Should I renew my expired passport or apply for a new one?

by Brenda
(Irving, Texas, United States)

Question: I am going to Cozumel in May 2010. My passport expired in 2006. Should I renew or apply for a new one?

Answer: You can renew your passport by mail if it was issued within the last 15 years. If your passport expired in 2006, then it was issued less than 15 years ago assuming you were not a minor at the time. Note, passports issued to minors cannot be renewed. If you were under age 16 at the time your passport was issued you will have to apply for a new one.

Note, your passport must not be damaged if you want to renew it by mail. Finally, you need to include legal proof of name change if your name is now different from that on your current passport.

For full instructions, please visit the web page below.

Renew Passport by Mail

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