US 10-Year Passport: 5 Conditions That Require Adults to Apply in Person

The United States Department of State has outlined five conditions that require adults to apply for a passport in person, clarifying which applicants can obtain the standard 10-year American passport and who is not eligible to use the renewal process.

The guidance applies to adults aged 18 and above applying for their first passport, as well as those whose existing travel documents do not meet the requirements for renewal.

According to the State Department, applicants whose passports have been lost, stolen or damaged must submit a fresh application in person at an approved passport acceptance facility. The same requirement applies to people whose passports were issued more than 15 years ago or before they turned 16.

The clarification is important for applicants who may mistakenly attempt to renew a passport that no longer qualifies for the simplified renewal process.

US Passport: 5 Conditions That Require an In-Person Application

The State Department identifies five categories of adults who must apply in person rather than use the regular renewal process.

Applicants are required to visit an approved acceptance facility if:

1. Their previous passport was lost: Anyone who can no longer locate their passport must apply in person.
2. Their passport was stolen: Applicants whose travel documents have been stolen must follow the in-person application procedure.
3. Their passport is damaged: A damaged passport does not qualify for the standard renewal process outlined for eligible applicants.
4. Their passport was issued more than 15 years ago: Holders of passports issued beyond this period must submit a new application in person.
5. Their passport was issued before they turned 16: Passports obtained as minors are not eligible for the adult renewal process, even if the document was issued relatively recently.

Applicants who fall into any of these categories must complete their applications at an approved acceptance facility.

How the US Passport Application Process Works

First-time adult applicants and people whose existing passports do not meet the renewal requirements must appear physically at a designated acceptance facility.

These facilities help the State Department verify applicants’ identities, collect biometric information and process original supporting documents.

The process differs from the renewal route available to adults who meet the eligibility conditions.

According to the published guidance, adults can qualify for the separate renewal process if their existing passport is valid, undamaged, was issued within the last 15 years and was obtained after they turned 16.

Applicants who meet these conditions can follow the applicable renewal procedure instead of submitting a fresh application through an acceptance facility.

The State Department advises applicants to establish their eligibility before starting the process. Using the wrong application channel could delay passport issuance.

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Who Qualifies for a 10-Year American Passport?

The 10-year validity period applies to passports issued to adults aged 16 and above.

However, the age at which an applicant received their previous passport matters when determining whether they can renew it.

Someone whose passport was issued before their 16th birthday must apply through the adult application process, even if the document appears relatively recent.

This is because American passports issued to minors generally carry a five-year validity period, making them ineligible for the adult renewal procedure described in the guidance.

The distinction means that applicants should check both the date their previous passport was issued and their age at the time.

US Ends Routine Passport Stamps for Travellers

The passport application clarification comes amid other changes to America’s travel and border management procedures.

The United States previously ended the routine stamping of passports for travellers entering the country.

The decision was contained in a bulletin published on October 1, 2026, through the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Carrier Liaison Program.

CBP described the move as part of efforts to modernise border management, with greater reliance on automated processes, mobile services and facial biometric technology.

The change reflects the growing use of digital systems in tracking and processing international travellers.

For passport applicants, understanding the difference between first-time applications, in-person applications and renewals remains important to avoiding unnecessary delays.