How long is a U.S. passport valid?
By Tom Jones
Editor-in-Chief, PassportOfficesLast reviewed Editorial policy
Short answer
How long is a U.S. passport valid?
A U.S. passport book issued to an adult (age 16 or older) is valid for 10 years. A passport issued to a child under 16 is valid for 5 years. Passport cards follow the same 10-year and 5-year rules. Many countries additionally require your passport to be valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates.
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Key takeaways
- Adult passport (age 16+): valid 10 years from the issue date.
- Child passport (under 16): valid 5 years and cannot be renewed — you apply again in person.
- Passport cards follow the same 10-year / 5-year validity as books.
- Many countries require 6 months of remaining validity beyond your trip — an unexpired passport can still be too old to travel.
- Check the expiration date and your destination's entry rules before booking international travel.
Full answer
Validity starts on the issue date printed in the passport, not the day you applied. An adult passport issued on June 1, 2026 expires on June 1, 2036. Child passports expire 5 years after issue, which is why families with young children reapply more often.
The six-month validity rule catches many travelers off guard. A large number of countries — including much of Europe's Schengen area, China, and many destinations in Asia and South America — require your passport to remain valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival or departure date. Your passport can be unexpired and still get you denied boarding.
Because child passports cannot be renewed, a child whose passport expires needs a brand-new in-person application with Form DS-11, even if they had a passport before. Adults renewing within the eligibility window can usually renew by mail with Form DS-82 or online.
The practical rule of thumb: if your passport expires within the next 9 months and you have international travel planned, renew now. That buffer covers both the six-month entry rules and current processing times.