A limited passport is one provided for a specific reason -- usually emergency travel -- and is valid less than the standard length of time of 10 years for adults and five years for minors 15 and younger. Most limited passports are valid only one or two years. Internationally issued limited passports are often provided when a passport is lost or stolen during travel or residence abroad. According to the U.S. State Department, limited passports are usually issued domestically due to "a citizenship, identity, name or gender documentation deficiency."

Tip

  • Once you have reported your passport lost or stolen, you no longer can use it for travel or for evidence of U.S. citizenship.

How to Obtain a Limited Passport

Obtaining a limited passport will depend on where you are and why you need it. In most cases, you follow normal application procedures for passport issuance or renewal, and the State Department will decide whether to issue you a full or limited passport.

Tip

  • When traveling, store a color photocopy of your identification (including passport, driver's license and Social Security card) in a safe, locked location. These will help prove your identity if your ID is lost or stolen.

I am Outside the United States

If your passport is lost or stolen while you are outside the United States, a number of steps must be followed to be issued a replacement -- and usually limited -- passport.

Report the occurrence to the local police. A police report will help with replacement, and you may need it for insurance purposes.

Call -- or have someone in the United States call -- the State Department's Overseas Citizens Services. You can report a lost or stolen passport or obtain other assistance. From Canada or the U.S. call: 1-888-407-4747 and from overseas call: 1-202-501-4444.

Visit your closest consulate or embassy, where employees will walk you through the process of replacement. It may take time to get the passport replaced, so you may be unable to travel immediately.

Tip

I am Inside the United States

If there are questions about your documentation or you are in a state of transition -- waiting for U.S. citizenship, changing gender, etc. -- when you apply for a passport, you will be issued a limited passport and must follow the renewal time frame to obtain a full passport.

If you have emergency travel plans, or have had your passport lost or stolen before travel, make an appointment to apply in person at a Passport Center or Agency. You will need to submit both a DS-64 (Statement Regarding a Lost or Stolen Passport) and a DS-11(passport application) form to the agency. You will also need to:

  • Provide a color photo.
  • Present required identification.
  • Pay the established fees.

It will be decided by the U.S. State Department whether you will be issued a limited or full passport in these instances.

How to Renew a Limited Passport

Renewing or replacing a limited passport will depend upon the reason it was issued, where the issuance occurred and how long ago it took place.

Issued Internationally -- Less than One Year

If you have an emergency passport that was issued less than one year ago, you do not need to pay to replace it and can complete the process by mail. Send your limited passport, a color photo and form DS-5504.

Issued Internationally -- More than One Year, Less than 15

If your passport was issued more than one year but less than 15 years ago, you can replace it by completing a DS-82 form and sending it along with the appropriate fee and a color photo.

Issued Domestically -- Less than One Year (or Two for Ongoing Gender Transitions and Naturalization)

Renewals of domestically issued limited passports require form DS-5504, a color photo and proof of the name change, gender change or U.S. citizenship. There is no charge to renew your passport in these circumstances.

Tip

  • When you were issued your limited passport, you will have been told what evidence was needed for your passport renewal process.

Issued Domestically More than One Year Ago

You must submit Form DS-11 in person at a Passport Acceptance Facility or a Passport Agency, along with a valid ID and photocopy of your ID. In addition, you need to pay the current passport fees, supply a color passport photo and provide proof of the gender change, name change or U.S. citizenship.

Tip

  • Certain circumstances require more proof and documentation. These include repeated lost and stolen passport replacements and being a victim of a serious disaster, among others. You will be provided with written instructions when you obtain your limited passport.

About the Author

Based in Toronto, Tanya Gulliver has been writing professionally for more than 20 years. She is pursuing a doctorate in environmental studies focusing on catastrophic disasters. She was first published as a pre-teen, co-writing a weekly events column for her local paper where her goal was to frequently mention her friends and family in the paper.

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