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U.S. Passports > Renew or Replace a Passport Homepage > How to Replace a Limited-Validity Passport
A limited-validity passport is a passport we issued for less than the full validity period. The full validity period is 10 years for customers over age 16 and five years for children under 16. The process to apply for a full-validity passport depends on the reason we issued a limited-validity passport.
Refer to the letter we included with your limited-validity passport for more information.
An emergency passport is valid for one year or less, and is for U.S. citizens who must return to the United States as soon as possible from a foreign country. U.S. embassies and consulates will issue emergency passports in limited circumstances only such as replacing a lost or stolen passport or life-or-death situations.
Some countries may not accept your emergency passport so check the entry and exit requirements of your destination before you travel.
Why is your passport limited? |
When was it issued? |
How you replace it |
Pending replacement of your naturalization certificate |
Less than two years ago |
Submit the following by mail (if in the United States or Canada) or in person at an embassy/consulate (if overseas):
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More than two years ago |
Submit the following in person at an acceptance facility or a passport agency:
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Selecting a new gender marker |
Less than two years ago |
Submit the following by mail:
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More than two years ago |
Submit the following in person at an acceptance facility or a passport agency:
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Name change |
Less than one year ago |
Submit the following by mail:
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More than one year ago |
Submit the following in person at an acceptance facility or a passport agency:
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Why is your passport limited? |
When was it issued? |
How you replace it |
Your limited passport was issued outside the United States in an emergency. |
Less than one year ago |
Submit the following by mail (if in the United States or Canada) or in person at an embassy/consulate (if abroad): Please Note: You will not have to pay any fees if you paid the fees when you applied for your limited passport (unless you request Expedited Service). |
More than one year ago but less than 15 years ago |
Submit the following in person at an acceptance facility or passport agency (if in the United States) or in person at an embassy/consulate (if abroad):
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No, you must submit the original. We will return it to you separately from your new passport. We recommend using a trackable delivery method and secure packaging (such as a sturdy cardboard or Tyvek envelope) to submit your passport application and supporting documents.