Yes, you have five years from the expiration date to renew your passport as long as it was a 10-year passport (does not include temporary or child passports).
The expiration date is located on the data page where your full name and photo are also located. Look for the second to last piece of information next to your picture. The title should be "Date of expiration/Date d'expiration/Fecha de caducidad." Under that phrase should be a date in the format of day/month/year. This is the expiration date of your passport. See photo for reference.
Child Passports [child was under 16 when issued a passport] are only valid for 5 years. They cannot be renewed the same way as an adult passport. You must apply for a New Child Passport until the age of 16.
Note: To expedite your child's passport with our service, please select the "child passport" service for all minors under 18. There are special requirements for age 16 and 17.
You will include your photo with the application and documents when you send via overnight shipping.
The State Department recommends that U.S. citizens renew their passports approximately nine months before the date of expiration since many countries require at least 6 months validity left on your passport in addition to the 6-8 weeks standard processing time. If you do not have 6 months left on your passport and you are traveling soon, we can help expedite quickly.
Unfortunately, damaged passports cannot be renewed. You must select the damaged passport service, which requests a statement explaining how the passport was mutilated or damaged. Your passport will be considered damaged if it has extensive water damage, torn or ripped pages, unapproved holes, separated pages, a loose or missing cover, or any other suspicious markings. If you are not sure, it is best to apply for a new passport.
Unfortunately, only 10-year passports, in good condition, are able to be renewed. Please check the Issue Date and the Expiration Date on the data page of your passport next to your photo. You can still receive a new passport but you will need to apply for a new passport.
No, new passport photos must be taken each time a passport is issued. Photos must be no older than 6 months and the Department of State is very strict on this policy. We recommend having your photo taken professionally at CVS, Walgreens, or other professional photo service. See other requirements here.
No, your new passport will be issued with a different number that has not been used on any previous passports.
Sometimes. It is important to check with the individual countries to confirm, but if you have a valid visa in an expired passport, some countries allow you to travel with both your passports (the expired one with the valid visa AND the new passport).
Yes, your old, canceled passport is returned to you unless it is deemed to be damaged by the United States Department of State. It may be sent separately from your new passport. It is a good idea to keep it in a safe place as it is considered proof of your U.S. citizenship.
There are 3 options to renewing your passport by mail.
- 6-8 weeks - through the post office using standard processing
- 3 weeks - through the post office using expedited processing
- 1-12 Days - through an expedited passport service
Actually, you don't renew your passport at the post office, you mail your application through the post office, which is then sent to the National Passport Processing Center. Processing times range from 6-8 weeks or 2-3 weeks if expedited processing is selected.
By using a passport expediting service, your application is mailed overnight or dropped off at one of our passport courier offices and submitted for processing that day. Processing times range from 1-12 days depending on speed of service selected.
Most countries require that a passport be valid for at least six months beyond the end of your trip. If your passport expires sooner than that, you must apply to renew your passport.
If you need to change the name in your passport, and your passport is less than one year old, use Form DS-5504. If your current passport is more than one year old and you wish to change the name, you will need to apply for a Passport Renewal. You will need to submit the original court document indicating the name change or original marriage certificate, along with your current passport and other supporting documents.
If your last U.S. passport expired more than 5 years ago, you may apply using the following guidance:
1. Fill out and print FORM DS-11
Complete FORM DS-11 online, and print it out single-sided. Back to back printed forms cannot be processed. Do not print the instructions as you are to use this website instead. At ‘Mailing Address’ list your Dutch address, even if it is only temporary. You cannot currently list a “Country” when completing the “Emergency Contact” section on our forms. Please list an emergency contact in the United States. Do NOT sign the form. Applications filled out by hand may require longer to process.
3. Proof of U.S. Citizenship
Bring your last issued U.S.passport. If you no longer have your last
issued passport, prepare FORM DS-64, and bring:
– your original U.S. birth certificate, or
– your original Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or
– your original Naturalization Certificate, or
– your original Certificate of Citizenship
4. Proof of identity
Bring valid proof of identity. This can be any valid government issued identity document, e.g. a foreign passport or driver’s license, I.D. card, Military I.D. or U.S. driver’s license.
6. Photocopies
Bring a plain printed photocopy of:
- Your passport’s biographical information and signature page(s), and
- any supporting documents as applicable to your application.
Copies of the forms are not required.
7. Passport Application Fee
Consular fees can be paid with any credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, or Diner’s Club). U.S. debit cards are also accepted if they carry the VISA symbol. Please note that the credit or debit card must be in the name of the applicant or the accompanying parent or legal guardian if the applicant is under the age of 18.
While a credit card payment is preferred consular fees can also be paid cash in Euros. We do NOT accept U.S. dollars, checks, or PIN cards. Please bring exact change to the appointment. For a current list of fees please see (//nl.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/fees/).
Please keep your wallet with you when entering our waiting room.
8. Set up an appointment
Set up an appointment via the link below. IMPORTANT: Print the appointment confirmation page or save it on your phone. You will NOT receive a confirmation e-mail.
- Set up your appointment online.
- Take note of our access and security instructions.
ARRIVE ON TIME
Try to arrive at the Consulate at least 15 minutes prior to your appointment time. If you miss your slot we must ask you to reschedule.
Note that slots open up if we receive cancellations. Check back with our appointment system regularly if you wish for a earlier appointment slot.
9. New passport will be delivered by mail
Provide a prepaid return envelope
- Size: 23 x 16 centimeters or 9×6 inches – no bigger envelopes, no padded envelopes, no big DHL envelopes, please.
- On this envelope attach your DHL label*, or
- write the passport applicant’s name and address, and stick 5 x regular ‘1’ PostNL stamps in the top right corner.
We cannot send passports to addresses outside of the Netherlands.
*We recommend using the trackable “waybill” from DHL express, or DHL parcel label. These you must order online at: //my.dhlexpress.nl/pwa/shipment/package/.
When prompted, please select “Mailbox Parcel”, and enter your personal information as the recipient. Check the option “E-mail Notification”.
When asked about the sender, enter your own name and the following mailing address: John Adams Park 1, 2244 BZ Wassenaar. Use your own e-mail address as sender and receiver so you receive all correspondence regarding your shipment. The
cost of the trackable service begins at €3.95. Print your DHL label and glue or tape it on your return envelope.
When using regular stamps note this way the shipment is not trackable. Mailing is at your own risk.
All valid passports will be canceled during your appointment as you cannot have two valid passports. Plan your appointment accordingly as you may be without a valid passport for up to three weeks.
If you are also applying for a passport card, bring two prepaid return envelopes as cards arrive two to three weeks after passport books.
Child Support Issues?
If you have child support payments outstanding, you may be ineligible to receive a new U.S. passport. Read more…
Processing time
Passports are printed in the United States with a secure, photo-digitized image of the bearer. You should allow for up to 4 to 6 weeks for your application to be processed.