How to renew Romanian passport?

Malaysian passport expires in Nov 2011; currently on OPT (which ends on Feb 2012). How do I renew my passport?

• I'm waiting on my OPT card to arrive and I will be applying for I-485 after my fiance and I finalize on a date for our wedding. My passport expires in November and I was told to renew it 6 months before the expiration. My F-1 visa however, ended last year (Dec 2010) but I was told that I'm still a legal immigrant considering that I'm on the OPT right now. Will it affect the process of the I-485 if i renew my passport before I get the I-485 done? Will the expired "F-1 visa page" still be on my new passport after I get it renewed? Will it be quicker if I get it done in NY (in person) instead of sending it to DC? Thank you for taking your time to help me out.

• Answer:

  Yes, you are still legal in spite of the expiration of your F-1 visa. It does not matter whether your passport is valid or not unless you are planning to travel to other countries. For as long as you remain in the US, the expiration of your passport technically wouldn't have any effect on the processing of your I-485 application. On the other hand, you may in some cases have to use your passport as an ID, so letting it expire may not be a good idea. If you get a new passport, obviously it will not have your old visa on it, which should not really matter to you - you can always use your old passport as a proof of entry, if you need one. (make sure they return your old passport when you submit your application for the new one). See the website of the Malaysian embassy or consulate for info on passport renewal - it seems it is going to take a few months to get your new passport: E.g.: http://www.kln.gov.my/web/usa_washington/passport_renewal