Renewing your USA passport

@NewBrazil

Cross-border paperwork can be confusing.

In Brazil, your CRNM residency card covers local ID and domestic flights; international trips usually require a valid passport. Caveat: U.S. citizens must use a U.S. passport for U.S. travel, and serious IRS debt can halt issuance. U.S. renewal does not ask for Brazil or U.S. tax returns; filing duties may still apply.

Next steps:

• Check your CRNM validity and address update.

• Keep your U.S. passport current for emergencies and re-entry.

• Confirm U.S. tax and FBAR/FATCA obligations with an advisor.

Happy to share more by PM or you can find us via the Expat.com Business Directory.

This is general information, not legal advice. For decisions, seek assistance from a qualified immigration attorney—either with our firm or locally. No attorney-client relationship is formed.

— Dante, Oliveira Lawyers

If you have a past IRS tax issue then should you go in person to the US Consult to renew your passport. The Tax issue being not paying in full a past tax. But it was in progress of  being resolved.

if your in Fortaleza they have a US consulate. I made a appointment to take my renewal for a passport and card. You can use a international credit card or Reals cash. Plus you will have to pay postage. They send it to Recife it then goes to Washington DC USA. They said it takes 6 to 8 weeks. I will do a update after my visit to the US Consulate.

01/19/26 I went through the same process at the US Consular Agency in Manaus that @NewBrazil did at the one in Fortaleza.

I just started my passport renewal process. I got a appointment at the US Consulate in Fortaleza. Went there January 26, 2026 the woman was very friendly and made the process very easy she was great. Just a note you need to have the 2 pages with photo filled out with your passport. Just my luck she had a problem with contacting with Washington. Since there was a server snowstorm happening at this time. I was prepared with cash which she had told me to have just in case my credit card didn’t work. The good news is your application is sent from Fortaleza to Recife Consulate in Diplomatic bag. She also gave me SEDEX instructions which could be done on line. Here my Luck complete this on Tuesday but the document would not be sent to Recife till Thursday. Now what next OH the US Government is shutting down on Friday. So here I am waiting to get SEDEX  confirmed when they will send the documents. Which I already been told will take 6 to 8 weeks. 😳

Update on my passport renewal. I started this January 26,2026. I went to the Fortaleza Consulate to send my documents and paperwork they were very helpful. It now February 26, 2026 just found this website

https://passportstatus.state.gov/Search

Was able to get confirmation they have printed my new passport and card February 13, 2026. So now just waiting for confirmation when it will arrive back here in Brazil at my address. When I receive it will give update to show how much time it took. Hope this help if you need to renew