Will I need to show my birth certificate if my passport has expired?

[Zoey]

Hi there,
I am a post-op MTF and my birth certificate was not actually changed, but I received an amendment which specifies my [new] female gender. So it's always kind of annoying having to show my birth certificate, and I haven't had to in years because I had a passport which unequivocally stated my female gender. Unfortunately, I noticed that my passport has now expired. I may want to travel abroad next year, so my question is:

When I go to get a current passport, will showing the old, expired passport suffice or will I need to present my birth certificate (which has the dreaded "male" designation + the amendment)?

Any info appreciated! Thanks so much.

[Devlyn]

I don't have a legitimate answer, but that hasn't slowed me down before! I would bring all the documentation but try to sweet talk my way into it with just the expired passport. Hugs, Devlyn

[blueconstancy]

It depends on how long ago the passport expired. An adult's passport is good for 10 years, and you can renew by mail - which means, with no birth certificate - if it was issued within the last 15 years. I don't see this explicitly spelled out, but it would then seem that if it expired less than five years ago, you're good.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/faq/faq_1741.html

http://travel.state.gov/passport/renew/renew_833.html

http://travel.state.gov/passport/forms/ds82/ds82_843.html (list of requirements - no BC is mentioned or necessary)

[Zoey]

Thank you both! I know I did have to show my BC when I got my passport in 2001. Looks like I may not have to again though. :-)

[JoanneB]

Here in the USA all you need is your old passport and a new set of pics to renew. (of course filling out the form and $$$$) It takes about 2-4 weeks to process the last time I did mine a couple of years ago.

As far as government paperwork is concerned, this is easy. About as painfull as renewing a drivers license

[spacial]

Zoey.

As humiliating as it might be to be forced to look again at a aspect of your life, you'd understandably like to leave behind, you have nothing to be ashamed of.

That was you, that's where you came from. After all, we all started from a point where we screemed and wet ourselves. There are rather less common elements in your background, but they are still just that, background.

Since you can't move the mountain, may I respectfully suggest you stand with your back to it, if you see what I mean?

You wanna mess with me pal? I got over that. Now gimmie my passport.

[Genevieve Swann]

I have renewed my passport in the past and all that was needed is the old passport. In fact, there is a record of you and when a passport is lost or stolen they will renew. However, the rules may have changed.