Originally Posted by
juliep
1. Since I use my passport card as everyday ID, do I have to return it by mail when I renew, or can I keep it? Can I also keep the passport book when I renew, or just say I lost it, and not have to appear personally to renew?
MSP Economist covered most of it, but I wanted to say that this (saying you lost it) is not a good idea.
If you declare that your old passport book is lost, when you want to renew your passport book you WILL have to come in person to a passport agency or passport acceptance facility and basically have to apply for a passport as if you are a first-time applicant, including bringing in proof of identity and proof of US citizenship.
(You will also have to fill out the DS-64 form declaring how you lost your passport, which asks for details on when and how it happened.)
The whole reason you don't need to come in in person when renewing a passport book is that you send the old book in, so they can compare the photos and information in the old book with your new form and new photos and be sure it's the same person. If your book is lost, of course you have to come in in person to verify your identity.