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Nobody likes having to keep track of important numbers, and we all have too many to remember: social security numbers, driver’s license numbers, bank account numbers and passport numbers. Does a passport renewal mean a passport number change?
Unfortunately, it does . When you get a new passport, you get a new passport number to keep track of and you’ll need to update your records accordingly. If you book a flight but your passport is set to expire soon, your new passport will have a new passport number. You will want to make sure you update your airline ticket and flight itinerary to reflect your new passport number.
What is a passport number?
According to the Social Security Administration, a passport number indicates which passport office the passport was issued in. By looking at a passport number, you can tell where it was issued and possibly where it was applied for. For example, if your passport number starts with “01,” it came from the Washington Passport Agency. If it starts with “04”, it was issued in Miami, and so on. If it came from the National Passport Center in New Hampshire, it will start with a “15”, “20” or “21,” depending on the date of issue. Passports that start with the number “60” are no-fee passports for military dependents. “80” is the prefix for “official” passports, while diplomatic passports always start with “90.”
Did you replace your passport at an embassy or consulate overseas? Then your passport number will begin with the letter “Z” or the number “70.” Both indicate that the passport, if issued after 2002, is an emergency passport and is only valid for a year.
Where is my passport number?
Your passport number can be found on the first page of your passport book along with your passport photo. Your passport information is not a high risk security concern. However, you should still be careful who has access to this information. Additional vital information on the page will include your full name, date of birth, and gender. Your passport number may also appear on your flight itinerary. If you are missing your passport number and cannot locate your passport, you may want to search old airline tickets as the may have logged your passport number. If you lose your passport, the lost passport application will ask for your old passport number. You don’t need to provide this information if you cannot find it, but it does help with the processing of your application. When you apply for a passport renewal or a replacement passport, you will get a new passport number.
Get a new passport number with your passport renewal.
To get your passport renewal, you should ideally apply for it at least 9 weeks in advance. Regular processing times average 6 weeks or longer, especially if the passport office is busy. Check current processing times here.
If you spring for the government’s expedited processing, you’ll end up paying an additional $60 and still waiting 3 weeks or longer. For faster service, you can either make an appointment and wait in line at one of the regional passport agency offices in the country, or you can engage the services of a passport expediting company like RushMyPassport. We deliver your application directly to the Department of State for processing in as little as 24 hours.
Let us help you rush your passport renewal today!
You can not add your old passport number to your new document when renewing. You will be provided with a new, unique passport number.
Excellent and reassuring
Does passport number change after updating the civil status from single to married?
Each time you secure a passport renewal, regardless of marital status, the passport number will change.
Hi, if I order a replacement passport for a lost passport, will the new passport have the same number as the old one?
Great question. The new passport will be given a new passport number.
Hi, me and another family member just recently submitted for passport renewals at the same time and just got them back. One of us got back what looks like an older style passport and passport number series (just numbers) while the other seems like a newer style with a hard plastic page inside and a different style number series that starts with “A00…”. Any difference between the passport styles and number series? Thoughts on why one of us would have received a newer style passport and not the other?
Question: If my passport number has been changed and I’m on a student visa, will i have to face any issues as my visa was issued on the previous number.
No, you will want to just use both passports while in transit.
My passport has been damaged If I will change/renew this. Where did I get my new passport number after renewal? Is there in the receipt? Or what? Thank you!
You will need to apply for a new passport if your passport is damaged. You will be issued a new passport number. If you are traveling soon, please call us and we can walk you through the steps. If you are not traveling in the next 30 days, please visit your post office for standard service.
how can you get a certification to prove the same person after passport renew with a different number as the old passport. the foreign country’s bank won’t accept my new passport because the passport number changed, even I showed them the old one. is there anyway I can get some kind document to show the bank that both passwords belong to me?
Not that we are aware of. If you are overseas, you may want to ask your nearest consulate or Embassy to assist you.
Does a new passport number link up internationally with a previous passport number? And does Social Sercurity Agency link to your passport number?
No, the numbers are not linked and SSA is not linked to your passport number.
A visa I applied for got rejected for putting in the wrong Information , if I re apply with a new passport number would they be able to see my previous attempt ?
Sorry, we can’t advise on this as we are not familiar with the specifics of the visa review policy for each country.
I applied for a passport renewal, but I misplaced the slip given to me unknowingly , I can’t get the enrollment number to know if it’s ready and it’s more than two now, please can I get any help
You will need to contact the Passport Agency directly: 877-487-2778
Hi. I recently had my passport fixed because of error in the spelling of my name. I unknowingly applied for a visa using the incorrect passport’s number, and the visa got approved with that passport number. Is there any way I can get my new passport to have the same number as the old passport? Since it’s not expired but just wrong?
No. It’s best for you to either get a new visa or travel with both passports. This is not uncommon when applicants have an old passport with a current visa. They will carry both passports for travel to that country.
Actually, it’s illegal in the US for you to have two passports, and for the application which changes the spelling, the applicant is required to submit their old passport, which is not returned to them.
There’s a little bit of a miscommunication here. You are right, I should have clarified that the incorrect passport will not be returned. However, if an applicant renews their passport, their old passport will be hole punched and invalidated, however the passport will be returned. Travelers often carry this old passport if they do not move their 10 yr visa to their new passport. For example, China visas will not be moved to the new passport but it’s permissible to travel with the new passport and the old one accompanies for the visa. Ideally, the visa would be re-applied for and included in the new passport but that’s not always the case.
How does the passport number change affect my Global Entry card, which is linked to my passport number?
Hi Wendy, You’ll just need to update your Global Online Enrollment System account with new passport number, and then you’ll be good to go!
I have an emergency passport because my normal passport was stolen. Will my new passport have a different number than the emergency passport?
Hi Kristy, Yes, it will.