A full-validity adult passport lasts ten years before it expires, thus necessitating renewal. On the other hand, children’s passports are not renewable, and minors must thus get new passports each time their previous ones expire. We look at how to renew an expired passport, the requirements that applicants must meet, and how you can rush the process.
How to Renew an Expired U.S. Passport:
You can renew an expired passport after the expiry date has passed. But because of the backlogs in state passport offices, passport validity requirements for visa applications, and the limited nature of blank pages, you can always renew a passport before it expires. Ideally, you should renew your passport nine months before it expires to account for the above issue. Here is how to renew an expired U.S. passport:
1. Check Your Eligibility
Before you can renew an expired passport, you must ensure you meet the renewal requirements as follows:
- You must have the passport: All passport renewal applications require your most recent passport, which is proof of U.S. citizenship and identification. Thus, if your passport is lost or stolen, you cannot renew it as you cannot present it in an original hard copy. Instead, you should get a new passport.
- Your passport should be in good condition: A key condition to qualifying to renew an expired passport is presenting your most recent passport in good condition. But what does this mean? Normal wear and tear, such as bending, is acceptable. However, significant damage and alteration like water damage, missing pages, and pen marks are unacceptable. If your passport has such damage, you should apply for a replacement instead and detail the reason for the damage.
- You should not have reported the passport stolen or lost: The passport renewal process hinges on valid passports, even though they are expired or out of pages. As such, invalidated passports are not acceptable to renew an expired passport. If you have previously reported your passport lost or stolen, it becomes invalid. So, even if you later find it, you cannot use it and should still apply for a new passport.
- You should have received the passport within the last fifteen years: Full-validity passports can only undergo renewal if they meet this timeline. Any passport issued outside this period is not eligible for the process. And you should thus apply for a new passport instead.
- You should have been at least sixteen years old when you got the passport: Minors do not get ten-year passports. Instead, they get 5-year passports which are not renewable after they expire. Thus, you cannot renew an expired passport you received as a minor, as it is not renewable. Instead, you should apply for a new passport as a first-time applicant and get a full-validity adult passport which you can renew via mail.
- You should not have changed your name or should have sufficient documentation to support the legal name change: People change their names for different reasons, including marriage or divorce. If you have undertaken such a name change, you can renew an expired passport if you have the legal documentation to show the change. Can you renew an expired passport without legal documents? If you lack such documentation, you must apply for a new passport.
- The passport should be full-validity: Adults are subject to full-validity passports that last ten years. You can renew an expired passport in this category. But if yours had limited validity, you cannot get a new passport using the renewal method. Instead, you must apply for a new passport.
Do you meet all the conditions above? If yes, you can move on to the next stage to renew an expired passport.
2. Submit the Renewal Documents
All passport renewal applications must comprise the following documents, which you should send to the state passport office for processing:
- A complete DS-82 form: This form enables you to update your passport information per your current status. It also allows you to choose the number of blank pages you need, if you want a passport card renewal included, and other details pertinent to your passport book. You should complete, review and sign it.
- Your most recent passport: You can only renew an expired passport that meets the abovementioned criteria. Check your passport to ensure it does not get flagged. Else, you will apply for a renewal that won’t go through after paying a non-refundable renewal fee.
- Two passport photos: You should also include two recent photos, which the passport office can use on your bio page. The photos should match the U.S. passport photo guidelines, e.g., your face and neck should be visible, you should wear minimal makeup, etc.
- Name change documents: This requirement applies to people whose names differ from those on their most recent passports. You must prove the name change is legal to renew an expired passport via mail. Else, you should apply for a new passport.
Once you have verified the details above, you should submit the documents plus the renewal fee to the state passport office to renew an expired passport.
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Can You Renew Expired Passport?
An expired passport is valid for renewal if it meets the passport renewal criteria. These include being in good condition, having full validity, and not being older than fifteen years. You can renew an expired passport after ensuring it matches all the required criteria. Else, you should get a new passport by replacing the previous one through the new passport application process.
How Long After a Passport Expires Can You Renew It?
Many people wait until after their passports have expired before renewing them. But this is not always necessary as the state passport offices allow you to renew your passport before it expires. This waiver allows you to get a new passport to meet visa requirements, avoid delays when you must travel, and get more blank pages.
But assuming the expiry date has passed, how long after a passport expires can you renew it? State passport offices cap the renewal age to 15 years. That means you should have gotten the passport less than 15 years ago. Reviewing the passport issue date can help you gauge how much time has passed. If the period has lapsed, you must apply for a new passport.
To be safe, you can renew an expired passport within the timeline to ensure its grace period does not lapse.
Where to Renew Expired Passport
If your passport has expired, you can renew it at the following locations:
- State passport offices: You can renew an expired passport by mailing your documents to the offices. You do not need to show up in person and can instead send the documents and the fee.
- Local acceptance facilities: If you do not qualify to renew an expired passport because of the renewal criteria, you should apply for a new passport. In this case, you must submit the documents at a local acceptance agent for verification before submitting your application.
Knowing where to renew an expired passport saves you a lot of time.
How Long Does It Take to Renew an Expired Passport?
Ideally, you should apply for a passport renewal nine months before it expires. Doing so allows you to skip the backlogs in state passport offices which can drag on for months. Most people wait several weeks leading into months to renew an expired passport because of these processing delays. And while the state offers an expedited option to renew an expired passport, it is also subject to the same delays and can still take months.
Luckily, Travel Visa Pro offers an expedited way to renew an expired passport and skip the lines. So, how long does it take to renew an expired passport with our service? We offer reliable and flexible timelines that range from a few days to weeks. You choose what works best for your needs, and we will get you a passport within that timeline!
How Much to Renew Expired Passport?
All passport renewal applicants pay a fixed application fee set by the state passport offices. Moreover, the cost to renew an expired passport can include other services like passport card renewals and expediting the process. Processing fees from expedited services vary based on how soon you want to renew it. Our website walks you through how much to renew an expired passport per chosen timeline to help you decide the best fit.
My Passport Expired 20 Years Ago: Can I Renew It?
The state passport office only allows you to renew an expired passport issued in the last fifteen years. Thus, a passport that expired twenty years ago is not applicable for renewal. Instead, you should apply for a new passport by presenting the following documents:
- A complete DS-11 form,
- Proof of U.S. citizenship and identification (your most recent passport serves this role when you renew an expired passport),
- A passport photo.
Before submitting the documents to the state passport offices, you should verify them at a local acceptance agent.
