Home to one of the fastest-growing international in the United States, Houston is a convenient place to start an international journey. Hundreds of international flights leave from George W. Bush Intercontinental Airport each day, carrying travelers all over the globe. Soon, when flights from Houston to Auckland, New Zealand commence, the airport will become one of only four in the world that offers service to all six continents.

In other words, living in Houston means living with the world at your doorstep. But to actually see it, you’ll need a valid passport. If yours has expired, no worries: this guide will help you through the process of getting a passport renewal in Houston, step by step.

Passport Renewal by Mail

Most Houstonians are eligible to apply for a passport renewal by mail.  You can replace an expired or expiring passport by mail as long as all of the following statements are true:

  • Your current passport is in your possession, has never been reported lost or stolen and is not damaged.
  • Your current was issued after your 16th birthday AND it was issued less than 15 years ago.
  • If your name has changed since your last passport was issued, you have the necessary legal documents to support your name change request.

If you’re eligible to renew by mail, submit all of the following to the address listed on the passport renewal form:

  • Your current passport
  • A completed copy of passport renewal form DS-82
  • One new passport photo
  • A check to pay the required fees

Houston Passport Acceptance Offices

If you aren’t eligible to renew by mail, you’ll need to apply in person at one of the city’s 29 passport acceptance offices. These tend to be located in post offices and other government buildings; you can find the closest one to your home or work by visiting the Department of State’s website.

Houston Passport Agency

The standard processing time for a passport renewal application is about six weeks. If you pay an additional $60 expedite fee, you can cut streamline the process somewhat, but it will still take about three weeks to get your passport.

If you are traveling sooner than that, you can make an appointment at the Houston Passport Agency office, located in the Mickey Leland Federal Building on Smith Street. This office can issue emergency passports and passport renewals within 24 hours, but the downside is that the office is only open by appointment only and has limited operating hours between 8:30 am to 3:00 pm.

A more convenient option is to use a private passport expediting company like RushMyPassport. We hand-deliver your paperwork to the Department of State for processing in as little as 24 hours.  Contact us today for quick, courteous passport renewal help!