Title: Do They Return Your Old Passport? The Surprising Truth Behind Passport Renewal Procedures
When it comes to renewing your passport, one of the most common questions that travelers often ask is, “Do they return your old passport?” The answer to this question may vary depending on the country you are applying for a passport renewal. To shed some light on this issue, let’s delve into the process of passport renewal and explore whether you can keep or must surrender your old passport.
In many countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, applicants for passport renewal are required to submit their old passports as part of the renewal process. This is because the old passport contains valuable information such as previous visas, entry and exit stamps, and biographical data that can help verify the applicant’s identity and travel history.
When you apply for a passport renewal, you will be asked to submit your old passport along with the renewal application form, passport photos, and any other required documents. Once the renewal process is completed and a new passport is issued, the old passport will usually be cancelled and returned to the applicant along with the new passport.
However, there are some cases where the old passport may not be returned to the applicant. For example, if the old passport is damaged, expired for more than a certain period (typically 6 months), reported lost or stolen, or if there are suspicions of fraudulent activity, the old passport may be retained by the passport authorities.
In the United States, when you apply for a passport renewal, your old passport will be returned to you along with your new passport. The old passport will be cancelled by punching a hole in the biographical page and stamping it as “cancelled.” It is important to keep the cancelled passport in a safe place as it may still contain valid visas or entry stamps that can be used for reference in the future.
In the United Kingdom, when you renew your passport, you will be asked to submit your old passport along with the renewal application form. The old passport will be returned to you along with your new passport, but it will be cancelled by cutting off the corner of the biographical page. Again, it is important to keep the cancelled passport for future reference.
In Australia, when you renew your passport, you will need to submit your old passport as part of the renewal process. The old passport will be returned to you along with your new passport, but it will be cancelled by punching a hole in the biographical page. It is recommended to keep the cancelled passport in a safe place as it may still be required for travel documentation in the future.
In Canada, when you renew your passport, you will be required to submit your old passport along with the renewal application form. The old passport will be returned to you along with your new passport, but it will be cancelled by cutting off the corner of the biographical page. It is advisable to keep the cancelled passport for reference purposes.
Overall, the general practice in most countries is to return the old passport to the applicant after a passport renewal, unless there are specific reasons for retaining it. The old passport may be cancelled in various ways, such as punching a hole in the biographical page, cutting off the corner, or stamping it as “cancelled.” It is important to keep the cancelled passport in a safe place for future reference and as a valuable travel document.
In conclusion, when you renew your passport, you can generally expect to receive your old passport back along with your new passport. However, it is always advisable to check with the relevant passport authorities in your country to understand the specific procedures and requirements for passport renewal. Keeping your old passport safe is essential for maintaining a record of your travel history and for potential future use. So, do they return your old passport? In most cases, yes, but it is always wise to be informed and prepared when it comes to passport renewal procedures.
