Validity rules and processing times checked against travel.state.gov on September 25, 2026.
How long does a passport last? A U.S. passport is valid for 10 years if you were 16 or older when it was issued, and 5 years if you were under 16, according to the State Department’s passport FAQ. The 6-month rule is a separate thing, and it isn’t a U.S. rule. Some countries, and some airlines, want your passport to stay valid for at least 6 months beyond your trip.
So a passport can be valid and still not good enough for a particular trip. Below, we cover how to find your expiration date, how the 6-month rule works, and what to do if yours is running short. Already expired? Go to what to do if your passport has expired.
How long is a U.S. passport valid?
| Your age when it was issued | Valid for | Can you renew it? |
|---|---|---|
| 16 or older | 10 years | Yes. Most adults renew by mail with Form DS-82 if the passport was issued within the last 15 years. |
| Under 16 | 5 years | No. A child’s passport can’t be renewed. Your child applies again in person with Form DS-11. |
The clock starts on the issue date printed in the passport, not the day it arrives in your mailbox.
A 5-year child passport doesn’t turn into an adult one on your child’s 16th birthday. It stays valid until its own expiration date. When it runs out, your child applies again, and if they’re 16 or older by then, the new passport lasts 10 years.
Some passports are issued for less than the full term. The State Department calls these limited-validity passports. The most common example is an emergency passport issued abroad, which is valid for 1 year or less. If you have one, the expiration date on the data page is the date that counts.
An unexpired passport can also be unusable if it’s damaged. We cover that in what makes a passport invalid for travel.
How to find your passport’s expiration date
Open your passport to the data page, the one with your photo. The issue date and the expiration date are both printed there. On a passport card, they’re on the front.
Our tip: put the expiration date in your calendar with a reminder 9 months ahead. That covers a 6-month rule plus routine processing and mail time, so you’re never renewing in a rush.
What the 6-month rule is and who sets it
The 6-month rule comes from the country you’re visiting, and sometimes from your airline. The U.S. government doesn’t set it. The State Department’s own guidance is that some destinations require at least 6 months of validity beyond the dates of your trip, and some airlines won’t let you board if you don’t have it.
Countries don’t agree on the number, though. Some want 6 months beyond your arrival. Some want your passport valid for the length of your stay. Others only need it valid on the day you enter. Rules also change, which is why we don’t keep a country list on this page.
Instead, look up your destination on the State Department’s country information pages and read the “Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements” section. It tells you how long your passport has to be valid for that country.
Coming home is a different question. You don’t need 6 months left to fly home to the United States, but you do need a passport that hasn’t expired.
Is your passport still good enough for your trip?
Here’s a worked example. You fly out March 10 and come home March 20. Your passport expires August 1. That leaves about 4 and a half months after your return date.
For a country that asks for 6 months beyond your trip, that falls short, even though your passport is still valid on every day you’re away. For a country that only needs a valid passport on arrival, you’re fine. The destination’s rule decides it.
A simple rule of thumb
If you’re traveling internationally and your passport expires less than 6 months after you get home, renew it before you go. If you’re inside 9 months, start the renewal now, because processing and mail take time.
What to do if your passport expires soon
Renew it now rather than right before the trip. The State Department lists routine processing at 4 to 6 weeks and expedited processing at 2 to 3 weeks. Those are government times, and they don’t include mail. It can take up to 2 weeks for your application to reach the State Department and up to 2 weeks for your new passport to reach you. The busiest stretch runs from late winter through summer, so October to December is the easiest time to apply.
Most adults renew by mail with Form DS-82. If your passport expires within the next year, you may also qualify to renew online. Our guide to renewing a passport walks through who qualifies for each route and how to fill out the form.
Expedited service adds a government fee on top of the application fee. For current amounts, see how much a U.S. passport costs.
Traveling sooner than that? That’s what we do. We’re a registered courier service, and we hand-carry applications to a U.S. passport agency when your trip is close. You still pay the government fees, including the fee to expedite, and our service fee is on top of that. See renewal pricing and turnaround.
With our Emergency service, we can get your passport in as fast as 2 to 3 business days.
Already expired?
An expired passport can’t be used to travel abroad, and airlines will turn you away at check-in. You can still renew it by mail, as long as it was issued within the last 15 years and it isn’t damaged.
If you have a trip coming up, or you just found out at the airport, read what to do if your passport has expired. It covers domestic flights, what to do at the counter, and how to get a new passport fast.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a passport good for?
A U.S. passport is good for 10 years if you were 16 or older when it was issued, and 5 years if you were under 16. Count from the issue date on the data page. Some countries also want 6 months of validity left beyond your trip, so check your destination before you book.
How many years is a passport good for if you got it at 16 or 17?
Ten years. The 10-year term applies to anyone 16 or older on the issue date, so a 17-year-old gets the same passport term as an adult. Only passports issued under age 16 are limited to 5 years.
How often do passports expire?
Every 10 years for adults and every 5 years for children. If you travel internationally, plan to renew about 9 months before the expiration date. That keeps you clear of a 6-month rule and leaves time for processing.
How long does a passport book last?
A passport book lasts for its full validity: 10 years for adults, 5 for children under 16. Normal wear and tear, like folded pages or a small bend, doesn’t shorten it. Real damage, like water damage or torn-out pages, can make it unusable before then. See what makes a passport invalid.
Can I renew my passport before it expires?
Yes. You can renew any time, and there’s no penalty for doing it early. Most people renew early because of a destination’s 6-month rule, not because the passport has run out. Our renewal guide covers the steps.
Not sure your passport will pass for your trip? Call us. Our team can walk you through what your destination needs and what to do next, whether that’s renewing by mail or getting a passport fast. Contact The Passport Office.