How Long Does a Passport Last?

How long does a passport last? Many Atlanta area residents wondering whether they need to renew their passports might be unsure about how long their travel documents are valid. Others considering obtaining a passport for the first time might also be unclear about how long their new passport books and/or passport cards will last.

In most cases, for most people, a passport is good for 10 years from the date of renewal. However, there are exceptions in certain situations (such as owing back taxes or child support, or losing your passport too often) where the State Department could reduce your renewal period or even revoke your passport before it expires.

You can tell how long your passport is valid by checking your current document. Both the issue data and expiration date are shown on the data page of your passport book, or on the front of your passport card. 

The validity period is based on your age. Adult passports are typically good for 10 years at issue and must be renewed every 10 years. For children under the age of 16, passports are valid for five years after issue. The renewal period will also span five years until the child passes the age 16; then he or she will receive an adult passport lasting 10 years.

The U.S. State Department suggests renewing your passport at least nine months before its expiration date. One reason is that some countries require anyone entering their borders to hold a passport that expires at least six months beyond their departure date. Another is that the normal renewal process takes up to two months. Applying for visas to visit certain countries can also take additional time.

Normally, U.S. citizens are only allowed to have one valid passport from the State Department. However, business executives, airline employees, travelers visiting certain countries, and others facing unique circumstances might need to obtain a secondary passport. A secondary passport is only good for four years (versus 10 years for the original passport). More details can be found at https://www.visasupply.com/passports-and-visas-101/post/how-to-get-a-secondary-passport.

An emergency passport is typically only valid for one year. Emergency passports are issued by a U.S. embassy or consulate in a foreign country so an American who had lost or misplaced their passport can return home. Another exception is for diplomatic passports, which are valid for five years. 

Exceptions to Renewal Period Rules

Most Americans only need to worry about renewing their passports every 10 years. However, there are some specific circumstances where the U.S. State Department will issue passports with a shorter validity period, or even revoke an in-force passport.

One common issue is owing back taxes to the federal government. If the IRS has issued a levy because your tax debt exceeds $53,000 (adjusted annually for inflation), the IRS will notify the State Department. According to the IRS, “The State Department may deny your passport application or revoke your current passport. If you’re overseas, the State Department may issue you a limited validity passport good for direct return to the United States.” The IRS can also ask the State Department to revoke your passport in certain situations. Enforcement began in February 2018, and the IRS notified more than 400,000 over the following year that their passports were at risk. For specific details on the IRS regulations, visit https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/revocation-or-denial-of-passport-in-case-of-certain-unpaid-taxes.

Parents with overdue child support is another common reason the State Department may delay issuing or renewing a passport. If you are at least $2,500 in arrears for child support, the state child support enforcement agency will notify the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). HHS will then recommend that the State Department deny issuing a new or renewed passport. The State Department suggests bringing your child support current with local agencies before applying for a passport. If you have already applied, issuance will be delayed for several weeks until payments are made, and until the state and HHS certify you are now compliant. State Department guidelines are available at   https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/legal-matters/child-support.html, while an HHS overview can be found at https://www.acf.hhs.gov/css/resource/ocse-story-series-passport-denial-program-101. 

If you have been ordered to surrender your unexpired U.S. passport to the courts or to law enforcement agencies, you will be unable to travel until you retrieve the passport. You would have to send a notarized letter to the State Department to retrieve the passport, along with a letter from your probation order giving approval to release your documents. Details are at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/legal-matters/surrendered-passport.html. 

The State Department also has the authority to limit the validity period of your passport if you have requested a replacement too often:  https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/emergencies/lost-stolen-passport-abroad.html.  “Multiple lost/stolen passports or borrowing money from the State Department to fund your trip home may cause you to receive a limited passport,” the agency states on its website. If you have an outstanding State loan or you have been given a limited passport, “you will need to resolve those issues with the State Department before you can be issued a new passport.” The U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic notes on its website, “An applicant who loses a second passport within a 10-year period will be issued a passport limited to one year of validity.”

Atlanta and Georgia residents with questions the validity dates for their U.S. passport will last can schedule a telephone call through our website. Our free consultation can address any outstanding issues you may face.