arrow_back Back to App

Easier US Passport Renewals During COVID-19 Pandemic

This act introduces a simplified procedure for renewing or extending the validity of US passports that expired or will expire during the COVID-19 pandemic. This allows citizens to travel more easily, even if their passport has expired, without going through the standard, often longer, renewal process.
Key points
Passports that expired during the COVID-19 emergency or are set to expire by March 31, 2022, can be extended until July 31, 2022.
The State Department will inform other countries about these extensions to facilitate travel.
US border control will accept these extended passports as valid until July 31, 2022.
This expedited procedure is temporary, expiring on January 31, 2022, and does not change the regular passport renewal process.
article Official text account_balance Process page
Expired
Citizen Poll
No votes cast
Additional Information
Print number: 117_HR_4615
Sponsor: Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]
Process start date: 2021-07-22
Lustra uses Artificial Intelligence. Verify details in source documents.
Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-05-20
Source data: api.congress.gov
AI work logs for this document launch

OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

Passport Emergency Extension Act of 2021

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 117_HR_4615.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the House of Representatives.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2021-07-22.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Passports that expired during the COVID-19 emergency or are set to expire by March 31, 2022, can be extended until July 31, 2022.
  • The State Department will inform other countries about these extensions to facilitate travel.
  • US border control will accept these extended passports as valid until July 31, 2022.
  • This expedited procedure is temporary, expiring on January 31, 2022, and does not change the regular passport renewal process.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-28.

CATEGORIES

Migration