Why You Should Consider Renewing Your Passport Sooner Than You Think

Whether you're gearing up for a holiday, heading out on a business journey, or aiming to travel the world, your U.S. passport is your gateway to international destinations. Before you finalize that next flight, make sure to check if your passport is nearing its expiration date—or worse, has already expired.

What is the validity period of a U.S. passport?

An adult U.S. passport, issued to individuals over 16 years old, is typically valid for 10 years from the issuance date (or renewal), as noted on the data page alongside your full name, place of birth, and passport number. For minors under 16, the validity is limited to 5 years.

Is it possible to renew your passport before it expires?

Yes, the State Department confirms that your passport doesn’t have to be expired (or nearing expiration) to be renewed. In fact, there are several situations where early renewal is advisable or necessary.

For instance, about 75 countries mandate that your passport remains valid for at least six months beyond your intended departure date, which effectively reduces the usable travel time to nine and a half years for those planning trips during the latter part of their passport's validity. If your passport fails to meet this requirement, you risk being denied entry or facing travel complications.

Likewise, some nations require your passport to have one to three completely blank visa pages (the spots for stamps). The exact requirement varies by country—each has its own regulations. For example, Canada and Morocco need just one page, while Germany and South Africa require two, and Botswana and Zambia ask for three. A couple of countries, Brunei and Namibia, even require six pages. For context, a standard 28-page passport contains 17 blank pages for visa stamps, while a nonstandard 52-page passport has 43. Consequently, frequent travelers may find their passport’s validity significantly reduced if they have too few pages remaining. According to the State Department, some airlines won't let you board international flights if this condition isn’t satisfied.

What are the current processing times for passport applications and renewals?

Generally, processing a standard application takes between six to eight weeks. However, as of September 2023, current wait times have extended to 10 to 13 weeks due to a backlog. Both new and renewal applications are affected, and this timeframe does not account for the mailing time at either end. Even expedited passport services are experiencing delays. The processing duration for expedited services is now 7 to 9 weeks, an increase from the previous 3 to 5 weeks during regular times.