When to Renew a US Passport Getting Near its Expiration Date?
Sep 10, 2018, 11:57 am
#16
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Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
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You will submit your old passport in the renewal process. They will invalidate it by punching two holes in the front cover, right through the machine-readable text at the bottom of the photo page. That makes it useless to carry around. Save it to impress possible future grandchildren with all the places you went before instant teleportation became cheap, as a memento for yourself, or as proof of identity in a few places that don't care if it's still valid or not - but its value as a travel document is zero.
I was just curious as to the renewal process above posted by Kathy. I don't remember having to bring in hotels or plane res and be within 2 weeks of an international trip. That doesn't make sense--I don't want to take a chance if my new one isn't going to be ready in time.
Sep 10, 2018, 12:00 pm
#17
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 229
I was just curious as to the renewal process above posted by Kathy. I don't remember having to bring in hotels or plane res and be within 2 weeks of an international trip. That doesn't make sense--I don't want to take a chance if my new one isn't going to be ready in time.
Basically you're not supposed to go to a passport agency just because you'd prefer to go in person rather than do it by mail (even though many people, myself included, would probably like that) so they impose those restrictions to make sure only those with immediate travel needs go.
Last edited by andrewesque; Sep 10, 2018 at 12:02 pm Reason: Minor details
Sep 10, 2018, 12:02 pm
#18
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP; HH Gold; SPG Gold; Hertz Pres
Posts: 99
To renew in person you must be traveling within two weeks, otherwise you have to do the mail in option.
Mine was due to expire in April 2019. I travel and work outside the US most of the time. I did not want to be caught in a 6 month validity situation, so I knew I would be stateside a few weeks this month and just did the expedite renewal.
i paid the expedite fee and the extra fee for Express return shipping. I mailed the old one in on a Wednesday and received my new one in the mail the following Thursday (this included the Labor Day holiday in between) So a week door to door.
You can also track your renewal status online and confirm your email online for status update emails.
Mine was due to expire in April 2019. I travel and work outside the US most of the time. I did not want to be caught in a 6 month validity situation, so I knew I would be stateside a few weeks this month and just did the expedite renewal.
i paid the expedite fee and the extra fee for Express return shipping. I mailed the old one in on a Wednesday and received my new one in the mail the following Thursday (this included the Labor Day holiday in between) So a week door to door.
You can also track your renewal status online and confirm your email online for status update emails.
Sep 10, 2018, 12:02 pm
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
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You don't need any of that (hotel/plane reservations, 2 weeks of an international trip) if you are applying by mail, which is the standard process for an adult passport renewal. The reason that you have to have all of that when you apply in person is because the in-person application process is intended to be reserved for those people who really do have last-minute travel needs come up and need a passport right away.
Basically you're not supposed to go to the passport application center just because you'd prefer to go in person rather than do it by mail (even though many people, myself included, would probably like that) so they impose those restrictions to make sure only those with immediate travel needs go.
Basically you're not supposed to go to the passport application center just because you'd prefer to go in person rather than do it by mail (even though many people, myself included, would probably like that) so they impose those restrictions to make sure only those with immediate travel needs go.
I'm going to GDL the weekend of 9/30 and not traveling international until 11/16 when I'm headed to BCN. I will do the mail in right after my GDL trip.
Thanks
Sep 10, 2018, 12:27 pm
#20
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
The Passport Agency is for close-in travel only. While I have never heard of anybody who was actually turned away, it is not worth the hassle. Because you are lucky enough to live so close to one, it is your backup should something go wrong with your mailed in renewal between 9/30 and 11/16.
I agree with the recommendation for obtaining a Passport Card at the same time. While you cannot use it for international air travel, it is useful backup ID and serves as easy proof of citizenship should you lose or have your passport stolen while overseas. It serves as the ID I leave at various security check points which require that the ID be left until one exits a building or other facility. If something goes wrong, it's not the sort of a crisis which a DL is.
I agree with the recommendation for obtaining a Passport Card at the same time. While you cannot use it for international air travel, it is useful backup ID and serves as easy proof of citizenship should you lose or have your passport stolen while overseas. It serves as the ID I leave at various security check points which require that the ID be left until one exits a building or other facility. If something goes wrong, it's not the sort of a crisis which a DL is.
Sep 10, 2018, 1:53 pm
#21
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
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Programs: oneword Emerald
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I just read that page. In order to get a passport I have to be traveling internationally in less than two weeks? 
I have to show proof of upcoming international travel even when just applying in person and not by mail? I don't remember that on my.last renewal in phx in 2009.
I have to show proof of upcoming international travel even when just applying in person and not by mail? I don't remember that on my.last renewal in phx in 2009.You don't need any of that (hotel/plane reservations, 2 weeks of an international trip) if you are applying by mail, which is the standard process for an adult passport renewal. The reason that you have to have all of that when you apply in person at a Passport Agency is because the in-person application process there is intended to be reserved for those people who really do have last-minute travel needs come up and need a passport right away.
Sep 10, 2018, 2:11 pm
#22
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 4
Try this website
There is a website that I used and got my passport in a few days. For a fee of course.
It's www.passportsandvisas.com
I don't trust the Post Office, these guys use Fedex (UPS?) and then they walk your documents to the processing center.
They also want you to be within 2 weeks of travel in order to expedite, but i just told them I was willing to pay and they let me. I was about 6 months from travel. I'll use them again for my husband's which is due in 6-7 months.
Great service, highly recommend it.
good luck.
It's www.passportsandvisas.com
I don't trust the Post Office, these guys use Fedex (UPS?) and then they walk your documents to the processing center.
They also want you to be within 2 weeks of travel in order to expedite, but i just told them I was willing to pay and they let me. I was about 6 months from travel. I'll use them again for my husband's which is due in 6-7 months.
Great service, highly recommend it.
good luck.
Sep 10, 2018, 2:44 pm
#23
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You will submit your old passport in the renewal process. They will invalidate it by punching two holes in the front cover, right through the machine-readable text at the bottom of the photo page. That makes it useless to carry around. Save it to impress possible future grandchildren with all the places you went before instant teleportation became cheap, as a memento for yourself, or as proof of identity in a few places that don't care if it's still valid or not - but its value as a travel document is zero.
Sep 10, 2018, 3:00 pm
#24
formerly known as Tad's Broiled Steaks
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,412
I use some of my expired/cancelled passports to meet my international travel document needs, and the value they provide: I don’t have to go through yet more visa application processes than I already do (a benefit due to many of the visas in the expired/cancelled passport still being valid for use as a visa); and some of the stamps and other notations in the expired/cancelled passports are still used by foreign authorities for migration-related purposes and/or as proof of identity with foreign authorities under some circumstances.
Sep 10, 2018, 3:12 pm
#25
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Somewhere In The Five Eyes
Posts: 229
You are allowed to hold two (2) USA passports simultaneously. The primary is good for ten years. The secondary is good for two years (unconfirmed that this has recently been increased to five years).
Unless one of mine is unavailable (being used to get a visa), I always carry both of my USA passports.
Unless one of mine is unavailable (being used to get a visa), I always carry both of my USA passports.
Sep 10, 2018, 6:17 pm
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
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Posts: 30,013
I just remembered I have a 10 year visa for China in my passport I used last fall for PVG.
Do I rip it out and use flex seal to apply it in new one?
Do I rip it out and use flex seal to apply it in new one?
Sep 10, 2018, 6:57 pm
#27
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: DL PM 1MM
Posts: 3,439
You are allowed to hold two (2) USA passports simultaneously. The primary is good for ten years. The secondary is good for two years (unconfirmed that this has recently been increased to five years).
Unless one of mine is unavailable (being used to get a visa), I always carry both of my USA passports.
Unless one of mine is unavailable (being used to get a visa), I always carry both of my USA passports.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/11134954-post10.html
(a) In rare instances, for some rare travelers this may mean
the necessity of issuing more than one “second” passport at a
time. For example, reporters assigned to the White House
“beat” frequently need several passports at a time to keep up
with the foreign visa demands.
the necessity of issuing more than one “second” passport at a
time. For example, reporters assigned to the White House
“beat” frequently need several passports at a time to keep up
with the foreign visa demands.
Sep 10, 2018, 7:26 pm
#28
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CHS
Programs: UA GS, Bonvoy Amabassador, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,589
Thanks for all the input. I didn't realize Dallas had a passport agency as I've only been here a year. I will get the ball rolling now--might as well.
So say for example a month from now I have a new shiny passport but also my other one that doesn't expire for another 8 months. Travel with both just in case?
So say for example a month from now I have a new shiny passport but also my other one that doesn't expire for another 8 months. Travel with both just in case?
Your new one is valid immediately and is good for 10 years (5 years for under 16 I think)
Sep 10, 2018, 7:28 pm
#29
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CHS
Programs: UA GS, Bonvoy Amabassador, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,589
Just to clarify, it is sometimes possible for an individual to justify holding more than one "second" US passport.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/11134954-post10.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/11134954-post10.html
Sep 10, 2018, 9:54 pm
#30
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,634
You have to carry both old and new passports. Check out this thread:
And from U.S. Embassy and Consulates in China website:
This visa may be in an expired passport if the traveler also carries a valid passport.