Limited Validity Passport Issuance & Replacement
A limited-validity passport is exactly what it sounds like. It is any regular passport that is issued with less
than full validity which is 10 years for those age 16 or older and 5 years for minors under 16. The reasons a limited-validity are as follows:
The process to replace a limited-validity passport with a full-validity passport depends where and why it was issued.
Issued Inside the U.S.
If the limited-validity passport was
issued less than two years ago, submit the following by mail (if in the United States) or in person at an
embassy/consulate (if overseas):
- Form DS-5504
- Your limited passport
- One color passport photo
- Your naturalization certificate
Note: There are no fees if you paid the fees when you applied for your limited passport (unless you request
Expedited Service)
If the limited-validity passport was
issued more than two years ago, submit the following in person at an
acceptance facility or a
passport agency:
- Form DS-11
- Your limited passport
- Valid ID and photocopy of that ID
- One color passport photo
- Your naturalization certificate
- All applicable fees
If the limited-validity passport was
issued less than two years ago, submit the following by mail:
- Form DS-5504
- Your limited passport
- One color passport photo
- Physician letter stating your have undergone appropriate clinical treatment
Note: There are no fees if you paid the fees when you applied for your limited passport (unless you request
Expedited Service)
If the limited-validity passport was
issued more than two years ago, submit the following in person at an
acceptance facility or a
passport agency:
- Form DS-11
- Your limited passport
- Valid ID and photocopy of that ID
- One color passport photo
- Physician letter stating your have undergone appropriate clinical treatment
- All applicable fees
If the limited-validity passport was
issued less than one year ago, submit the following by mail:
Note: You will not have to submit any fees unless you request
Expedited Service.
If the limited-validity passport was
issued more than one year ago, submit the following in person at an
acceptance facility or a
passport agency:
- Form DS-11 (or DS-82 by mail, if eligible)
- Your limited passport
- Valid ID and photocopy of that ID
- One color passport photo
- Your original or certified name change document (no photocopies or notarized copies)
All applicable fees
Issued Outside the U.S.
If the limited-validity passport was
issued less than one year ago, submit the following by mail (if in the United States) or in person at an
embassy/consulate (if abroad):
Note: You will not have to pay any fees if you paid the fees when you applied for your limited passport (unless you request
Expedited Service).
If the limited-validity passport was
issued more than one year ago, submit the following in person at an
acceptance facility or a
passport agency:
- Form DS-11 (or DS-82 by mail, if eligible)
- Your limited passport
- Valid ID and photocopy of that ID
- One color passport photo
- All applicable fees
Processing times outside the United States varies. Please visit the website of the U.S. embassy or consulate general through which you will be applying for information about how long it will take to get a full-validity passport.
Routine service in the U.S. takes 4-6 weeks. Expedited service at an acceptance facility or by mail takes up to 3 weeks. Applications submitted at regional agencies and centers are processed within 8 business days. Applicants who need to replace their limited-validity passport quickly but are unable to visit a regional agency can authorize a
third party to submit the application form.
Click here to get your passport expedited in 24 to 48 hours.
Expedite Your Passport Now!
Comments: Have Your Say
Leave us a comment in the box below. Please do not include phone numbers or e-mail addresses.