Can You Renew Your Passport After it Expires?
Most United States passports issued to adults are valid for ten years. If you don't travel frequently, it's easy to stash yours in drawer somewhere and not even think about renewing it until it's already well past its expiration date. What then? Is it too late to renew your passport after it expires?
Expired Passport Renewal
Whether or not you are eligible to renew your expired passport without going through the application process again depends on how long ago it was issued. The Department of State will allow you to renew by mail as long as it was issued less than 15 years ago. So, in general, you have a 5-year grace period.
However, there are other qualifications you must also meet to qualify for a passport renewal:
If you meet all of those qualifications, follow the steps below to renew your passport:
Processing Time
If your passport has expired, you can't use it to travel. So, it's important that you have appropriate expectations for how long it will take to get your renewal.
Processing time for passport renewals varies depending on how busy the passport agency is. However, a good rule of thumb is to allow at least six weeks (preferably longer) for your application to be processed and the new passport sent back to you.
Expedited processing is available for an extra fee of $60. This does reduce processing time somewhat; however, you should still allow at least three weeks.
If you've already booked tickets out of the country and are leaving within the next two weeks, you are eligible to renew your passport on an emergency basis at one of the Department of State's 24 regional passport agency offices. You can also use this service if you're leaving within the next 4 weeks and you also need to get a visa for your destination country.
These offices are open by appointment only.
Expired Passport Renewal
Whether or not you are eligible to renew your expired passport without going through the application process again depends on how long ago it was issued. The Department of State will allow you to renew by mail as long as it was issued less than 15 years ago. So, in general, you have a 5-year grace period.
However, there are other qualifications you must also meet to qualify for a passport renewal:
Your passport must have been issued after you turned 16.
Your passport must be in good shape and still in your possession.
Your current passport must show the name you now use or you must have legal documents to back up your name change request.
If you meet all of those qualifications, follow the steps below to renew your passport:
Complete passport renewal form DS-82.
Send it in along with your current passport, one passport photo taken in the past 6 months and a check or money order to pay the renewal fees. If you need to change the name on your passport, also include your marriage certificate or the relevant court order.
Processing Time
If your passport has expired, you can't use it to travel. So, it's important that you have appropriate expectations for how long it will take to get your renewal.
Processing time for passport renewals varies depending on how busy the passport agency is. However, a good rule of thumb is to allow at least six weeks (preferably longer) for your application to be processed and the new passport sent back to you.
Expedited processing is available for an extra fee of $60. This does reduce processing time somewhat; however, you should still allow at least three weeks.
If you've already booked tickets out of the country and are leaving within the next two weeks, you are eligible to renew your passport on an emergency basis at one of the Department of State's 24 regional passport agency offices. You can also use this service if you're leaving within the next 4 weeks and you also need to get a visa for your destination country.
These offices are open by appointment only.
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