Should I Destroy My Expired Passport?

 It is generally not recommended to destroy your expired passport, as it can still be needed for specific situations

When you get a new passport, one may no longer feel the need to keep the old expired passport. However, not many people know that an old passport can still be useful in the future. Let us take a look at some important aspects, in terms of whether you should destroy your expired passport or not.

Record of past visas - If your expired passport has visas or immigration stamps, they may still be needed for future travel. There are several countries that require you to carry the old passport if it has a visa. An expired passport may also be necessary in cases where an immigration officer wants to see your past travel history. For specific visa applications like US B1 and B2 renewals, you will be required to enter the details of the old passports.

Proof of identity - Even when expired, the old passport can still be used as an identity proof. Since it is issued by the government and is vetted by the police, it serves as a reliable proof of identity. It can also be useful in case you lose your new passport and are filing a reissue application. There can also be official government processes, where historical details of your expired passport may be needed.

Legal requirement - There is no law that mandates that you should retain your expired passport. In most cases, the expired passport is stamped as 'Cancelled' and returned to the user. You are not required to destroy it after receiving the new one. If you have one or a few expired passports, it would be better to keep them with you. Unless you are a frequent traveler and have a full bundle of expired / fully used up passports, it is recommended that you retain the old passport.

Sentimental factors - Some people may want to retain their expired passport for sentimental reasons. It could be linked to their first visit overseas, an important family gathering, a memorable event, etc. A passport can also be linked to one's achievements in their respective career, which may have unlocked opportunities for foreign travel.

As is evident from above, there are many reasons why it will be better to retain your expired passport. However, if you still want to destroy your expired passport for security and privacy concerns, make sure it does not have any active visas or immigration stamps. Before destroying the expired passport, make sure you note down the details or keep photocopies or soft copies (images).

Make sure the expired passport is destroyed properly using a shredder machine or something similar. If you have a chip-based passport, remove the chip and destroy it separately. If you plan to keep your expired passport, make sure you store it in a safe place.