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How can I check to see if I have a valid passport?

Question: My last passport expired May of last year. I thought I had renewed it but now can't locate it. Do I need to renew or can I get a duplicate?

Answer: First of all, the State Department does not issue duplicate passports. You can apply for a passport record if you want to discover if you applied for a renewal. The fee is $150 and it takes up to six weeks.

Here is the dilemma. If you did NOT renew the passport you currently posses, then you are eligible to renew it by mail. All you need to send is completed Form DS-82, the passport, a passport photo and payment of the fee. For a complete list of requirements, click the link below.

Apply to Renew Passport

If you did renew the passport and, then, lost it, you are not eligible to renew it by mail. You need to report the lost passport by calling the National Passport Information Center and, then, appear in person to apply for a new passport. For instructions, click the link below.

Get a New Passport

Comments for How can I check to see if I have a valid passport?

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Passport flagged as lost or stolen but it isn't
by: Anonymous

Question: Family member is detained at the Paris airport. Customs is saying the passport is flagged as lost or stolen but it isn't and never was. He went for vacation but was taken to a 4 by 4 holding cell. Please HELP!

Answer: Please contact the U.S. Embassy in Paris to seek assistance for your relative.

Lost and found
by: Patricia

Question: I lost my passport then found it. I do remember that I called to have info on what to do but I don't remember if I report it lost on the same call. I never fill out the form of lost or stolen. How can I confirm if is still valid? Expiration date is on July 2019.

Answer: Hi, Patricia. If you did not report the loss during the call, it is most likely still valid. Also, you only need to submit Form DS-64 when you are applying for a new/replacement passport.

To confirm, you may go to the closest international airport and have an official check your passport.

Can someone report my passport lost/stolen?
by: Mist

Question: I have a family member who is angry that I’m traveling and knows my personal info such as birth date and SS number. Could they report my passport stolen and invalidate it without my knowledge?

Answer: Yes, it is possible. Please call customer service at 1-877-487-2778 for more information.

HELP!
by: Anonymous

Question: I thought I lost my passport, "reported" it but never received an email confirmation. I did get a reference number online when I reported my passport lost.

I ended up finding it. I want to know if it's still valid. I need to know if I can use it or if the confirmation was correct and that it was reported lost. I called 877-487-2778. NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO HELP. I called a few times over and over again. They give me different information every time. Is there some way online to check to see if my passport is still active or a different number to call to have them check and tell me if it's still active or not. And also give me information on how I can get a new one.

Answer: You cannot report a passport lost online. You can fill out Form DS-64 online but you still need to print, sign and mail it to the address on the form. Since you have not done these things, your passport is most likely still valid.

You may confirm by having it checked at an airport gate.

Proof of passport
by: Anonymous

Question: How do I obtain proof that I never had a passport?

Answer: You may request for a passport record which may take a long time. Please call customer service at 1-877-487-2778 for more information.

Filled out but didn't sign DS64
by: Anonymous

Question: I misplaced my passport and filled out a lost passport form online. I did everything until the last step which was to print out a signature page, sign it, and scan it in. (Before I could sign and scan the page in, I was informed that someone had found my passport). Is my passport still valid? Or did everything the form I submitted without the signature invalidate my passport?

Answer: You cannot submit Form DS-64 online. You still need to print. sign and mail the form to officially report your passport as lost. Your passport is most likely still valid.

Passport still valid
by: Anonymous

Question: I found out the IRS has mistakenly flagged my SSN saying I’m deceased which I am not. I have a trip to Europe next month. Is my passport still valid?

Answer: It should be. Please contact the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 for further assistance.

Passport valid
by: Dominique

Question: How do you know if your passport is revoked to travel?

Answer: Please call customer service at 1-877-487-2778.

If one owes taxes is passport void?
by: Anonymous

Question: On the news they stated if you owe taxes your passport is going to be void. My friends and I are going to Canada for the weekend in May and one of my friends was concerned because she owes taxes from a couple of years ago. How do we find out if her passport is good as well as the others and my own?

Answer: What you may have heard is about the IRS certifying tax debt and possibly revoking passports or denying passport applications of those who owe more than $50,000 (including interest and penalties).

As of last report, the IRS started tax debt certification in January 2018. The IRS is required to notify you in writing at the time the IRS certifies seriously delinquent tax debt to the State Department. The IRS is also required to notify you in writing at the time it reverses certification. The IRS will send written notice by regular mail to your last known address.

If your friend has not received any notices or knows for a fact that her tax debt does not amount to be considered seriously delinquent, she should be allowed to travel to Canada and get back to the United States using her current valid passport.

Check for valid passport
by: James SS

Question: To whom may it concern, I'm inquiring if I was issued a passport back in the 90's. I've had multiple addresses and might have lost it during moving. Thank you for your time.

Answer: You need to request for a passport record in order to find this information out.

Peace Corps Passport
by: Anonymous

Question: I returned from my Peace Corps service in 2015, but my Peace Corps passport is still valid until 2020. Can I use this passport or does the Peace Corps notify the consular section and make the passport void?

Answer: You cannot use the Peace Corps passport for personal travel. You need to apply for a new 'civilian' passport to use for leisure or business travel.

How to check if my passport is active.
by: Edwin alarcon

Question: Checking my passport because I fly the 25th of this month and would like to know if I could fly out.

Answer: There is no system in place where you can check the validity. The expiration is printed on the data page of your passport.

DID I EVER HAVE A PASSPORT?
by: Maryann L

Question: Hello, I don't remember if I had a passport in my maiden name of Maryann (Last Name). It would have been many years ago. Please advise.

Answer: We edited out your last names and email address for your security.

You may request for a passport record through the National Passport Information Center. Please call 1-877-487-2778 to speak to a customer service representative.

Lost Passport then Found It
by: Anonymous

Question: I lost my passport. I called in to report it lost. I was told to fill out a form and fax it in. I never filled out the form and months later my passport was found and returned to me. Again, all I did is call in and reported the passport lost/stolen but DID NOT fill out or submit a form. Is my passport still valid? It is not expired.

Answer: Since you already reported it lost, your passport is already deactivated and can no longer be used for travel.

You need to submit Form DS-64 with your application for a new passport.

Need to find out validity of my passport please!
by: Anonymous

Question: I am a US citizen currently residing in France for a couple of years. I lost my passport a couple of days ago and went to the police to report it. It has since resurfaced. I'm trying to find out if it is still valid after having been reported it to the police. It's unclear to me because of the language barrier whether there was a form submitted to invalidate my passport. When I call 877-487-2778 I'm told they can't help me because I'm not in the US, and when I call the consulate in France they give me the number 877-487-2778. Can anyone help me?

Answer: If you have not officially reported the loss of your passport online or by submitting Form DS-64, your passport is still valid.

Showing invalid number
by: Arvind

Question: Hi my name is Arvind HXXXXX KXXXX. Just two months ago I came from Saudi Arabia after completing my employment contract. Now when I am searching for new job and writing my passport number in the requirement box,
it shows 'YOUR PASSPORT NUMBER IS NOT VALIDATE'. How is this happening? My passport is valid until 2020.

Answer: We edited your name for your security.

If you were able to travel with your passport and re-enter the United States, the problem may not be the passport. Please contact the administrator of the website you are using to find out if they are having issues.

Need to know
by: Clive

Question: I don't know whether or not I have a passport.

Answer: If you have been issued a passport in the past, passport services should be able to pull up a record through a file search. The fee for this service is $150 and is non-refundable.

I can't locate my passport
by: BB

Question: I can't locate my passport and i have a cruise 29 Oct. how can I find me out if it is still valid?

Answer: Passports issued to adults are valid for 10 years. If you can remember when the passport was issued, you may be able to tell if that passport is still valid.

Having said that, you need to report the loss of your passport then apply for a new one before your trip. If you apply for expedited sevice now, you will get your new passport in 2-3 weeks.

Do I need a passport for the Bahamas?
by: Maurine

Question: I am taking a cruise to the Bahamas. Do I need a passport?

Answer: If you are taking a closed-loop cruise to The Bahamas -- one that starts in a U.S. city, travels to the Bahamas and ends in the same U.S. city, you may not need a passport. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency says this about closed loop cruises:

"U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises (cruises that begin and end at the same U.S. port) will be able to enter or depart the country with a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID. Please be aware that you may still be required to present a passport to enter the countries your cruise ship is visiting. Check with your cruise line to ensure you have the appropriate documents."

We recommend that you contact the cruise line you are traveling with to verify document requirements.

Valid passport
by: Anonymous

Question: I cannot find my passport and do not know the expiration date. How do I check if it is still valid?

Answer: Passports issued to citizens age 16 and above are valid for 10 years. If you remember when your passport was issued, count ten years and you get a approximate expiration year.

In case you find out that your passport is still valid, you need to report the loss by calling 1-877-487-2778 or by submitting Form DS-64.

Possible damage
by: Anonymous

Question: My passport has been in my pocket on hot days and some of the print on the front cover has faded slightly. All pages are in tact, as are the covers. wondering how to tell if it's been in too much heat or bent too much to be considered invalid.

Answer: What constitutes significant damage is ultimately decided by the officer who inspects your passport at ports of entry/exit. We recommend consulting an airline you have flown with in the past to see if your passport is still valid for travel.

Stumped
by: Anonymous

Question: I have a valid passport and I know the number and the expiration date. I do not have it in my possession right now and need to know the exact name it is under (whether or not I used my full name or just first and last). Is there a way I can get that quickly?

Answer: Passport details are protected under the Privacy Act. You have to submit a request for your passport information in writing, along with proof of your identity. Please call customer service at 1-877-487-2778 for more details.

Want to know if passport is still valid
by: Anonymous

Question: The only reason I am asking this question is because the last time we used our passports was in 2010 or 2012 but it will expire on March 04, 2018.

Answer: Yes, your passports are still valid. You may use them for travel until the expiration date.

However, you still need to check the entry requirements of the country/countries you plan on visiting to see if you have enough validity left on your passport.

Lost or Not? expire
by: Anonymous

Question: How can I determine if my passport has been reported as lost. I filled out forms online, but didn't submit anything. I also sent an email to the airport asking if they had found it. Then I found it myself. How can I determine if it is still valid?

Answer: If the passport has not been officially reported as lost, it is likely still valid. You may call 1-877-487-2778 to speak to a customer service representative.

Passport
by: Anonyjmous

Question: I have found my passport. Is it still valid?

Answer: Please check the data page of your passport. The expiration is indicated there. If it has not expired, it is still valid unless you reported it as lost or stolen. In which case, it is already invalidated and you need to apply for a new passport.

Do I need to renew or apply for a new passport?
by: Anonymous

Question: About 15 years ago I think I got a temporary passport, it was a half size sheet of paper with my info on it. I had to rush to get it for a surprise vacation to Mexico. Not sure if I need to renew or file for a new one.

Answer: If it was a temporary passport, it would have been expired for more than 5 years by now. You need to apply for a new passport in person at an acceptance facility. You will need the following:

1. Form DS-11 (completed but unsigned)
2. Evidence of U.S. citizenship
3. Proof of identity
4. Photocopy of ID
5. One passport photo
6. Payment for fees

Routine service takes 6-8 weeks to complete. If you pay for expedited service, you will have your passport in 2-3 weeks.

Passport lost and found
by: Anonymous

Question: I lost my passport last year, reported it lost/stolen, and found it a month later. I never received a confirmation email stating that my DS-64 form had been submitted successfully. Is there any way to check if my passport is valid? I'm wondering if maybe I didn't submit the form correctly.

Answer: Once reported lost, a passport is already invalidated and can no longer be used for travel. Please call 1-877-487-2778 to speak to a customer service representative.

Passport limbo
by: Anonymous

Question: Old passports were lost so forms mailed in for new ones. Then of course the old passports were found. We received an email that one of the forms (DS64) wasn't signed, so this would mean are old passports are still valid, correct? Is there a website or phone number of a service than can run your passport information to confirm it's valid?

Answer: Please call 1-877-487-2778 to speak to a customer service representative.

Lost then found
by: Anonymous

Question: I lost my passport and filled in the online form to report it missing then i found it a few weeks later. Is it still good or do I need a new one?

Answer: Once reported lost, a passport is already invalidated and can no longer be used for travel. You need to apply for a new passport.

Passport renewal
by: Mark

Question: I had a passport 30 years ago and have not used it for 30 years. Is it still good for a renewal or do I have to apply all over?

Answer: You need to apply for a new passport. You need to submit the following in person at a passport acceptance facility.

1. Form DS-11
2. Proof of U.S. citizenship
3. Proof of identity
4. Photocopy of ID
5. Passport photo
6. Payment for fees

Do I have a passport?
by: Ricardo

Question: Hi. My name is Ricardo. I am a US citizen and living on the USA my whole life. Believe or not, I never question myself if I ever had a passaport until know.

My parents passed away few years ago and I have no idea if they ever applied for me. I was searching information and it looks like you need to submit a true statement of what happened to your previous passport. Now, I am afraid if I request for a renewal I will get into trouble.

Answer: You will not get into trouble. Since you cannot state for sure that you had a passport, do not check the box on the application about previously being issued a passport. For new passport instructions, click here.

Is my passport still valid?
by: Anonymous

Question: I lost my passport and obtained a new one that was only good for one year. It is now expired. I just found my original passport but is it still good?

Answer: No, it is not. You need to apply for a new passport.

New Passport
by: Ade

Question: My son was born in the USA and he has a US birth certificate and passport. He has been living in the Phillipines for almost 7 years. His US passport expired in 2014. Could you please tell us how to save his US citizenship and renew his passport? My son is now 8 years old.

Answer: If your son has U.S. citizenship by birth, he will not lose it just because he lives outside the United States. Your son needs to apply for a new passport with both parents at the U.S. Embassy in Manila.

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