Passport Renewal - FAQ's

You’re allowed to renew your passport within five years after its expiry if it was originally a 10-year adult passport. This extension does not apply to temporary or children’s passports. During this period, the renewal process is streamlined compared to applying as if it were the first time. Ensure to check the most current guidelines and procedures for renewing an expired passport, as these can change.

Remember, an expired passport cannot be used for travel, and some countries require that your passport be valid for at least six months beyond your planned date of departure from the country you are visiting.

Passports for minors, issued before their 16th birthday, have a five-year validity period. Unlike adult passports, these cannot simply be renewed; a new application is necessary for each renewal until they reach 16.

Note: For expedited processing of a minor’s passport through our services, opt for the “child passport” option for children under 18. Keep in mind, specific conditions apply for those aged 16 and 17.

The U.S. Department of State advises citizens to initiate passport renewal roughly nine months prior to its expiry. This is due to the common international travel requirement of having a minimum of six months remaining validity on your passport. Additionally, consider the standard processing duration of 6-8 weeks. Should your passport lack the requisite six months’ validity and your travel date is approaching, our expedited service can assist in renewing it promptly.

No. If your passport has suffered significant damage, such as extensive water exposure, torn pages, unauthorized punctures, detached pages, a detached or absent cover, or any other questionable marks, it cannot simply be renewed.

Only 10-year passports in good condition qualify for renewal. Verify the issue and expiration dates on your passport’s data page near your photo. For passports not meeting these criteria, you must initiate a new passport application process.

Each time you apply for a passport, you’re required to provide a recent photo, not more than six months old, as per the strict guidelines of the Department of State. For best results, it’s advised to have your photo taken by a professional at locations such as CVS, Walgreens, or a similar photo service.

No, a US passport’s old and renewed passport numbers are not the same. Each passport has a unique number, and the old number becomes invalid when a passport is renewed. The new passport number is valid for 5–10 years.

In certain cases, it’s possible. While specifics can vary by country, some will let you travel using a valid visa in an expired passport alongside a new, valid passport. Always verify the policies of the destination country to ensure compliance.

You must travel with both your new and old passport, and the name and other personal data should be the same in both passports. Your nationality, as indicated in the new passport, must be the same as that shown in the passport bearing the visa.

Your previous passport, once canceled, will typically be returned to you, unless the U.S. Department of State finds it damaged. The old passport may not arrive for up to 8 weeks after you receive your new passport. Retaining your old passport is advisable as it serves as evidence of your citizenship.

You have three options for renewing your passport by mail.

1. 6-8 weeks is the standard processing time through the post office.
2. 3 weeks if you are using Expedited processing at the post office.
3. 2-15 days if you use an expedited passport service like Rushed Passport.

When renewing your passport via the post office, you’re essentially mailing your application to the National Passport Processing Center, not renewing it on-site.

Standard processing times can vary between 6-8 weeks, with an expedited option cutting it down to days. Alternatively, passport expediting services offer a more rapid turnaround, from 1-15 days, by ensuring your application is either mailed overnight or directly submitted at a courier office for immediate processing, depending on the service speed chosen.

To update the name in your passport, use Form DS-5504 if your passport was issued less than a year ago. For passports older than a year, you must apply for a Passport Renewal using DS-82 form. Along with the application, submit the legal document showing your name change (like a marriage certificate or court order), your current passport, and any other required documents to complete the update process.