What do you do with old passports?

Asked by: Deven Armstrong  |  Last update: October 22, 2022
Score: 4.5/5 (13 votes)

The old passport may be sent separately from your new passport. We recommend keeping your old passport in a safe place as it is considered proof of your U.S. citizenship. If your old passport is linked to a valid visa, you can still use the valid visa. You must travel with both your new and old passport in this case.

Should I throw away old passports?

Never simply throw a passport away. Even if the government has canceled it, it could still be used by thieves to commit forgery or identity theft. Do not destroy a passport unless it has been officially canceled. Even if it is expired, you may need to present it to a passport agency in order to obtain a replacement.

Should I destroy old passports UK?

No, you should avoid simply throwing away your old passport, as it can open you up to the risk of fraud and will prevent you from using it to renew your passport later on.

Do you have to send your old passport back when renewing online UK?

Do I need to send in my old UK passport when renewing? To answer this common question, yes, you will need to send in your old British passport when you renew it. This is done so that Her Majesty's Passport office can officially verify your details and compare them against your online passport renewal forms.

What do you do with old passports UK?

Passports are currently not recyclable. The UK Passport office states that once sent back to them, they will be 'appropriately disposed of'. It's unclear what this actually means however it's likely to be that the passports are incinerated and/or sent to landfill securely due to the materials they are made of.

Always keep your old passport for visas

28 related questions found

Do you have to send your old passport back when renewing?

You must submit your most recent passport with your application. Please note: Your U.S. passport book and/or card must meet all of the requirements listed at the top of this page. Your old passport book and/or card will be returned to you, but generally it will come in a separate mailing from your new passport.

Where do I return my old passport UK?

If you're renewing or replacing a passport

You must bring your old passport to the Post Office if you still have it. If you've changed your name, you'll also need to bring proof of your new name (like a marriage certificate).

What do I do with my old UK passport?

Passports are currently not recyclable. The UK Passport office states that once sent back to them, they will be 'appropriately disposed of'. It's unclear what this actually means however it's likely to be that the passports are incinerated and/or sent to landfill securely due to the materials they are made of.

What happens to my old passport when I renew?

You will need to send in your old passport if you are renewing online (or take it in with you if you are applying in person at the Post Office), though the old (cancelled) passport will be returned to you with your new (renewed) passport.

Why does my passport have holes punched in it?

Although your current passport does need to be turned in with your application, that passport will be returned to you. The canceled passport will have two small holes punched in the bottom of your identification page to mark it as canceled.

Why didn't I get my old passport back when I renewed?

The cancelled passport will be sent separately from the renewed one. Because they are sent separately, the two documents usually arrive on different days. If the renewed passport arrives first, don't get anxious about getting the old passport back. It should arrive within a day or two.

What happens if you don't get your old passport back?

Can I apply again? Answer: The Department of State gives you 90 days to file Form DS-86 Statement of Non-Receipt of U.S. Passport. If it has been over 90 days, you need to submit a new application.

Can I use my old passport while waiting for new one?

Use your old passport and you will be able to travel anywhere as long as there is 6 months validity remaining. Might be different for each country. In the US they take your old passport while processing the new one. They send both to you, but the old one has holes punched in it to invalidate it.

Can I send 2 Old passports back in the same envelope?

Thanks. Answer: Yes, you can. But it is recommended that you write separate checks for each application. We also suggest that you place each application set in separate envelopes then send both together in one large envelope.

What kind of envelope should I mail my passport in?

Mailing Requirements

All Acceptance Facilities must use USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate envelopes (EP14F) OR USPS Priority Mail Express Flat Rate envelopes (EP13F) when mailing passport applications to the Department of State. No other form of trackable mail will be allowed for mailing passport applications.

Where do I return my old passport UK?

If you're renewing or replacing a passport

You must bring your old passport to the Post Office if you still have it. If you've changed your name, you'll also need to bring proof of your new name (like a marriage certificate).

Can I mail my passport renewal in a regular envelope?

Answer: You cannot. Please send the application in an envelope enough to fit the documents without folding.

Will my new passport have the same passport number?

Do not book travel until you have a valid passport - your new passport will not have the same number as your old one.

How long do you need on passport to travel to Spain?

Your passport must be: issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the 'date of issue') valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the 'expiry date')

Can I travel to Tenerife with 5 months left on my passport?

The passport will always need to be valid three months beyond the expected stay in the country. Before booking a trip, not just to Spain but to any country within the Schengen Area, it is a good idea to check the passport validity.

Can I book a flight with an expired passport?

An expired passport and international flights – summed up

Can you book an international flight with an expired passport? Sure! Bookings don't usually require any legal documents to be presented. Just make sure that your passport is fully prepared by the time you need to do check-in.

Can you be refused entry into Spain?

The competent authorities will deny entry to nationals of third States who do not meet the entry requirements or who are subject to an entry ban. Entry may also be denied if, in the previous 180 days, the traveller has exhausted the 90-day period for authorized stay in the Schengen area.

How long does a passport renewal take?

The vast majority of all passport applications are being dealt with well within 10 weeks. However, a passport can only be issued once all the checks have been completed satisfactorily and will take longer if applications are submitted with missing or incomplete information.

Do passport numbers expire?

Some people mistakenly think that the passport number is unique to them and that it is forever. However, that is not true. Each individual passport book has its own unique number. When a new document is issued, it will come with a different number to any held by you previously.

What does your passport number reveal?

According to the Social Security Administration, a passport number indicates which passport office the passport was issued in. By looking at a passport number, you can tell where it was issued and possibly where it was applied for.