DocsPocketChildren's passport expiry
Children's passports expire sooner than you think
Many parents assume every passport lasts 10 years. A child's passport usually lasts just 5 — so it can quietly run out between family holidays.
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Typical validity
- UK: 5 years for children under 16, 10 years for adults.
- USA: 5 years for children under 16, 10 years for adults.
- EU: rules vary by country — children's passports often last 5–6 years, and some countries issue them for even less. Check your own passport office.
- Elsewhere: rules vary — check your passport office.
Plan around the 6-month rule
A 5-year passport effectively gives you about 4½ usable years for destinations that need 6 months' validity. Renewing a child's passport also needs a new photo and, often, extra consent paperwork — so start early.
This applies to British and American families alike. For EU families travelling inside the EU there are no minimum-validity rules — but the same 3-month and 6-month rules kick in once you fly further afield.
Let DocsPocket remember for you
Add each child's passport and you'll be reminded 12 months and 6 months before expiry — by email, text, and to a second parent if you wish.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a child's passport valid?
In the UK and the USA a child's passport is usually valid for 5 years (UK under 16, USA under 16). Other countries vary — some issue children's passports for even shorter periods.
Why do children's passports expire sooner?
Children's faces change quickly, so a shorter validity keeps the photo recognisable at border control.
Will the 6-month rule apply to my child?
Yes. Entry validity rules apply to children's passports exactly as they do to adults'.
General guidance only. Entry and passport rules change — always confirm with the official government website of your destination and your passport office before you travel.