How often do you have to renew a U.S. passport?

U.S. passports are generally valid for 10 years if the holder was at least 16 years old at the time of issue. If the holder was 15 years old or younger at the time of issue, the passport is only valid for five years.

Some travelers may need to renew their passports well in advance of the expiration date. Some countries require visitors' passports to be valid for six months beyond the date of the trip. European countries generally require three months of validity beyond the date of the trip. Certain airlines also refuse boarding to visitors whose passports are near their expiration date.