Should You Renew an Expired Passport or Apply for a New One?

Have an expired passport and want to know whether you can apply for a passport renewal or need to submit the application for a new one at an acceptance facility? The answer depends on how old you were when the passport was issued and how much time has elapsed since the expiration date. 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 age 16 or older when it was issued.

In other words, passports issued to applicants age 16 or older can be renewed by mail up to 5 years after the expiration date as long as the passport is not significantly damaged. Applicants who were minors (age 15 or younger) when they received their currently expired passports must appear in person at an application acceptance facility in order to apply for a new passport.

You cannot travel abroad nor apply for a travel visa with an expired passport. If your passport has passed the expiration date and you have an international trip planned, you need to get it replaced.

You can follow the instructions for renewing an expired passport by mail or applying for a new passport in order to get it replaced. Processing takes up to 12 weeks for standard service or up to 6 weeks for expedited service. If you have a travel emergency and need to get a passport fast or expedite a passport renewal, you can make an appointment at a regional agency. No time to visit the processing center? Get a third party to go for you. You can authorize a relative, friend, travel agent or an express passport courier.

Note, it is possible to use an expired passport as proof of citizenship when you apply for a new passport. So, if you don't intend to replace your expired passport now, you may want to hold on to it so that it is available when you are ready to get a new one.

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