Renewing a U.S. passport while living abroad involves several separate steps: completing and printing the correct form, obtaining a photograph in the specific American format, paying the government fee and arranging DHL shipping and return delivery.
Collect Corner can guide you through the complete process.
Standard adult passport renewal
To renew a U.S. passport using the standard DS-82 form, your most recent passport must:
- Be available to submit with your application
- Be undamaged, other than normal wear and tear
- Never have been reported lost or stolen
- Have been issued within the last 15 years
- Have been issued when you were aged 16 or over
- Be in your current name, unless you can provide the required name-change documentation
We will check your circumstances before starting to make sure that a standard renewal is the correct process for you.
Collect Corner passport assistance
In-store assistance: €100
Visit us in Sotogrande and we will guide you through the complete standard adult renewal process.
Our assistance includes:
- Completing and printing the DS-82 application form
- Checking the supporting-document requirements
- Helping you use the U.S. government payment website
- Helping you access the specialist system used for DHL passport deliveries
- Generating the DHL shipping and return labels
- Checking that the application pack is ready for shipping
- Preparing the application for secure delivery to the U.S. Embassy in Madrid
You will need to review and sign your own application.
Remote assistance: €150
We can provide the same assistance remotely to clients anywhere in Spain or elsewhere in the world.
For applications made from Spain, the completed application is sent to the U.S. Embassy in Madrid. If you are applying from another country, we will check the requirements and submission address for the relevant U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
What you need for remote assistance
To use our remote U.S. passport assistance service, you must have access to a printer.
During the process, you will need to print:
- Your completed passport application form
- Your U.S. government payment confirmation
- The DHL shipping and return labels
The application form must be printed on single-sided paper. We will guide you through each step, but we cannot complete the remote process if you do not have access to a printer.
U.S. passport photographs
You will need one printed passport photograph measuring 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm).
This is a specific American format. A standard photograph for a Spanish or European passport is not the correct size.
If you are visiting us in Sotogrande, we can recommend a local photographer who is familiar with the U.S. passport photograph requirements.
Government fees
The current U.S. government fee for a standard adult renewal is:
- Passport book: US$130
- Passport card: an additional US$30
- Passport book and card: US$160
The government fee is paid directly through Pay.gov. We will help you use the payment website and print the confirmation that must be included with your application.
Government fees may change.
DHL shipping fees and labels
DHL shipping fees are not included in Collect Corner’s assistance fee and are not paid to Collect Corner.
They are paid directly through the dedicated website specified by the U.S. government.
We will help you make the payment and generate both DHL labels: one for sending your application and current passport to the U.S. Embassy, and another for the secure return of your new passport.
Receiving your new passport at Collect Corner
You can arrange for your new passport to be delivered securely to Collect Corner.
The fee is €10 per item received. In most cases, everything is returned as one item.
If you prefer to complete the application yourself
You are very welcome to complete your U.S. passport application yourself and use only the Collect Corner services you need.
- We can print your forms, payment confirmation or DHL labels for €1 per page
- We can help you access the specialist system and generate the required DHL labels. A €10 administration fee applies
- DHL shipping fees are paid separately through the dedicated website specified by the U.S. government
- Once you have your prepaid DHL labels, you can bring your completed application and documents to Collect Corner for onward shipping to the U.S. Embassy in Madrid
Children, first-time passports and other applications
Children under 16 cannot renew an existing U.S. passport. They must make a new application in person.
First-time applications and some applications involving lost, stolen, damaged or older passports may also require a different form and an appointment at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Contact us before proceeding and we can review the requirements and explain whether we can assist.
Important information
Collect Corner provides practical administrative assistance with the application, payment and shipping process.
We are not affiliated with the U.S. Department of State, any U.S. Embassy or Consulate, or DHL. We cannot influence application decisions or processing times.
The U.S. Embassy in Madrid currently advises that passport processing usually takes approximately four to six weeks, but this may vary.
Do not book travel until you have received your new passport.
How can we help?
Whether you need assistance with the complete renewal, help generating your DHL labels or simply somewhere secure to receive your new passport, our experienced team is here to help.
Visit us in Sotogrande or use our remote U.S. passport assistance service from anywhere in Spain or elsewhere in the world.
Contact us on WhatsApp at +34 676 431 843 to discuss the assistance you need.
