So you’re planning that long-awaited trip to Europe, or maybe you’re finally booking that Southeast Asia adventure you’ve been dreaming about. You dig out your old passport from the drawer, blow off the dust, and… crap. It expired two years ago.
No big deal, right? Just renew it online and move on with your life.
Except—plot twist—the government says you can’t renew it. At all. Not online, not by mail, not even if you beg really nicely.
If this is happening to you right now, you’re probably confused, frustrated, and wondering what bureaucratic nightmare you’ve stumbled into. Don’t worry—you’re not alone, and I’m here to explain exactly what’s going on and how to fix it.
The Rule That Catches Everyone Off Guard
Here’s the deal: If your previous passport was issued before you turned 16, you cannot renew it using the standard renewal process. Period.
It doesn’t matter if you’re 20, 25, or even 30 years old now. If that photo in your old passport shows your 15-year-old self with braces and an awkward haircut, the government considers it a “minor’s passport,” and those simply can’t be renewed.
I know what you’re thinking: “But I’m literally an adult now! I have a job, I pay taxes, I vote!”
Yeah, the passport system doesn’t care about any of that. In their eyes, you need to apply for your first adult passport—which means starting from scratch with an in-person appointment.
Why Does This Rule Even Exist?
Before you start cursing government bureaucrats, let’s understand the logic here (yes, there actually is some).
The U.S. Department of State divides passport holders into two categories:
- Minors: Under 16 years old
- Adults: 16 years old and up
Passports issued to minors are only valid for five years, not ten. Why? Two main reasons:
- Kids’ faces change dramatically. That chubby-cheeked 12-year-old doesn’t look anything like their 17-year-old self. Having a shorter validity period ensures the photo actually matches the person traveling.
- Safety concerns. Shorter validity periods help prevent child identity theft and cases of parental abduction (sadly, these happen more often than you’d think).
So when you got your passport at age 15 and it expired at age 20, you’re stuck in this weird limbo. You’re an adult now, but your passport is still technically a child’s document. The government needs to see you in person one more time to verify your identity and have you sign as an adult in front of a federal official.
Think of it as a rite of passage—annoying, but necessary.
The #1 Mistake People Make (And How Much It Costs Them)
Here’s where things get expensive if you mess up.
Most people google “passport renewal,” download form DS-82 (the standard renewal form), mail everything in with their payment, and wait.
Weeks later, they get a rejection letter. The government keeps their money, returns their documents, and tells them to start over. They’ve now lost:
- The application fee (around $130)
- Shipping costs
- 6-8 weeks of time
- Their sanity
Don’t be that person.
If your last passport was issued before age 16, you need form DS-11, not DS-82. This is the “new application” form, and it requires an in-person appointment.
How to Actually Get Your First Adult Passport (Step-by-Step)
Alright, let’s fix this situation. Here’s exactly what you need to do:
Step 1: Download the Right Form
Go to the State Department website and get form DS-11 (Application for a U.S. Passport). You can fill it out on your computer and print it, or print it blank and fill it out by hand in black ink.
Important: Don’t sign it yet! You must sign it in front of the passport agent at your appointment.
Step 2: Gather Your Proof of Citizenship
Good news here—your expired childhood passport counts as valid proof of U.S. citizenship. You don’t need to track down your birth certificate (unless you want to use it instead).
Step 3: Get Your ID and Photocopies Ready
You’ll need:
- A valid government-issued photo ID (driver’s license or state ID)
- A photocopy of your ID (front and back)
- A photocopy of your old passport’s data page (the one with your photo and info)
Step 4: Get a Passport Photo
You need a recent 2×2 inch color photo with:
- White or off-white background
- No glasses
- No hats (unless for religious reasons)
- No filters or editing
- Neutral expression (slight smile is okay)
Most pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens) and post offices offer passport photo services for about $15-20. Don’t try to do this with your phone—they’re strict about the specifications.
Step 5: Know the Cost
For 2026, budget for approximately:
- Passport book: $130
- Processing fee (for in-person applications): $35
- Total: Around $165
If you need it faster, you can pay an additional $60 for expedited service (2-3 weeks instead of 6-8 weeks).
Step 6: Schedule and Attend Your Appointment
Find a passport acceptance facility near you (most post offices, some libraries, and county clerks). Many require appointments, so check the USPS website or call ahead.
Bring everything to your appointment:
- Unsigned DS-11 form
- Old passport
- Driver’s license/ID
- Photocopies
- Passport photo
- Payment (check or money order; some locations accept cards)
The agent will review your documents, watch you sign the form, collect your payment, and that’s it. You’re done.
How Long Until You Get Your New Passport?
Standard processing takes 6-8 weeks from the day they receive your application. If you paid for expedited service, expect 2-3 weeks.
Once you get this new passport, it’s valid for 10 years, and next time you can renew it by mail or online like a normal person. You only have to go through this in-person process once as a young adult.
Pro Tips from Someone Who’s Been There
- Don’t wait until the last minute. If you have a trip planned, apply at least 3-4 months in advance.
- Check if you need expedited service. If your trip is less than 8 weeks away, pay the extra $60.
- Make copies of everything. Before you hand over your documents, photocopy everything for your records.
- Track your application. The State Department provides tracking once your application is processed.
- Your old passport gets returned. They’ll mail back your expired childhood passport separately from your new one. It’s a nice keepsake!
What If You’re Traveling Soon?
If you have urgent travel (within 2 weeks) or need a visa soon, you may be able to get an appointment at a regional passport agency. These are located in major cities and can issue passports same-day or within a few days. However, you need proof of urgent travel (like a plane ticket) to qualify.
Call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 to schedule an urgent appointment.
The Bottom Line
Yes, it’s annoying that you can’t just click a few buttons and renew your passport online like everyone else. But once you understand why this rule exists and what you need to do, the process is actually pretty straightforward.
Think of it this way: after this one in-person visit, you’ll have an adult passport good for ten years, and when it expires in 2036, you can renew it from your couch while binge-watching Netflix.
Not so bad after all, right?
Now stop reading, download that DS-11 form, and get your appointment scheduled. Your travel plans are waiting.
Have questions about the passport application process? Drop them in the comments below—I’m happy to help!
