Does Your Passport Number Change? When You Renew or Replace It

 

Some people have a handy spreadsheet to store the numbers of their documents. In the same way, you might keep your it somewhere at hand to book your flights quickly.

Let’s get the answer to: Do your passport numbers change when you renew your passport or change your name, or lost it and get a new one?

Does your passport number change when you renew it?

The short answer is yes. You will get a new passport and a different number with it. The most crucial moment here is to make sure your plane tickets contain your new passport digits, even if you booked the ticket using your old document.

We’ll get back to that in a minute. But what is a passport number and where is it supposed to change?

What is a passport number?

A U.S. passport number is unique to that passport book or card. You’ll find it on the biographical data page with your photo and personal information. It’s used for visas, airline bookings, and other travel records—and it changes every time you get a new passport.

Don’t confuse your passport number with your passport application locator number. The first two digits of the nine-digit locator (shown in passportstatus.state.gov) tell you which passport agency or center is processing your application. Those codes are not the same as decoding your passport book number, and they can change over time—check travel.state.gov for the current list.

Where is my passport number?

The page location of the passport number varies depending on the country of issue and it can also contain not only digits but letters. You won’t miss it if you look in the Machine Readable Zone (MRZ).

When your passport numbers change when you renew it?

As we mentioned earlier, your current passport will have a changed different number to that of your expired one. It’s not given for a lifetime. The occasions when you need it are flight reservations, visa applications, and your document renewal in case you’ve lost it.

Does the passport number change if you lost it? Yes, it does. You’ll get a new document and a different number. And the old one will no longer be valid.

How does a new passport number affect visas?

It’s better to keep track of your document expiration and issue date and the period your visa was issued for. It usually appears difficult, but you can first change your passport and the number with it and then apply for your visa.

If your old passport still has a valid visa you need, check with the foreign embassy or consulate that issued the visa to confirm you can keep using it. If they say yes, travel with both your new passport and the old one that holds the visa. After you apply for a new passport, do not use the previous passport for travel on its own.

How to find the passport number without the passport?

Search for your old online tickets, you can find unchanged passport number logged in. If you apply for a replacement document for its being lost or damaged, you’re likely to be asked to provide the number of the previous document in your application form. It’s not obligatory, it only helps processing your new document.

Book flights while renewing your passport and changing your number

It’s possible to book your flight with an old document. However, when boarding the flight, passport number and that in your flight ticket must match. You’ll have to contact your airline to make the necessary arrangements in advance. To avoid the risks, double-check the expiration date of your document and seek renewal service before booking the flight to your destination.

Does your US passport number change when you change your name?

The passport number changes when you change your name, when you renew, or get a new one since it’s lost. You’ll get a new passport with its unique number and a new name on it if it’s changed.

FAQ

Do I need to keep my passport number confidential, like my Social Security number?

The passport number is not high-security risk information. At the same time, it contains additional vital information on the page. It includes the full name of the holder, date of birth, and gender. Still, you should be careful who has access to it.

Does your passport number change when you go from child to adult?

The passport number changes when you get a 10-year adult’s doc with your new photo.

Does your US passport number ever change when you renew in the USA?

Yes, it does. In case you can’t find your passport number, you can contact your government’s agency.