Expired Passport - How to Renew an Expired Passport

Have an expired passport and want to know whether you can apply for a passport renewal or need to get a new one. It can take up to 6 weeks or more to get a passport replaced unless you request expedited service which will get it done in up to 3 weeks. If you need it faster, apply for the replacement at a regional agency or go through a registered expediter to replace passport in 24-48 hours.

U.S. passports are valid for 10 years when issued to applicants ages 16 or older and for 5 years when issued to minors ages 15 or younger. For example, my most recent passport was issued on October 4, 2006. Therefore, the expiration date is October 3, 2016. The State Department Passport Services recommends that U.S. citizens initiate the renewal process approximately nine months before the passport’s expiration date. Therefore, I need to submit the renewal application in January 2016.

Due to the length of a passport's validity, it is quite common for the travel document to expire without the holder noticing, especially for those who are not frequent travelers. One resource that is available to keep this from happening is the free Passport Renewal Reminder service. Individuals, families and corportations can sign up to receive notice when it is time to get their passports renewed.

If your passport has expired and you have an international trip planned for the near future, then you need to get your passport renewed. You cannot travel with an expired passport. You travel document must be valid in order for you to enter any foreign country. And no country will issue you a travel visa without a current, valid passport.

How long after a passport expires can you apply for renewal by mail? You can apply to get your passport renewed by mail if your passport was issued not more than 15 years ago, it is not damaged and you were not a minor when it was issued. This means that passports issued to adults can be renewed by mail up to 5 years after the passport has expired. It also means that applicants who were minors when they received their currently expired passports must appear in person at a passport office to apply.

Applying for a passport renewal by mail is certainly a lot easier than applying for a new one. You don’t need as many documents and you don’t have to appear at a passport application acceptance facility. But there are other requirements that you need to meet and precautions you need to take.

For more information, visit how to renew an expired passport. If you have a travel emergency and need to get your passport fast, visit Fastport Passport - Online Passport Service.