How to replace the US Limited Validity Passport?
By support@click2visas.com
3 years
A US limited-validity passport is, as the name suggests, a regular passport with less validity. The standard passport in the United States has a 10-year validity period for those aged 16 and up and a 5-year validity period for children under the age of 16.
A limited validity passport is valid for a significantly shorter period, though the terms vary depending on the situation. If you are traveling due to an emergency abroad or a significant change in your life, a limited validity passport allows you to continue traveling without major setbacks or interruptions.
Even though the validity is less than a normal one, this will come in handy in someplace. While these handy but temporary passports come in handy in a pinch, they are not intended to be long-term solutions to your travel needs.
Learn everything you need to know about limited validity passports, including why they’re issued and steps to replace them with a regular passport.
The reason why you got the Limited Validity U.S. Passport?
State Department issues limited validity passport in below scenarios,
Passport issued Inside the U.S.
- Due to the Pending replacement of the naturalization certificate.
- Due to Change of Gender.
- Due to Change of Name.
Passport issued Outside the U.S.
- The limited passport was issued outside the U.S. for an emergency.
The renewal process for all scenarios is given below; please read and choose the correct renewal process.
How to replace the limited Validity U.S. Passport?
The replacement process will differ depending on the date of issue and why you got the limited validity passport. You could replace your limited validity U.S. passport by mail if it were issued less than 2 years ago. If it was issued more than 2 years ago, you must renew it in person at a passport acceptance facility.
1. Pending Replacement of Naturalization Certificate:
| When was your limited validity passport issued? | How to replace your limited validity passport | Limited Validity Replacing Process |
| Less than two years ago | Limited validity passport Renewal by Mail | Replace the limited passport by submitting the DS-5504 Form. |
| More than two years ago | Renewal of a Limited validity passport in Person at an Acceptance Facility | Replace the limited passport by submitting DS-11 Form. |
The table above explains the process of replacing based on the issued date. For more information, see the heading below.
Limited Validity Replacing Process – Under 2 years:
Send the following documents by mail (if you’re in the U.S.) or submit them in person at an embassy/consulate (if you’re abroad):
- DS-5504 Form.
- Your Limited validity passport
- One recent passport size photo
- Your certificate of naturalization
Please keep in mind that if you had paid the fees when you applied for your limited passport, you would not have to pay them again (unless you request Expedited Service).
Limited Validity Replace Process – More than 2 years:
In-person, submit the following documents to an acceptance facility or a passport agency:
- DS-11 Form
- Your Limited validity passport
- One recent passport size photo
- Valid ID and its Photocopy
- Your certificate of naturalization
- Renewal Fee
2. In case of Change of Gender:
| When was your limited validity passport issued? | How to replace your limited validity passport | Limited Validity Replace Process |
| Less than two years ago | Limited validity passport Renewal by Mail | Replace the limited passport by submitting the DS-5504 Form. |
| More than two years ago | Renewal of a Limited validity U.S. passport in Person at an Acceptance Facility | Replace the limited passport by submitting DS-11 Form. |
The table above explains the process of replacing based on the issued date. For more information, see the heading below.
Limited Validity Replace Process – less than 2 years:
Send the following documents by mail (if you’re in the U.S.) or submit them in person at an embassy/consulate (if you’re abroad):
- DS-5504 Form
- Your Limited validity passport
- One recent passport size photo
- A doctor letter; mentioning you have received clinical treatment
Please keep in mind that if you had paid the fees when you applied for your limited passport, you would not have to pay them again (unless you request Expedited Service).
Limited Validity Replace Process – More than 2 years:
In-person, submit the following documents to an acceptance facility or a passport agency:
- DS-11 Form
- Your Limited validity passport
- One recent passport size photo
- Valid ID and its Photocopy
- A doctor letter; mentioning you have received clinical treatment
- Renewal Fee
3. Change of Name:
| When was your limited validity passport issued? | How to replace your limited validity passport | Limited Validity Replace Process |
| Less than one year ago | Limited validity passport Renewal by Mail | Replace the limited passport by submitting the DS-5504 Form. |
| More than one year ago | Renewal of a Limited validity passport in Person at an Acceptance Facility | Replace the limited passport by submitting DS-11 Form. |
The table above explains the process of replacing based on the issued date. For more information, see the heading below.
Limited Validity Replace Process – less than 1 years:
Send the following documents by mail (if you’re in the U.S.) or submit them in person at an embassy/consulate (if you’re abroad):
- DS-5504 Form
- Your Limited validity passport
- One recent passport size photo
- Original or certified name change documentation (no photocopies or notarized copies)
Please keep in mind that if you had paid the fees when you applied for your limited passport, you would not have to pay them again (unless you request Expedited Service).
Limited Validity Replace Process – More than 1 years:
In-person, submit the following documents to an acceptance facility or a passport agency:
- DS-11 Form
- Your Limited validity passport
- One recent passport size photo
- Valid ID and its Photocopy
- Original or certified name change documentation (no photocopies or notarized copies)
- Renewal Fee
4. The limited passport was issued outside the U.S. for an emergency:
The below process is only applicable if you live outside the U.S. Usually, the limited validity passport is issued in emergencies only.
| When was your limited validity passport issued? | How to replace your limited validity passport | Limited Validity Replace Process |
| Less than one year ago | Limited validity passport Renewal by Mail | Replace the limited passport by submitting the DS-5504 or DS-11 Form. |
| More than a year ago but not more than 15 years ago | Renewal of a Limited validity passport in Person at an Acceptance Facility | Replace the limited passport by submitting DS-11 Form or DS-82 by mail, if eligible. |
The table above explains the process of replacing based on the issued date. For more information, see the heading below.
Limited Validity Replace Process – less than 1 years:
Send the following documents in person at an embassy/consulate:
- DS-5504 Form or DS-11
- Your Limited validity passport
- One recent passport size photo
Please keep in mind that if you had paid the fees when you applied for your limited passport, you would not have to pay them again (unless you request Expedited Service).
Limited Validity Replace Process – More than 1 years but not more than 15 years ago:
In-person, submit the following documents to an embassy/consulate abroad:
- DS-11 Form or DS-82 by mail if eligible
- Your Limited validity passport
- One recent passport size photo
- Valid ID and its Photocopy
- Renewal Fee
Limitations of Limited validity passport:
Limited validity passports resemble regular passports but typically have fewer pages. Most temporary passports also state that the document has a limited validity period.
Is it possible to exchange my limited validity passport for another limited validity passport?
Yes. For example, suppose you received a limited passport due to ongoing sex transition but still receive appropriate clinical treatment. In that case, you may replace your current limited passport with a new limited passport by completing Form DS-5504.
Is it acceptable to submit a photocopy of my naturalization certificate instead of the original?
No, you should submit the original. We will return it to you in addition to your new passport. We recommend using a trackable delivery method and secure packaging (such as a sturdy cardboard or Tyvek envelope).