Table of Contents:
- Do Passports Expire?
- How Long is a Passport Valid After Expiration?
- What to Do If Your Passport Expires
- The Importance of Renewing Your Passport Before It Expires
- Choose Vital Records Online for Certified Document Copies
Are you preparing to travel? If you’re like 72% of adults in the U.S., the answer when asked if they traveled in 2024 is yes. Whether for business or personal reasons, most trips require a bit of preparation. A pivotal item to have up to date is your passport.
If it’s been a while since you last traveled, you might be wondering, “Do passports expire?” Let the vital records experts at Vital Records Online answer this important question. You’ll also learn how long a passport is valid after it expires.
Do Passports Expire?
Yes. When your passport expires depends on when it was issued. Adult passports are those issued when you were 16 or older. A child’s passport is one issued to anyone under 16 years old.
According to the governing body for passports in the United States (the U.S. Department of State):
- An Adult’s Passport: Good for 10 years
- A Child’s Passport: Good for 5 years
It’s worth noting that the physical condition of a passport has nothing to do with its expiration. An adult’s passport that’s in perfect condition but over 10 years old is still expired. A tattered portfolio that’s only three years old is usable.
How Long Is a Passport Valid After Expiration?
Your passport is no longer valid immediately after it expires.
That said, a few exceptions to this rule exist. However, they’re only applicable in certain situations. A recent example would be during the COVID-19 pandemic when people who were U.S. citizens were allowed back into their country, even when temporary mandates left these residents traveling with a recently expired passport.
In other words, exceptions are rare and mostly tied to emergency situations.
Is There a Grace Period for Passports?
No. There is no grace period for passports. Once your passport expires, as most countries won’t allow foreign entrants with expired passports, you’re no longer eligible to travel internationally. That’s why learning the answer to the question “Do passports expire?” is critical before planning any international trips.
Some jurisdictions and government bodies allow people to utilize grace periods—a brief interval where someone’s penalties are waived for not meeting a deadline so long as they satisfy their obligation during this period.
An example of a grace period would be a state letting residents have a one-month grace period to renew their vehicle registration. If someone’s registration expires in January, a state could give this person through February as a grace period before penalties are incurred.
What To Do If Your Passport Expires
Don’t fret if you have an expired passport. Resolving this issue is a simple fix. Just follow the steps below.
1. Complete the Proper Form
As many government agencies do, the U.S. Department of State utilizes form names to categorize the submissions it receives. In this case, you’ll need Form DS-82.
You’ll need Form DS-11, which lets you apply for a new passport if any of the following apply:
- Your passport was issued over 15 years ago.
- Your passport is excessively damaged.
- You lost your passport.
- The U.S. Department of State issued your passport when you were under 16.
2. Get Your Supporting Information
Completing this step can vary slightly depending on whether you need a new or renewed passport. In this case, you’ll need:
- A proper passport photo
- Your most recent passport
- Your payment
Tip: Do you want an easier way to obtain certified document copies used for passport renewals? Choose Vital Records Online. Our streamlined online application process takes the hassle out of getting vital records.
3. Submit Your Application
Your final step is to gather and submit your supporting documents and application. Most people choose to mail in this information and renew an expired passport by mail. In limited cases, and depending on where you live, an in-person renewal could be a possibility.
The Importance of Renewing Your Passport Before It Expires
- Not Dealing With Disrupted Plans: Imagine spending weeks or months planning the perfect vacation to find that you can’t board your flight because of an expired passport!
- Avoid Paying Expedited Fees: If you’re under a tight deadline to obtain your passport, you’ll likely need to pay for an expedited service that costs more than a standard one.
- Following International Rules: Regulations about who a country will let in vary from one location to another. Certain countries won’t let you enter their country if your passport is nearing expiration, even if it isn’t currently expired.
As a rule of thumb, Vital Records Online recommends traveling with a passport that’s at least six months beyond when your trip ends. Some countries will not allow entry for a person with a passport expiring within six months.
Choose Vital Records Online for Certified Document Copies
Let’s wrap up what you learned in this post. Does a passport expire? Yes. How long is a passport valid after it expires? It isn’t—a passport is invalid immediately after expiring.
Do you need help tracking down and obtaining your vital records? Vital Records Online’s streamlined online application process lets our experts securely find and send certified copies of birth certificates, marriage certificates, and other necessary documents required to renew your passport.
Discover 8 tips for a stress-free passport renewal here.