What to Do with an Old Passport?

What to do with an expired passport? Do you get your old passport back after renewal? And what happens to old passports after renewal?

In this article, we'll answer the most common questions about expired passports and give you tips on where to get a professional passport photo for renewal.

Table of contents

• General options for expired passports
• Expired passport rules in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and the EU
• Why keep an old passport?
• Reasons to dispose of an old passport
• How to dispose of an old passport properly
• What to do if you've lost your expired passport
• Get your new passport photo online! Visafoto & 7ID services

General options for expired passports

In several countries, you can renew an expired passport if it was issued within a specific timeframe and hasn't been damaged or reported as lost. Renewing typically requires sending in your expired passport, providing proof of identity, and submitting a new photo. Some places offer the convenience of online renewal.

While expired passports might still be accepted as identification for domestic purposes in some regions, they cannot be used for international travel. Many countries demand that passports remain valid for a certain time beyond your planned departure. If you’re overseas with an expired passport, contact your local embassy or consulate to obtain an Emergency Travel Document (ETD) to help you return home.

Why is an expired passport not a valid ID? — An expired passport is not considered valid identification because its details are outdated and not considered reliable for identity verification. Government regulations demand current documents to ensure accuracy and prevent fraudulent activities.

What to do with old expired passports?

Should I destroy an old passport? — It is recommended that expired passports be stored securely to prevent identity theft.

Can I dispose of old passports? — Yes, old passports can be disposed of, but it should be done securely. This can be managed by shredding them or returning them to the passport agency for safe destruction. Simply discarding them in the trash poses a risk of identity theft.

Can you keep your old passport after renewal? — Yes, most of the time, you can retain your old passport after getting it renewed. In many countries like the U.S., UK, and Canada, the old passport will be returned to you marked as "canceled", often with a hole punched in it or a corner cut off. While it can’t be used for travel, it can serve as a keepsake, proof of identity, or record of past visas and travel history.

How to renew a passport without sending an old one? — In most cases, renewing a passport without submitting the old one isn’t possible. Countries like the U.S. and the UK typically require you to send in the previous passport with your renewal application for both verification and cancellation. If your old passport is lost, damaged, or stolen, you’ll need to apply for a new passport instead of a simple renewal.

Can you book a flight with an expired passport? — You can technically book a flight with an expired passport, as airlines typically don’t require passport details when booking. However, a valid passport will be necessary for check-in and boarding. With an expired passport, you won't be able to complete your travel.

What to do with the expired passport of a deceased person? — If you possess the expired passport of someone who has passed away, you have several options:

• Retain it as a personal memento or for family history purposes. There are no legal issues with keeping an expired passport securely.
• You may return it to authorities along with a death certificate and any necessary notification form if required.
• Should you opt to dispose of it yourself, remove the biometric page, shred it, or cut it into small pieces, and then dispose of it in separate trash bins to prevent reconstruction.

Expired passport rules in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and the EU

Here are the essential rules and guidelines regarding expired passports for the U.S., UK, Canada, Australia, and the EU:

United States

• Renewal eligibility: If your expired U.S. passport was issued in the last 15 years and you were at least 16 at the time, you're eligible for renewal.
• Travel restrictions: Although you can't use an expired passport for international travel, U.S. citizens can re-enter the country with an expired passport under certain conditions.

United Kingdom

• Passport renewal: A standard renewal process is available if your UK passport expires within the last 10 years. If it’s older, you might need to apply as if it's your first passport.
• Travel use: You can't use an expired passport for international travel, but it might be usable domestically if it's recent and recognizable as yours.

Canada

• Renewal process: You can renew your expired passport that was issued when you were at least 16 years old, using the standard route if you qualify.
• Travel requirements: An expired Canadian passport isn't valid for international travel; a valid document is necessary to board a plane to Canada.

Can I keep my expired Canadian passport? — Yes, expired passports can be kept for personal records or disposed of securely to protect against identity theft.

Australia

• Renewal conditions: Renewal is possible if your expired passport was issued when you were at least 16, on or after January 1, 2006, and hasn't been declared lost or stolen.
• Travel advice: It's advisable not to use an expiring passport for travel, as it could be canceled during your journey.

Can I keep my expired Australian passport? — Absolutely, you can hold onto expired passports for personal use, just ensure they are marked invalid to prevent confusion.

European Union

• Travel within the EU: EU citizens usually need a valid passport or national ID for travel within the EU. Some countries might allow entry with expired documents, but this depends on individual national policies.
• International travel outside the EU: An expired passport cannot be used for travel outside the EU.

Why keep an old passport?

What to do with an old passport after renewal? — You may destroy your expired passport if you want, but it is recommended that you keep it. There are several compelling reasons to keep an old passport, ranging from practical utility to sentimental value:

Practical benefits

• Proof of identity — Even if expired, a passport can still act as valid identification for certain tasks, like renewing your driver’s license or verifying citizenship, particularly if your appearance hasn’t changed much from the photo.
• Active visas — If your old passport holds active visas, you may need to present it alongside your new passport when visiting countries where those visas are applicable.
• Simplified renewal process — Using your old passport during renewal can streamline the procedure by serving as evidence of your citizenship and travel history, minimizing the need for additional paperwork.
• Residency or immigration documentation — Previous travel records in old passports can be essential when documenting travel history for residency or immigration applications.
• Emergency travel assistance — In case you lose your current passport abroad, an old passport can speed up the replacement process at embassies or consulates.
• Identity security — Keeping your old passport reduces the risk of identity theft that could occur if it’s disposed of improperly.

Sentimental value

• Travel memories — With stamps and visas marking various destinations, old passports can serve as a nostalgic record of your travels and adventures.
• Historical insight — As part of family history, old passports can reveal travel patterns and identities of previous generations, offering a window into the past.

Secure storage suggestions
To protect against identity theft or damage, store old passports securely, like in a locked drawer or safe. If you decide to dispose of them, ensure they are shredded completely or return them to a passport agency for secure disposal.

Reasons to dispose of an old passport

While it's often beneficial to hang onto an old passport, there are circumstances where disposing of it might be the better choice:

• Reducing clutter — If you have gathered multiple old passports over the years and lack any sentimental connection to them, they can contribute to unnecessary clutter. Disposing of them responsibly can help tidy your space.
• Lacking usability — An old passport that is severely damaged, has no valid visas, or features a photo that no longer resembles you may not serve any useful purpose for identification or travel.
• Security concerns — While keeping old passports can generally help mitigate identity theft, if you're confident in securely disposing of them, it might be worthwhile. Be cautious, as improper disposal could elevate identity theft risks.
• Official disposal options — Some countries offer the service of returning expired passports to government agencies for secure disposal. This ensures they are destroyed safely and cannot be misused.

How to dispose of an old passport properly

When it's time to get rid of an old passport, it's essential to do so carefully to avoid the risk of identity theft and ensure your personal details remain secure. Here are some effective ways to dispose of an old passport responsibly:

Shredding:

1. Detach the biometric page first, as it holds the majority of your personal info, and shred it separately.
2. Use a high-quality shredder to tear the entire passport into tiny, unreadable fragments.
3. Confirm that all of the pieces are beyond recognition for added security.

Burning:

Cut your passport into smaller sections and then burn them. This method is highly effective but might not be convenient for everyone.

Once you've shredded or burned the passport, make sure to dispose of the remnants securely, perhaps in different bins, to prevent assembly.

Returning to the issuing authority:

• Where to send an old British passport? — In the UK, you have the option to send your old passport back to the HM Passport Office for secure disposal.
• How to return an old passport in the UK? — When returning your passport to the HM Passport Office, include a note indicating your request and use a registered courier for added security.
• How to send off an old passport in the USA? — In the U.S., you can mail your expired passport to the Department of State for disposal, although keeping it may be preferable for most individuals.

Considerations to keep in mind

• Microchip passports: U.S. passports issued after 2006 feature an embedded microchip. It’s advisable to retain these because tampering with the chip is illegal and it contains vital personal data.

What to do if you've lost your expired passport

If you've misplaced an expired passport, the necessary steps you'll want to take depend on your circumstances and whether you need to replace it for travel or identification. Here's a simplified guide to help you navigate the situation:

1. Assess the need for a replacement
   • If you have no immediate need to use the expired passport for travel or identification, replacing it might not be urgent.
   • However, if you do need a passport, you’ll need to apply for a new one.
2. Report the loss (if required)
   • In the U.S., there's no obligation to report a lost expired passport, but you'd need to fill out Form DS-64 if it was still valid, coupled with Form DS-11 for a replacement.
   • In Canada, even if the passport expired recently, you can proceed to renew or apply for a new one without additional paperwork.
3. Apply for a new passport
   • U.S.: Use Form DS-11 to apply for a new passport in person. You'll need to present proof of citizenship, identity, and provide a passport photo.
   • Canada: Follow the regular application process to get a new passport and check if you can renew instead.
   • UK: For a new passport, use the standard application procedure. There's no need to report an expired passport as missing unless it was still valid.
4. Be mindful of travel plans
   • If international travel is on the horizon, ensure your new passport is valid.
   • Note that many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months beyond your trip’s end date.
5. Safe disposal of rediscovered passports
   • Should you find the expired passport later, ensure you dispose of it safely to avert identity theft.
   • Shred or incinerate it to thoroughly eliminate any personal information.

Get your new passport photo online! Visafoto & 7ID services

The easiest way to get a compliant passport photo is to use one of the following professional online tools:

Visafoto

Avoid the stress of getting your new passport photo right — use Visafoto.com, a top-notch photo editing service boasting a 99.7% success rate for photo approvals.

Just snap a picture against a plain white background using your phone or camera and upload it to Visafoto.com. Our tool will tweak it to perfection, adjusting the size, format, background, and face alignment so that your photo meets all official standards.

Use a selfie taken under daylight, like this one:

You'll get a digital copy for online applications and a printed version ready for submission. If you're not pleased with the outcome, we replace a photo for free. If the photo is not accepted by officials, we offer a full refund.

7ID App

For a super easy photo experience, try the 7ID app from Visafoto.com. Using advanced algorithms, 7ID enhances your photos effortlessly. Available on both iPhone and Android, this app simplifies making ID, passport, and visa photos straight from your smartphone.

With 7ID, just upload your photo, choose your document type and country, and the app does the rest. It automatically adjusts to meet official requirements, handling the size, format, and background, and centering your face and eyes perfectly. You'll receive a digital file and a print-ready template that fits standard paper sizes like 4×6, A4, A5, or B5.

Need assistance? Our technical support team is available around the clock to answer your questions.