Got An Expired Passport - Don't Cancel Your Plans

After people obtain their passports, they either use them constantly or just throw

them into the back of their desks, saving them for the day when they eventually take that dream vacation abroad. If that day comes, the person often opens the passport book only to find that the passport has expired. An expired U.S. passport doesn't have to be a cause for stress because they can easily be renewed either via mail or in person.

One way to determine how long a passport is valid is to figure out when the passport was originally issued. If an individual was issued a passport when they were sixteen or older, then the passport is good for ten years. If, however, the individual was fifteen or younger, then the passport is only good for five years. Because some countries do not accept newly issued or re-issued passports, it would be wise to renew a passport several months in advance. The standard is nine months.

An expired passport will need to be renewed if an individual wants to travel abroad. The individual can go about this process in one of two ways. An individual can do this through the mail if the they meet certain requirements. For instance, a person's soon-to-be expired passport will have to be undamaged and sent in the mail. Coinciding with this, the passport has to have been issued 15 years ago or earlier. The name on the passport must be the same as the person's current name, as well. Those who were under fifteen when they acquire their passport do not qualify for the mail-in option.

To be able to renew the passports application by mail, the applicant must complete the proper form. Again, this can be found online with a simple search through the government site. Once the form is found, the individual has the option to fill it out online or to print it to fill it out in pen. After this portion has been completed, the individual must mail the application as well as other information to the correct offices.

If they do not qualify for the mail-in option, meaning he or she acquired it over 15 years ago, then the individual must appear at a government facility to renew the passport. A form different from the mail-in form needs to be completed. When they go to submit this form, he or she will also need proof of citizenship to the U.S., primary identification as well as a copy of the primary identification, two copies of the same photograph, and then payment for the fees. Check online for specific stipulations.

The passport will most likely take about six weeks or a little less to be processed. There are faster ways of getting this done through the government, such as an expedited service that can perform the same task in about half the time. There are independent expediting institutions of business, as well, that can complete the job within a day. This will cost more money than just the governmental fees, though.

U.S. citizens who reside in Canada may renew their passports by mail. U.S. citizens residing in other countries excluding Canada must renew their passports at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. A directory of the locations of these facilities may be found online.

by: Ben Pate

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