Planning for international travel but confused by passport validity? This guide is just what you are searching for. We will look at passport validity periods in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, explore whether you can travel with a soon-to-expire passport, and most importantly, show you how to renew your passport in the 4 countries. Besides, we will also talk about how to deal with lost or stolen passports. Without further ado, let’s get started!
Passport Validity Periods in Different Countries
A valid passport is a must during international travel. However, the validity periods can vary greatly from country to country. This section will break down passport validity periods, for both adults and minors, in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, equipping you with the knowledge for a seamless travel experience.
- United States
Adults (16 and over): US passports for adults have a 10-year validity period.
Minors (under 16): The passports are valid for 5 years for minors.
- United Kingdom
Adults (16 and over): A UK passport for adults is valid for 10 years.
Minors (under 16): UK passports for children are valid for 5 years.
- Australia
Adults (18 and over): Australian adult passports are valid for 10 years.
Minors (under 18): The validity period of Australian children’s passports is 5 years.
- Canada
Adults (16 and over): Canadian passports are valid for 10 years. But you can also opt for a 5-year validity period if you think you are running out of passport pages.
Minors (under 16): The validity period is 5 years for children.
Can I Travel with a Soon-to-Expire Passport?
It is somehow risky to travel internationally with a soon-to-expire passport because different countries have varied regulations on passport validity when granting entry. Here, we outline the stipulations in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, and list some countries that mandate a 6-month validity.
- United States
Most countries require that your passport should remain valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date.
- United Kingdom
Most countries demand a 6-month validity on the UK passport.
- Australia
Australian citizens are advised to have 6 months of validity on their passport for international travel.
- Canada
Canadian citizens should make sure that their passports are valid for at least 6 months beyond their date of return.
Countries Mandating 6-Month Validity
- Schengen Area countries
- China
- Turkey
- Indonesia
- Qatar
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- Thailand
- Philippines
- Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates
- Israel
- Brazil
- Ecuador
- Panama
How to Renew My Passport?
United States
The US Department of the State gives no official recommendations on when to renew a passport, so you are free to renew it anytime you want, be it still valid or expired within the last 15 years. To ensure that you won’t be refused entry to countries that mandate 6-month passport validity, you’d better renew your passport 9 months before expiration. But first and foremost, note that you are only eligible to renew your passport when NONE of the following circumstances is true:
- Your passport was issued before your 16th birthday;
- Your passport was issued more than 15 years ago;
- Your passport is damaged, lost, or stolen;
- Your passport was issued in your previous name and you do not have a legal document such as a marriage license to prove your legal name change.
As the online renewal services have been suspended, you can renew your US passport by mail or in person.
- Renew US Passport by Mail
Step 1: Collect the required documents:
(1)Passport Renewal Application Form DS-82;
(2)Name change documents (if necessary), which can be a marriage certificate, a divorce decree, or a court order;
(3)Your current valid passport.
Step 2: Attach a passport photo to the Renewal Form, which should comply with the official guidelines.
Step 3: Ascertain the fees through the official fee calculator.
Step 4: Enclose all your materials (including the payment) in an envelope large enough, and mail it to the address that you can find on the second page of your application form.
- Renew US Passport in Person
Step 1: Collect necessary documents:
(1)Passport Renewal Application Form DS-11;
(2)Evidence of your US citizenship;
(3)Your current ID;
(4)Your passport photo.
Step 2: Determine special circumstances. If any of the criteria below pertain to you, you might face extra conditions for a passport renewal application. You can consult the State Department’s website for more details:
- Minors below 16 years;
- Minors aged 16-17;
- Passport lost or stolen;
- With child support debt exceeding $2,500;
- Requesting a sex marker change;
- Official, diplomatic, or other special types of passport.
Step 3: Bring all materials to your local passport acceptance facility.
Step 4: Pay the charges using a check or money order.
After submission, you can request a status update 7 to 10 business days later by calling 1-877-487-2778 or visiting the Department’s website.
United Kingdom
You must renew your UK passport if your current one has expired or you do not have enough time on it. It is highly recommended that you renew it at least 6 months before expiration to avoid troubles during your journey. It costs £82.50 to renew online and £93 to renew using a paper application form. The supporting documents include:
(1)Your current passport;
(2)Any valid passports you have from a different country – send either a color photocopy of every page (including blank ones) or the physical passport.
- Renew Online
You should finish the application onthe official website, during which you will need:
(1)A digital passport photo;
(2)A credit or debit card to pay the charges;
(3)Your current passport.
- Renew Using a Paper Application Form
You can get the paper application form by:
(1)Going to a Post Office that has a Check and Send service;
(2)Calling the Passport Adviceline.
Australia
You can apply for a renewal for an Australian passport if you meet ALL the following criteria, otherwise, you’ll need a reapplication:
- Your passport was issued when you were 16 years old or above;
- Your passport was granted on or after 1 January, 2006;
- Your passport originally had at least 2 years’ validity;
- Your passport has your current name, date of birth, birthplace, and gender, and has not been reported lost, stolen, or canceled.
If you have travel plans in the next 6 months, you should start to apply for renewal now, and you should allow a minimum of 6 weeks to get a new passport. You can renew via the online portal or call 131 232 to get a pre-filled form sent to you.
If you have changed your name, you should include proof of that in your application materials; If you want an urgent passport, you should meet the following criteria and then pay the $237 priority processing fee after lodging the application at Australia Post:
- You have NOT had two or more passports lost or stolen in the past 5 years;
- You are able to prove your identity;
- You are NOT applying for a child’s passport without full parental consent.
Canada
You can only renew your Canadian passport when your last passport:
- Was an adult passport that was issued when you were 16 or older;
- Was issued within the past 15 years;
- Was valid for 5 or 10 years;
- Has the same name, date of birth, and place of birth as you want on your new passport;
- Has the same gender identifier as you want on your new passport.
You can get the type of application form and instructions you need by answering questions on the official website. You will also be informed of the fees.
Lost or Stolen Passports
It is not possible to renew your passport in all four countries mentioned above if it is lost or stolen. What you can do instead is to immediately report the loss or theft to local relevant agencies and apply for a new passport/passport replacement. That also involves identification and travel documents. Make sure you have digital or physical copies of important documents.
Wrapping Up
Handling passport validity issues can be complex and intimidating. Nevertheless, this comprehensive guide can serve as a handy reference to ensure your preparation for international journeys whether you are traveling from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, or Canada. Always remember to check the expiry date on your passport and renew it in time to unlock your smooth and wonderful travel!
Erin Lo