This is a privately owned website and not a government agency. Click to learn more.

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

Replacing an expired passport that has been well used

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 6 weeks for standard service or up to 3 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.

Expired Passport Renewal FAQ

Is there still an official record of my expired passport? Question: Hello--I'm applying for a new passport because my former one expired years ago. I can't find my old passport to use as identification, so ...

How long do I have to renew my passport? Question: I want to confirm what I read. My passport will expire on March 27, 2011. I have no urgent need to renew it at this time. I read that I ...

Can I renew an expired passport by mail? Question: My passport expired on Feb 7, 2011. Can I renew it by mail and expedite the processing as I am planning to travel out of the country in a month....

Renewal of 18-Year-Old's Passport Question: Married parents and 18-year-old's passports all expired Jan 2010. Do both parents need to accompany the child to the USPS passport office to renew ...

Which form do I use to get another passport? Question: I had a passport but I cannot find it. It got packed away in a move. It is probably almost expired because I think I got it in 2000. Do I apply ...

Renewal of expired official passports Question: My wife and I both had official (red) passports in addition to our blue tourist passports...while stationed overseas as DOD civilians. The ...

Renewal question for passport that expires soon Question: My passport expires at the end of this month - if I don't get it to you in time can it still be "renewed" or do I have to go through a different ...

Submitting an Expired Passport for Renewal Question: Do I have to submit my most recent passport (will expire in 6/2011) when I renew or can I submit a prior passport that expired in 1999? I ...

Click for expedited passport courier service in 24 to 48 hours!.

Expedite Your Passport Now! Click to Call for Expedited Service!