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The U.S. Will Stop Honoring Expired Passports As of July 1 — What to Know

The rule was initially implemented to help travelers navigate delays in passport processing due to the pandemic.

The State Department will no longer honor expired United States passports next month, ending a pandemic-era practice implemented due to delays in processing.

Starting July 1, travelers will no longer "be permitted to use your expired U.S. passport to return to the United States," the State Department wrote on its website. Previously, U.S. citizens who were abroad were allowed to enter the country if their passport had expired on or after Jan. 1, 2020.

"If your passport has expired, please contact your nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate to apply for a U.S. passport," the State Department added.

The rule was initially implemented to help travelers navigate delays in passport processing due to consulates and embassies being forced to cut back staffing. That led to an "unprecedented" backlog of passport service appointments.

In the U.S. alone, processing times topped up to 18 weeks and the State Department even removed the option to book last-minute appointments online for a time. Currently, passports are taking eight to 11 weeks to process, or five to seven weeks if travelers pay the expedited fee, according to the State Department .

Passport renewals have also gotten more expensive after the price increased by $20 last year. Now, it costs $130 to renew an adult passport, an extra $60 for expedited service, and an extra $18.32 for one to two day delivery.

While currently the most convenient way to renew a passport is by mail, President Joe Biden signed an executive order last year requiring the government to design a new digital system . Most passports expire after 10 years , but many countries require visitors to have up to six months of validity on their passports before traveling.

Travelers who do renew their passports now have the option to select an "X" as their gender on their application, indicating an "unspecified or another gender identity."

Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. When she's not in New York City, she likes to spend her time at the beach or exploring new destinations and hopes to visit every country in the world. Follow her adventures on Instagram .

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When and how to renew your passport, according to the State Department

Editor's Note

Even if you're an avid traveler, you might not be entirely aware of when your U.S. passport expires and how to renew it .

Rest assured: The process is relatively straightforward, and most applicants can easily do it online.

Here's everything you need to know about renewing your U.S. passport.

When should you renew your passport?

When timing your passport renewal, there are many dates to consider. I would argue the most important date to remember is six months before your passport expires. This is because many countries require travelers to have a minimum of six months of passport validity left at the time of entry.

As long as you submit your passport for renewal at least six months in advance, it should also cover your expiration and travel dates.

Additionally, remember that U.S. passports are valid for 10 years for most adults and five years for passports issued before the age of 16.

When you identify all of the dates for your specific circumstances, you should check current passport processing times , which change frequently.

Current processing times

If you do not have travel booked within the next two months, the agency advises you to renew your passport via routine service to receive it within six to eight weeks. For travel within the next two months, your best option is expedited service. For either option, you should tack on another two weeks for processing to begin and another two weeks for the passports to be returned.

Urgent travel

If you have international travel planned in the next 14 days, you have a few options to renew your passport. Your first option falls under the urgent travel category, which is for non-emergency travel within two or three weeks. In this case, you should attempt to make an appointment at a passport agency or center, either online or in person.

For life-or-death emergencies necessitating international travel within three days, you must provide documentation of a qualifying emergency circumstance to make an appointment. Do this online if you've not yet applied for a passport or via phone if you have applied.

Note that you can schedule these appointments up to two weeks prior to travel, but your appointment must fall within three business days of travel. Also, note that appointments for urgent travel are limited and cannot be guaranteed.

How should you renew your passport?

Most people are eligible to renew their passport via mail; this requires completing a Form DS-82 and providing a photo, your most recent passport and a check for the fees. Passport photos must meet the specified guidelines listed here .

All passport applications sent by mail must be transmitted via the U.S. Postal Service — no exceptions. If you use another carrier, your renewal package will be returned to you without being processed. If you're mailing your passport renewal application from Canada, you must use Canada Post.

If you meet one of four circumstances — including if you applied for a child under age 16, lost your passport or received your most recent passport 15-plus years ago — then you must renew your passport in person at a passport acceptance facility . Some facilities allow walk-ins, while others require appointments, so double-check your desired location's requirements.

How much does it cost?

Renewing your passport costs $130 for a passport book, $30 for a limited-use passport card and $160 for both the book and a passport card. If you plan to expedite your service, factor in an additional $60. You can also pay $18.32 for faster mailing.

Use the U.S. Department of State's online calculator to estimate fees for your specific renewal.

Bottom line

Remember that your passport number will change when you renew it, so you'll need to update your passport information for any Trusted Traveler Program membership online.

Passport processing times change throughout the year, but renewing your passport at least six months before travel should account for any processing delays.

Related reading:

• If you need a passport quickly, this service may be for you
• Best credit cards for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck
• Why you should renew your child's 5-year passport after 4 years
• Here are 15 places you need a visa to travel with an American passport
• Guide to getting your child's passport
• Easy ways to check your passport application status

Don’t Let Your Passport Expiry Date Ruin Your Travel Plans

T here is something crucial you need to check before setting off on a trip to another country. It’s your passport . However, simply possessing a passport isn’t enough. You need to check the validity period on your passport.

Most countries require at least six months of passport validity, so you may not be able to travel if your passport is near its expiration date.

So, what should you look for when checking your passport? Let’s take a closer look.

Every passport has a validity period, which is crucial. You can’t travel abroad with an expired passport. Moreover, many countries require at least six months of passport validity, which is a point you must check. However, not all countries have this requirement.

Japan, a popular destination for Korean tourists, has less stringent requirements. As long as your passport is valid for longer than your intended stay, you can travel without issue. This means that if your passport has one month of validity left and your trip ends within seven days, you can enter the country. However, it’s better to have at least three months of validity remaining for safe travel.

Read more: North Korea's Sneaky Nuclear Submarine Project Revealed: A Cause for Concern?

For Hong Kong, you can travel if your passport has at least one month of validity remaining. The Philippines abolished its rule requiring at least six months of passport validity in July 2015. This means you can travel there anytime as long as your passport is valid. However, you might be denied entry when your passport’s validity is too short, so it’s recommended to renew it in advance.

Countries like France, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, and New Zealand require at least three months of passport validity.

Countries in Southeast Asia are the representative examples that require at least six months of passport validity. As they are popular among Korean travelers, it needs to be checked more carefully. Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Singapore, and Malaysia require a passport that is valid for more than six months. Taiwan also denies entry if there are less than six months of validity remaining.

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The United States is known for its strict entry requirements. When traveling to the U.S., it’s best to have at least six months of passport validity remaining. The same applies to Australia, the UK, Switzerland, Greece, and South American countries.

If your passport is about to expire or you lose it right before your trip, you can obtain an emergency passport. An emergency passport is a non-electronic passport issued for urgent needs. You can apply for urgent needs when there is not enough time to get an electronic passport. You can also get an emergency passport at Incheon Airport or check with your local airports to see if they have this service.

However, before applying for an emergency passport, you need to check whether it is recognized by the country you are visiting. If it doesn’t, you will not be able to enter. In Vietnam, emergency passports are only recognized for those returning home or transiting. In the Philippines, you can leave the country with an emergency passport, but you are not allowed to enter. Countries like Thailand, Laos, Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, Macao, China, Indonesia, and Singapore recognize emergency passports.

Malaysia only allows emergency passports for departures and transits. In the Philippines, you must have a departure flight ticket. In Taiwan, you need to obtain a landing visa at the consular office of the Foreign Ministry at the airport before proceeding with immigration procedures.

There is another thing you need to check carefully with your passport. If your passport is damaged, there may be restrictions with entering and leaving the country or issuing tickets. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs particularly emphasizes the importance of the personal information section. Stains or damages can cause problems. Also, unrelated stamps or drawings could make the entry denied.

Southeast Asian countries are particularly sensitive to passport damage. Malaysia will deny entry if there are insufficient visa pages or damages in the passport such as drawings or damage in the inner pages. Vietnam will deny entry if the passport is damaged. In Thailand, even minor damage can lead to entry denial.

These incidents occur more often than you might think but are not known publicly. You may not be able to travel abroad because of a stain that you have not noticed. So, before you set off on an international trip, take your time to thoroughly check your passport.

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clock This article was published more than  1 year ago

What to know about getting a U.S. passport in 2023

How to get a passport for the first time, renew online and avoid expediting scams

This story has been updated.

The pandemic threw a wrench in the well-oiled machine of U.S. passport services. When offices were closed, in-person appointments were impossible and employees were figuring out how to work in the new normal, millions of passport applications got backlogged .

Fast forward a few years, and we’re not quite back to the 2019 norm, but we’re nearly there. Wait times are down and you can take your own photos (if you follow directions with military precision).

We checked in with the State Department to get the latest information on what travelers need to know about passport services.

How to replace — and avoid — a damaged passport

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Acceptable forms of id include, things to consider.

• Check with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), a local embassy or consulate to see travel documents you may need to re-enter the U.S.
• Passport processing often takes several months and could take longer during peak travel periods, be sure to give yourself plenty of time to get a valid passport before you travel
• Some international destinations require your passport to be valid for a certain amount of time after your date of departure – review your destination’s passport validity requirement
• Expedite your check-in for future trips when you scan and verify your passport within Delta FlyReady
• U.S. citizens do not need a passport to enter U.S. territories like Puerto Rico; they can enter with a valid government-issued ID
• Aim to arrive at the airport at least 3 hours prior to departure when traveling to an international destination, you must be checked in at least 1 hour ahead of your departure
• If you’re a permanent resident of the United States, be sure to bring the appropriate documentation to be able to re-enter the U.S.
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Make an Appointment at a Passport Agency

Life-or-Death Emergencies

Courier and Expeditor Companies

• Life-or-Death Emergency  (appointment required)
• Urgent Travel  (appointment required)
• Routine      
• Consider the total time it will take to get a passport when you are booking travel. Processing times + mailing times (up to 2 weeks) = total time to get a passport

Expand the options below to learn more about the four types of service we offer.

You may qualify for a life-or-death emergency appointment if you need to travel to a foreign country in the next 14 days because your immediate family member outside of the united states: has died, or is dying (hospice care), or has a life-threatening illness or injury see our  life-or-death emergencies  page for more information on how to make an appointment. , choose this service if you are traveling in less than 2-3 weeks.  if you have not applied, make an appointment online . your appointment at a  passport agency or center  must within 14 calendar days of your international travel date.  if you have already applied, call us at 1-877-487-2778 .  we cannot guarantee an appointment will be available. , choose this service if you are traveling in less than 8 weeks from the date you submit your application.  expedited service takes 2-3 weeks and does not include mailing times. mailing times may add 2 weeks on to the total time to get your passport. you can  expedite at an acceptance facility  or  expedite a renewal by mail .    , choose this service if you are traveling over 8 weeks from the date you submit your application. routine service takes 6-8 weeks and does not include mailing times. mailing times may add 2 weeks on to the total time to get your passport. you can apply for routine service at an  acceptance facility  or  renew by mail .    , contacting us if you have urgent travel.

Check your application status online and sign up for updates via email . How our contact center can help you depends on your travel date, and if you have applied or not yet applied...

I have already applied and do not have my passport

I have not applied yet, reminders for contacting us.

• Representatives are available Mondays through Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time, and Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time. We close on federal holidays.
• Our primary number is 1-877-487-2778 . Se habla español.
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing, call 1-888-874-7793 for TDD/TTY teletype services.
• Contact your local U.S. embassy or consulate if you are applying outside the United States.

Traveling in Less Than 2-3 Weeks

Make an appointment at a passport agency or center.

We have two types of appointments:  Life-or-Death Emergency Service  and  Urgent Travel Service .

• You cannot walk in without an appointment. 
• We do not charge a fee to make an appointment.
• You cannot transfer your appointment to another customer.

Life-or-Death Emergency Service is for customers who are traveling in the next 14 days for a life-or-death emergency. Learn more on our  Life-or-Death Emergency page .

Urgent Travel Service : If you have not yet applied , make an appointment online . Your appointment must be scheduled within 14 calendar days of your international travel date.  

If you have already applied , call 1-877-487-2778 . 

We cannot guarantee an appointment will be available. 

Traveling in Less Than 8 Weeks

Expedite a first-time application or a child's application.

Use our Form Filler to fill out Form DS-11, print it, and apply in person at an acceptance facility.

• Follow the steps on how to apply in person
• Include your $60 expedite fee with the application fee
• Find an  acceptance facility  near you to submit your application

Expedite a Renewal or Name Change by Mail

Use our Form Filler  to fill out your form, print it, and mail it to us.

• Use Form DS-82 if you are renewing. Follow the steps on how to mail your application
• Use Form DS-5504 if you are changing your name within one year of a passport being issued. Follow the steps on how to change your name.
• Include the $60 expedite fee with the application fee
• Write "EXPEDITE" on the outside of the envelope you send us

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i pay for faster delivery and return shipping.

Yes. You may choose one or both of the following shipment options:

• Delivering application to us : Pay for Priority Mail Express for faster shipping. The price for this service varies depending on the area of the country.
• Returning the passport to you : Pay $19.53 for 1-2 day delivery. This means you will receive your passport   1-2 days after we send it. Include this fee with your check or money order payable to the U.S. Department of State. Do not submit a return envelope to us with postage pre-paid. 

You may receive your passport and supporting documents in separate mailings. If you are renewing a passport card, we will send it to you via First Class Mail. We do not use 1-2 day delivery services if you only applied for a passport card.

What are passport expeditors and courier companies?

Passport expeditors and couriers are companies that are not part of the U.S. Department of State. These companies submit applications and pick up passports for customers. 

These companies may charge several hundred dollars in extra fees. They may also charge for services that we offer for free such as making an appointment and filling out a form. 

To learn more about these companies, visit our  Passport Expeditor and Courier page .

Make An Appointment at a Passport Agency or Center

We have two types of appointments: Life-or-Death Emergency Service and Urgent Travel Service . You cannot walk-in. 

Not Yet Applied : Make an appointment online

Already Applied : Call  1-877-487-2778 . Se habla español.

If you are deaf or hard of hearing, call  1-888-874-7793  for TDD/TTY teletype services. 

Processing Times

Routine:  6-8 weeks*

Expedited: 2-3 weeks and an extra $60*

*Consider the total time it will take to get a passport when you are booking travel.  Processing times only include the time your application is at a passport agency or center.

• It may take up to 2 weeks for applications to arrive at a passport agency or center. It may take up to 2 weeks for you to receive a completed passport after we print it. 
• Processing times + mailing times = total time to get a passport

Urgent Travel:  See our Get my Passport Fast page. 

Requesting a Refund for Expedited Service

Service Commitment

If you paid the $60 fee for expedited service when you applied and you did not receive expedited service, you may be eligible to  request a refund  of this fee. We cannot refund any other passport fees or your travel expenses if you miss your trip.

Non-Refundable Fees

We cannot refund the passport application fee and the execution fee. By law, we collect both fees and keep them even if a passport is not issued.

Learn more about refunds on our Refund of Expedited Passport Fee page.

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Watch CBS News

Surge in passport demand causing lengthy delays, jeopardizing summer travel plans for many

By Kris Van Cleave , Analisa Novak

May 18, 2023 / 7:54 AM EDT / CBS News

Summer travelers  planning to venture abroad are facing a new challenge: delays in obtaining passports. An unprecedented surge in demand for travel documents has created a growing backlog, causing significant delays for those hoping to embark on  international trips .

The standard passport renewal process, which typically takes a few weeks, can now take up to 13 weeks, while even expedited service could take up to nine weeks.

The prolonged waiting times are generating travel anxiety for many.

Kylie Parker, a sophomore at the University of North Carolina, applied for a new, expedited passport several months ago, confident she had ample time before her summer study abroad program. But with her departure for Portugal and Italy now just days away, her passport has yet to arrive, jeopardizing her plans.

"I spent eight hours on the phone with the passport office," she said. "No calls though, no calls back. No contact with anyone. I'm very scared of missing my travel abroad trip."

After finally reaching someone, Parker was informed that the only available in-person appointments were on the same day in New Hampshire or the following morning in Minneapolis, which would require an overnight flight costing $1,200. Alternatively, she said she was told she could schedule an appointment in Seattle, Washington, on the day she is scheduled to depart for Europe.

Caleb Monticalvo, a frustrated applicant from San Francisco, was told to seek other locations.

"They said the only other option was to go to another location, which is in L.A. I'm not going to go to L.A.," he said.

Last year, the State Department issued nearly 22 million passports, a record high. Demand for passports has surged by at least 30% this year, as 500,000 applications come in weekly. 

Despite increased funding and more staff, the backlog has persisted and wait times continue to grow. That has prompted passport offices across the country to see long lines as travelers rush to  secure their travel documents  before an anticipated record-breaking summer travel season. 

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in March that he recognizes the problem and has implemented a task force  to coordinate efforts focused on resolving the issue.

"We're offering overtime, opening satellite offices to help HQ in processing times," Blinken said.

Henry Harteveldt, a travel industry analyst, said the delays are not only "alarming," but also "embarrassing."

"I know people have been waiting three, four months to get their passports fulfilled," he said.

Travelers should be aware that even passports expiring in 2024 could pose a problem, as many countries require the document to be valid for up to six months beyond the arrival date.

• United States Department of State

Emmy Award-winning journalist Kris Van Cleave is the senior transportation correspondent for CBS News based in Phoenix, Arizona, where he also serves as a national correspondent reporting for all CBS News broadcasts and platforms.

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