The Passport Agency didn't send back my old passport

by Gary
(Rhode Island)

About five or six weeks ago I sent my old passport with everything else to get a passport renewal. I just received my new passport the other day and I am realizing now that they didn't give me back my old one.

I want to have it for memory's sake, there are a bunch of stamps from all over the world in there. It would be a shame to not have it. How should I request it back? I hope they didn't destroy it yet!

ANSWER:

Hi Gary,

Most of the time the Passport Agency will send your old passport back to you. Sometimes it arrives with your new passport but other times it is sent back to you separately. I think they should be more clear on why they sometimes are late sending back the old ones so people don't get upset.

You can contact them by phone to ask but there is a good chance that it is already on its way to you in the mail. Here is the Passport Information Center number: 1-877-487-2778