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How is the new expiration date on a passport renewal calculated?

Question: Does the new expiry date for a renewed passport come 10 years from the application date or 10 years from the date the old passport will expire? Meaning, I have several passports to renew for my family. Some will not expire for another 10 months so I will be willing to do them in 2 batches if I will lose those 10 months on the new passport.


Answer: Validity is calculated from the date the passport is issued. If you apply early, you will lose the remaining validity in the passports you have. However, the Department of State encourages Americans to apply for renewals approximately 9 months prior to the expiration dates in their passports. The reason is twofold.

One, it can take up to 3 months to renew a passport. Estimated processing time is 4-6 weeks. While it is sometimes completed more quickly, several factors can contribute to longer processing times such as the submission of unacceptable documents and passport photo or errors on the application forms. Such lengthy processing times are not the norm but it can happen.

Two, many countries require at least 6 months validity in a passport before they will grant a visa or, if no visa is required, permission to enter.

Combining the possible 3-month processing time with the 6-month validity requirement gives a total of 9 months. Nine months prior to the expiration date is the earliest you should apply.

When you submit the renewal applications really depends on your travel plans. If you plan to travel prior to the expiration date on the passports, be sure to verify the validity requirements for the countries you plan to visit and apply for renewals accordingly.

Comments for How is the new expiration date on a passport renewal calculated?

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Renew passport too early
by: Key two

Question: My passport will expire on Sep 11 next year. If I renew it now when will be the expiration date of my renewed passport?

10 years from the issue date?

Or since I renewed it too early (earlier than the recommended nine months before the expiration date), will it be the original expiration date?

BTW, my current passport is never lost or damaged. I plan to submit it along with the renewal application.

Answer: Your new passport will be valid for 10 years from the new issue date.

Renewed passport expiration date
by: Anonymous

Question: Hi, I just renewed my passport and I only received one year until it expires. On my last passport, I was given ten years. Are there any changes that I was unaware of or did I fill out the wrong application (DS-82)?

Answer: You used the correct form and full-validity passports are still issued with 10 years of validity. Please contact the NPIC at 1-877-487-2778 regarding this issue. It may just be a printing error or it could be another issue.

It won't let me renew my passport online
by: Dee

Question: Hi my passport was issued on 1/4/2013. It expires 1/3/2023. I'm trying to renew online however it won't let me submit the application because "Your passport book does not have a validity of 10 years (calculated from the Issuance Date to Expiration Date)."

Does this mean I have to wait for it to reach 10 years and expire before I can renew it? Thank you.

Answer: The online renewal system is still in its testing phase and some errors in the program can be expected. Your issue may be one of them. We recommend renewing by mail instead.

New Passport
by: Dorian

Question: I lost my passport and paid for renewal. The date of issue was August 17, 2022, but it expires on August 16, 2023. Why did I spend the full amount, only to have an active passport for only a year?

Answer: Hi, Dorian. In some cases, the loss of a previously-issued passport results in the issuance of a limited-validity passport as a replacement. The reason for this should be in the letter that came with your passport. You may also contact the NPIC at 1-877-487-2778 for clarification.

Validity/Expedite
by: Anonymous

Question: Hello. Is it possible to make a passport renewal appointment for international travel within 14 days when your current passport doesn't expire for several years? I know you can renew your passport at any time during its validity, but I am not certain whether this is still compatible with the expedited appointment for int'l travel within 14 days. Any guidance you can provide would be appreciated.

Answer: Yes, you may still request expedited service. However, an appointment does not guarantee a successful application. You may or may not be issued a new passport.

Quick Question
by: Anonymous

Question: Hello. I just received my passport in the mail yesterday and listed as my "Date of Expiration" is 03 OCT 2022, which was 4 days ago. I have no clue what to do and have a trip upcoming at the end of the month. Any advice?

Answer: It could just be a printing error. Please contact the NPIC at 1-877-487-2778 for an in-person appointment to have the error corrected.

Unexpired Passport, not lost - just not accessible
by: Anonymous

Question: My passport is not exactly lost. It is in storage in Georgia and I am currently in Illinois. It has one or two years before expiring. I need it, or a birth certificate (also in storage) to obtain an IL DL. Can I renew w/o surrendering the old passport? Do I report it as lost, even though I know it is somewhere in a storage unit. I don't have plans of going back to GA any time soon. And I will not have a Birth Certificate.

Answer: The actual passport needs to be submitted in order to apply for renewal. If you report the passport as lost, you need to submit a new application and use your birth certificate as proof of citizenship.

In place of your birth certificate, you may submit a file search request, the result of which will be used as your citizenship evidence. Something should be on file since you have been issued a passport in the past. A file search costs an additional $150 on top of the application and execution fees. Expedite and express delivery fees are optional. All fees mentioned except the expedite fee are non-refundable.

Valid date
by: Anonymous

Question: My passport was first issued 2006 and renewed in 2016. Is it valid?

Answer: You should check your passport's data page. It will have the expiration date printed on it. If the passport was issued with full 10 years validity, it should be valid until 2026.

Current or New Passport
by: Anonymous

Question: My current passport will expire on December 22, 2022.

I already renewed it today and the release of my new passport will be on the 13th of September

I am planning to have a US tour this coming October 15, 2022, to November 15, 2022.

Question: what passport should be used in booking my ticket, my CURRENT passport or the NEW passport?

Answer: You should use the passport that you will be using for entry into the United States. Please contact the CBP for more information.

Israel
by: Anonymous

Question: We have a trip to and from Israel arriving in Israel on 08/22 (leaving the US on 08/21) and departing Israel on 09/01 (arriving in US on 09/02). Our passports expire on 02/20 next year. There is no issue with the expiration date, correct? Thank you!

Answer: Yes, there should not be any issues. However, some airlines have been known to deny boarding if your passport has less than 6 months of validity left. Because of this, we recommend that you contact the airline you are flying with to make sure they will let you get on the flight.

Can we renew US passport early like in 2022 for current passport expiring in 2026?
by: Anonymous

Question: Is it possible to renew US passport early like in 2022, even though the passport has validity till 2026?

Answer: Yes. You may renew a passport anytime during its validity and up to five years after it expires.

Renew before expiration date
by: Anonymous

Question: My trip is on August 15th and my passport expired on June 25th. I renewed it on June 24th. Do I have to wait another 6 months before I can travel abroad or does validation continue over to the new passport because it didn't expire?

Answer: You may use your passport as soon as you receive it. Passports are immediately valid once issued. It does not matter if you renewed before it expired or if you renewed five years after it expired.

Month of Issuance on Passport
by: Anonymous

Question: My EXPEDITED passport renewal app was sent to DOS via FedEx Overnight on 06/01/2022. I am traveling to a country that requires passports to be dated 6 months in advance of the travel date. My travel date is 12/15/2022. Will renewed passport be dated when received by DOS (June) or when issued which could be July 2022?

Answer: You may have been confused with the entry requirement. Immigration will be not concerned as to how long your passport has been valid. They will be concerned over how long of validity your passport has left.

Your passport's issue date will be around 5 to 7 weeks after it is received by the processing center.

Expiration date determination
by: Anonymous

Question: You recommend renewing a passport 9 months before expiration, but then figure the expiration date for the new passport from the issue date. Doesn't seem right to me. Should be 10 years from the current expiration date if renewing it within 9 months of the expiration date as you recommend.

Answer: The recommendation is from the Department of State. You may opt to renew your passport anytime during its validity and up to five years after it expires.

If you would like to make recommendations, please send feedback to the National Passport Information Center.

Passport renewal
by: Anonymous

Question: My old passport was issued in 2004, and it expired in 2014. Do I have to re-apply in person or can I just renew it through the mail?

Answer: You can only apply for a renewal by mail 5 years after your passport expired. It has been over 5 years so you need to apply in person for your new passport.

Renewal
by: Anonymous

Question: My passport expired 5 years ago today. Can I still renew if I renew by today?

Answer: Yes, you may.

Passport renewal eligibility
by: Anonymous

Question: My passport was issued on Oct.1.2007, expired on Sept.30.2017. Am I still eligible to renew my passport?

Answer: Yes, you may still send your passport for a renewal by mail.

Expired passport renewal
by: Anonymous

Question: Passport was issued 6/6/2007, expired 6/7/2017. No changes - still eligible for renewal or do I have to start over?

Answer: Since it has not been over 5 years since your passport expired, you may still apply for a renewal by mail. But you need to do it before 6/7.

Please mail the following to the address on the form:

1. Form DS-82
2. Expired passport
3. One new passport photo
4. Payment for fees:
-Application: $110
-Expedite (optional): $60
-1 to 2 days delivery (optional, recommended): $18.32

Passport renewal
by: Anonymous

Question: My passport was issued on Jan 19 2007 and expired on Jan 18 2017. Now that it is February of 2022 my passport is 5 years and one month old. Can I still renew my passport by mail or do I have to reapply in person?

Answer: You now need to submit a new application in person.

New Passport Requirements

Schedule an Appointment

Renewing my Passport
by: Anonymous

Question: My passport expires on August 22. Will it still be valid for my trip to Dubai on March 24 to 29?

Answer: Unfortunately, your passport falls one month short of the UAE's 6-month requirement. You need to renew your passport quickly to make it to your planned trip.

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Our passports
by: Anonymous

Question: Our passports were issued Jan 13 due to exp July 23. Will I be able to use them on Sept 22.

Answer: You cannot use an expired limited passport for travel.

4 months left in my passport
by: Anonymous

Question: I’m leaving for the Maldives with a layover in Turkey on February 8. My passport expires in June. Will I need a new passport?

Answer: Yes, you need to renew your passport. The Maldives requires that your passport have at least 6 months beyond your planned date of departure from their country.

This close to your travel date, the only place that can issue your passport is a regional agency. Please call 1-877-487-2778 for an appointment. Walkins are now allowed.

Renewal password
by: Lola

Question: I will travel to Honduras, Central America on February 26 and my passport expires in July. Do I need to renew my passport? I am an American citizen.

Answer: Yes, you need to renew your passport. Honduras requires that you have at least 6 months of validity remaining on your passport. Your passport falls short of this requirement.

Since you're leaving in a little over a month, you need to expedite. Expedited renewal by mail currently takes 5 to 7 weeks, excluding mailing times. This may be cutting too close to your travel date so your best course of action is to apply through a private courier. Our partner, Rush My Passport, can get your renewal completed in about 4.5 weeks.

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Passport Expired July 09, 2017
by: Anonymous

Question: My passport expired on July 09, 2017, and was issued on July 10, 2007. Can I still renew my passport or do I have to apply for a new one?

Answer: You may still apply for a passport renewal by mail since it has been less than 5 years since the previous one's expiration.

Get Passport Fast

Routine service currently takes 8 to 11 weeks. If you pay for expedited service, it will be down to 5 to 7 weeks. If you have any plans to travel, we recommend that you wait until you receive your new passport before making any final arrangements.

Issuing date change
by: Juan

Question: Hello, I lost my passport, which was issued in June 2021 and will expire in June 2031. If I reapply for my passport now, will the issuing date and expiration date be changed? Or is it at that time?

Answer: Hi, Juan. Your new passport will have a new issuance and expiration date.

Traveling to Belize
by: Anonymous

Question: I will be traveling from the United States to Belize December 1-5. My passport expires on January 25. Will this be an issue when I get to Belize? I’m worried it’s too late to renew and get a passport back before Dec. 1.

Answer: You should be okay. Your passport only needs to be valid for the duration of your stay in Belize.

Expiration
by: Bill

Question: If my passport expires in 2022, Does that mean it's good through 2022?

Answer: Provided that it meets the entry requirement of your destination country, you may use your passport for travel until the expiration date indicated on the data page.

Expiring Passport
by: Anonymous

Question: My wife is traveling to Greece from 9/26 - 10/7 and France from 10/7 through 10/11 before returning to the US. If her passport expires 1/5 (7 days before the three-month requirement from Greece), will she be ok or do we need to apply for an expedited new passport?

Answer: Her passport falls short of the requirement. Please contact the embassies of Greece and France to find out if they have an agreement with the U.S. government to extend passport validities to 6 months beyond it's original expiration date.

Expiration
by: Anonymous

Question: I am traveling with my 12-yr-old from NY to Mexico from February 19th - 26th. His passport expires July 10 next year. Do I need to renew his passport prior to our trip? I would be giving up 10 months on his valid passport now.

Answer: There is no need to apply for a new passport for your child. It still meets Mexico's requirement of a valid passport upon entry.

Can I travel international with an expired passport
by: Anonymous

Question: My passport expired two months ago and I have a hard time scheduling an appointment with the passport agency to expedite my passport. TSA said I should be okay to travel internationally because my passport is valid for one year after the expiration day. The airline denied me from flying. They claimed if my passport expired then is no longer valid. Why there is a conflict of opinion between the airline and TSA?

Answer: There is no statement anywhere on TSA's website stating passports are valid one year after their expiration date. The person you spoke to may not have been an official from TSA.

A passport expires on its indicated expiration date and can no longer be used for travel beyond that date. You cannot travel internationally with an expired passport.

Travel to Poland
by: Anonymous

Question: Hi, my US passport expires on September 20. I also have a valid Polish passport which I will use to enter Poland. I planned my trip to Poland in mid-July and staying for 2 weeks. Do I have to renew my US passport in order to come back to the US on July 31st? Thank you.

Answer: There is no need to renew your U.S. passport before your trip. You may depart and re-enter the United States using your American passport and enter and depart Poland with your Polish passport.

You can renew your U.S. passport when you get back from your trip. Travel safe!

passport new expiration date
by: Anonymous

Question: If my passport is expiring on March 4, 2020, and I decide to renew it in 4 years in 2024, will the new expiration date be in 2034 or will it revert back to 2030?

Answer: The expiration will be 10 years after date of issue so if you apply in 2024, the passport will expire in 2034.

Expiration and travel to Canada
by: Anonymous

Question: My children's passports expire August 31, 2020. We are traveling to Canada (by car) on 2/8/2020, returning on March 1, 2020. Do I need to renew their passports before we go?

Answer: There's no need. You may travel between the United States and Canada as long as your passports are valid.

Passport expiration 3 months after stay
by: Roger

Question: I will be travelling to Mexico October to December and then January through March next year. My passport expires June 10. Will Mexico allow me to come in in January?

I'm nervous about mailing my passport with my renewal application and not getting in back before I leave in late Oct.

What should I do?

Answer: You should be able to travel between the United States and Mexico as long as your passport is valid. Please contact the CBP for more information.


Travel to Italy
by: Anonymous

Question: Planning on traveling to Rome in December and renewing my passport in September. Is the travel possible?

Answer: Routine processing takes 6 to 8 weeks. If you apply soon, you should have your passport in plenty of time before your trip.

Issue and expiration dates
by: Anonymous

Question: I’m going to go renew my passport tomorrow. Will I know tomorrow what my issue and expiration date will be on my renewed passport at that time?

Answer: You will not. These information will be available once you receive your passport.

Travel to Israel
by: Anonymous

Question: I will be leaving for Israel in September of this year. I am currently waiting on my renewed passport. Will I have trouble getting into the country if my new renewed passport was issued 5 months and a half months before my travels?

Answer: That will not be a problem.

Expiration
by: Anonymous

Question: I will be going to Graduate school in England September 2020 to September 2021. My U.S. Passport expires 05/21/2021.

How can I renew my passport early so that I can stay in England past 05/21/2021? Is it possible to renew early with these circumstances?

Answer: Yes, a 10-year adult passport can be renewed at any time during its validity. You may renew your passport as early as now.

Does the month make a difference with renewal?
by: Anonymous

Question: Does the month of issue make a difference when it comes to whether or not you can renew by mail?

For example:
My passport was issued on February 2003 and it is now June 2018. If I go by the year alone it is exactly 15 years. But, if I go by the month and year it is too late.

Answer: The exact date is the basis of whether or not you may still apply for a renewal. So as an example:

If your passport was issued on June 11, 2003, you can no longer apply for a renewal starting June 12, 2018.

Expired Passport - Do I need to bring old one
by: Anonymous

Question: My passport was issued around 1997, and expired in 2007. It was never lost or stolen while valid - however, now in 2017 I do not know where it is. 1) Can I apply for renewal (assume not). 2) Do I need to bring my old passport if I apply for a new one? (Traveling abroad end of October)

Answer:

1) No, you cannot apply for a renewal.

2) You do not need your old passport to apply for a new one. You need the following:

-Form DS-11 (completed but unsigned)
-Evidence of U.S. citizenship
-proof of identity
-Photocopy of ID
-One new passport photo
-Payment for fees

How long before my passport expires?
by: Vincent

Question: I thought my passport expired ten years from my issue date. I was just at the post office to ask about renewal and they told me it was fifteen years from issue. Can you please clear this up? Thank you.

Answer: A U.S. passport issued to an applicant age 16 or over is valid for 10 years from the date of issue. The passport can be renewed by mail up to 15 years from the date of issue. In other words, you can renew your passport by mail up to 5 years after it expires. You do not need to visit an application acceptance facility in order to renew a passport by mail. Send a completed form DS-82, previously-issued passport, a recent passport photo and payment for fees. You can find a complete list of requirements and addresses to which you can mail your application here.

Does Ireland have a six month restriction on renewed passports?
by: Anonymous

Question: Does Ireland have a six month stay regarding renewed passports or will it be valid for use it to go to Ireland as soon as it is renewed?

Answer: Your passport is valid for travel to any destination from the day it is issued. Some countries require a passport have at least 6 months validity remaining beyond duration of stay. That is, the passport must still have at least 6 months validity before it expires. Ireland only requires a passport be valid for the duration of stay.

Renewal for expired passport
by: Anonymous

Question: My passport expired on May 30th, 2015. Will there be a penalty if I renew it 3 mos from now?

Thank you.

Answer: There is no penalty for renewing your passport a few months after it expires. If you wait more than 5 years after the expiration date, you will no longer be able to renew by mail but will be required to apply for a new passport at an application acceptance facility.


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About the Author: For over 20 years, the U.S. Passport Service Guide team has helped hundreds of thousands of travelers with their travel document questions and shared advice about how to make traveling abroad simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.

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