So my wife and I had passports expire a couple years back so we need to renew ours, though we thought why not get the kids each one as well then we can take a family trip out of the country maybe soon. I have pictures from Walgreens and found some forms online, but am wondering if it’s best to do online or mail then in? What’s a good timeline? I gotta round up some birth certificates it looks like at least for the kiddos. I think I can send in my old one and that will be okay unless I read it wrong.

Children Under 16
All children under age 16 must apply for a passport in person with two parents or guardians using Form DS-11. You cannot renew your child's passport using Form DS-82. Passports for children under age 16 are only valid for 5 years.

https://travel.state.gov/conte...ssport/under-16.html

Follow the directions. Both parents need to be there or have the notarized form from the missing parent. Our office scheduled appointments were necessary but that was last year.

If by a couple of years you mean two years, then you and your wife can renew by mail. If over five years however, then you'll have to make an appointment at a facility that accepts passport applications, like a Post Office or City Hall, and renew in person.

Having said all that, if these are your kids' first passports, you have to visit a passport facility in person to complete the application for an original passport for them in any case.

Well shoot I guess I can’t read. I guess I’ll make an appt for the kids. Thanks!

Lincoln, I don't see where you are located but it is worth doing some internet sleuthing to see which passport centers are the least busy.

Ask around. You may only have a few choices nearby but it is helpful to know which place is best.

Don't make the mistake I did and forget ONE little thing that causes you to drive back home and reschedule your appointment. (It was my fault. I set everything out and missed a document.)

I made some phone calls today and it helped more than my internet search. Thanks for the advice guys. I think I have the materials I need now so I can make an appt as I have a facility in town so that helps. They said passports are running 12-16 weeks right now!

Check with your local Post Office. Mine has "passport" day where they take pictures help with form, etc.
One stop shop.

If you are doing a family together make sure there is separate payment for each application. Now what happened to me was years ago and was truly absurd. But it could happen again. Basically had 4 of us, 2 parents, 2 minors. Went to post office. For sake of easy numbers I’ll just pretend each application was $100.

We purchased a money order for $400 and sent it in. That’s how postal employee told us to do it. So whoever received our package at the government pulled out the applications. They took my application from the top and then the money order. Apparently they decided $400 was too much to process my application and decided they should expedite mine. So instead of $100 they withdrew $130 (I don’t recall actual amount). Now there is $270 left on the money order. They look at the 3 application left and decide there isn’t enough money to process so they reject all 3. My passport came in a week. My wife and kids had to send more money to cover the extra.

Now we weren’t truly responsible for that extra $30 but try getting a government employee to understand how they messed up and make it right. Not a chance. We just paid it.