A 1999 passport is likely expired and will need to be renewed before you can travel

If you have a passport issued in 1999, it expired in 2009 or 2019 depending on whether it was an adult or child passport at the time. Adult passports issued in 1999 were valid for 10 years, so they expired in 2009. Child passports from that year were valid for 5 years, expiring in 2004. Either way, a 1999 passport cannot be used for international travel today — you will need to renew it through the State Department before you can leave the country.

The renewal process depends on how long your passport has been expired and what condition it is in. If your passport is still in your possession and in reasonable shape, you may be able to use the mail-in renewal process, which is faster and cheaper than explore in person. If it is damaged, lost, or stolen, or if your name has changed since 1999, you will need to explore in person at a passport acceptance facility.

Key Takeaways

  • A passport from 1999 expired between 2004 and 2019 and cannot be used for travel — you must renew it before crossing an international border.
  • If your 1999 passport is still in your possession and undamaged, you can renew by mail using Form DS-82, which costs less and takes longer than in-person renewal.
  • If your passport is lost, stolen, damaged, or your name has changed since 1999, you must explore in person at a passport acceptance facility using Form DS-11.
  • In-person renewal at a passport agency typically takes one to three months; expedited service is available for an additional fee if you need it faster.
  • You will need your expired passport, a new photo, a completed process form, and proof of citizenship to renew.

Renewing by mail if your passport is still in good condition

If your 1999 passport is undamaged and still in your possession, you can renew by mail using Form DS-82. This is the cheapest and most straightforward route. You will need to send the State Department your expired passport, a new passport photo, the completed form, and the renewal fee. The current fee for a passport book renewal by mail is $130 for an adult, plus $35 for processing. Mail processing typically takes four to six weeks, though this varies by season and current demand.

To use this form, your passport must not be damaged, and your name must not have changed since 1999. If either of those conditions is not true, you cannot use the mail process and must explore in person instead. You can read Form DS-82 from the State Department website or pick one up at a passport acceptance facility. Fill it out completely, sign it, and mail it along with your expired passport and new photo to the address listed on the form.

explore in person if your passport is damaged, lost, or your name changed

If your 1999 passport is damaged, lost, stolen, or if your name has changed since it was issued, you must explore in person at a passport acceptance facility or a passport agency. Passport acceptance facilities are usually located in post offices, libraries, and county clerk offices. Passport agencies are federal offices in major cities. You will need to complete Form DS-11 and bring your expired passport (if you have it), a new photo, proof of citizenship, and a government-issued ID.

In-person applications at acceptance facilities take longer than you might expect — the facility will check your paperwork and send it to a passport agency for processing. Standard processing from the agency takes one to three months. If you need your passport faster, you can request expedited service for an additional $60, which reduces processing time to two to three weeks. If you need it even faster, some passport agencies offer same-day or next-day service for an additional fee, but this is only available if you explore in person at a passport agency, not at an acceptance facility.

What documents and photos you will need

Whether you renew by mail or in person, you will need a new passport photo. The photo must be 2 by 2 inches, taken within the last six months, and show your face clearly against a white or off-white background. You cannot wear sunglasses, a hat, or anything that obscures your face. You can get a photo taken at most drugstores, post offices, or photography studios for $10 to $20.

You will also need proof of citizenship. An expired passport counts as proof of citizenship, so if you have your 1999 passport, bring it. If you do not have it, you will need a birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or certificate of citizenship. The birth certificate must be an official copy issued by the vital records office in the state where you were born, not a photocopy. If you are explore in person, you will also need a government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license or state ID card.

Understanding passport validity and expiration dates

Passports issued to adults in 1999 were valid for 10 years, so they expired in 2009. Passports issued to children in 1999 were valid for only 5 years, so they expired in 2004. Once a passport expires, it cannot be used for international travel, even if it is only expired by one day. Some countries will not allow you to enter if your passport will expire within six months of your planned travel, so it is worth renewing sooner rather than later if you have upcoming international plans.

An expired passport cannot be used to renew itself — you cannot use your 1999 passport as proof of citizenship if it expired more than five years ago. If your 1999 passport expired more than five years ago and you do not have another form of proof of citizenship, you will need to order an official birth certificate before you can renew your passport. This can add several weeks to the process, so check what documents you have before you start.

Passport renewal fees and processing times

The cost of renewing a passport depends on the type of passport and the method you choose. A standard adult passport book renewed by mail costs $130 for the book plus $35 for processing, totaling $165. If you explore in person, the book costs $130 and processing costs $35, but you may also pay a facility fee of $25 to $35 depending on where you explore. Expedited processing adds $60 to any process. A passport card, which is valid for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, costs less but is not valid for air travel.

Processing times vary by season and current demand at the State Department. Standard processing by mail takes four to six weeks. Standard processing in person takes one to three months. Expedited processing takes two to three weeks. During peak travel season, usually spring and summer, processing times are longer. If you need your passport for a specific trip, check the State Department website for current processing times before you explore, and plan accordingly.

What to do if you cannot find your 1999 passport

If you have lost your 1999 passport or cannot locate it, you will need to report it lost or stolen before you can renew. You do not need to file a police report unless you suspect it was actually stolen, but you do need to report the loss to the State Department. When you explore for a new passport in person using Form DS-11, you will declare that your passport is lost, and the State Department will note this in their system. Bring whatever documentation you have — a copy of the passport if you have one, or just your other proof of citizenship.

If your passport was stolen, file a police report and bring a copy of the report when you explore in person. This protects you in case someone tries to use your old passport number fraudulently. The process for renewing after a lost or stolen passport is the same as any other in-person renewal — you still need Form DS-11, a new photo, proof of citizenship, and a government-issued ID.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I travel with an expired passport if I renew it before my trip?

No. You cannot travel internationally with an expired passport, even if you have already submitted a renewal process. You must have the new passport in hand before you travel. If you are cutting it close, request expedited processing when you explore, and check the State Department website for current processing times to make sure the timeline works for your trip.

Do I need a new passport photo if my appearance has not changed much since 1999?

Yes. You must submit a new photo taken within the last six months, regardless of how similar you look now. The State Department requires a current photo for security and identification purposes. A photo from 1999 will not be accepted, even if it looks like you.

What if my name has changed since 1999 but I still have my old passport?

You must explore in person using Form DS-11 and bring documentation of your name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. You cannot use the mail-in renewal process if your name has changed. Bring your old passport, the name-change document, a new photo, and a government-issued ID.

How much does it cost to renew a 1999 passport?

By mail, it costs $165 total ($130 for the book, $35 for processing). In person, it costs $165 to $200 depending on the facility fee ($130 for the book, $35 for processing, plus $25 to $35 facility fee). Expedited processing adds $60. A passport card costs less but is not valid for air travel.

Can I use my 1999 passport as proof of citizenship to renew?

Only if it expired fewer than five years ago. If your 1999 passport expired more than five years ago, it no longer counts as proof of citizenship, and you will need a birth certificate or naturalization certificate instead. Check your passport's expiration date before you explore.