Passport lost, applied for new, passport found...can I keep using it?

[Gomezant 4]

Hello,

 

I lost my US Passport.

 

I applied for a new one, but forgot to file a lost report with the passport agency.

 

They sent me a letter saying to resend an application with the lost passport report.

 

I found my passport.

 

What I want to see if anyone here knows is; once you apply for a new passport(having lost the one you had), does the prior one get discontinued, even if the full process isn't complete yet?

 

Or do you think I can just go about using the found passport, which is not expired.

 

I know I can write a letter to the passport agency, but they take over a month to answer, and when I call the "help" line at NPIC they NEVER EVER pick up. And the NPIC email is just responding with unhelpful canned info.

 

I thought there might have been a place online where once could validate one's passport number. But I haven't found such place in USCIS/Dept of States sites.

 

But I'll probably end up writing a letter to them if no info here.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

 

 

Edited March 31, 2023 by Gomezant

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

So the application for the new passport was not processed?

 

Then there should not be an issue. 

[Gomezant 4]

Well that's the thing, I don't know what processed means in terms of what step THEY are in. It could be that the first thing they do is automatically cancel the prior number as part of the process, but the process isn't complete.

 

 

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

6 minutes ago, Gomezant said:

Well that's the thing, I don't know what processed means in terms of what step THEY are in. It could be that the first thing they do is automatically cancel the prior number as part of the process, but the process isn't complete.

 

 

If they are asking you to file a new application, doubt they processed the previous one. 

How did you file? Have you checked the status of your application? 

[Gomezant 4]

Filed by mail.

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

12 minutes ago, Gomezant said:

Filed by mail.

Check the status of your application here: 

https://passportstatus.state.gov/

[Gomezant 4]

Thanks, all that tells me is that they received my application, and it's in process.

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

Just now, Gomezant said:

Thanks, all that tells me is that they received my application, and it's in process.

I think your "lost" passport is still valid. What I would do is going to a deferred inspection site and inquire - maybe get the passport scanned to see what happens-.

[Adujarric 67]

5 hours ago, Allaboutwaiting said:

I think your "lost" passport is still valid. What I would do is going to a deferred inspection site and inquire - maybe get the passport scanned to see what happens-.

I dont think it would work once the application is in process unless he gets in contact with someone in the DOS to withdraw the application which im not even sure if it works like that. Every passport has a different number which i notice when i filed a DS-5504 for my wife because of a typo on her middle name. We got back both the passport with the typo and the corrected one. The one with the typo came back with a clipped type hole i guess to make invalid. But both had different passport numbers. 

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

1 minute ago, Adujarric said:

I dont think it would work once the application is in process unless he gets in contact with someone in the DOS to withdraw the application which im not even sure if it works like that. Every passport has a different number which i notice when i filed a DS-5504 for my wife because of a typo on her middle name. We got back both the passport with the typo and the corrected one. The one with the typo came back with a clipped type hole i guess to make invalid. But both had different passport numbers. 

Every passport has a different number, and that's not what makes it valid or not; it is the hole that actually makes it invalid - that's why every country requires the old passport and returns it with some sort of damage-.

 

OP has the old non expired undamaged passport. 

[Adujarric 67]

11 minutes ago, Allaboutwaiting said:

Every passport has a different number, and that's not what makes it valid or not; it is the hole that actually makes it invalid - that's why every country requires the old passport and returns it with some sort of damage-.

 

OP has the old non expired undamaged passport. 

That makes sense because i have actually heard of ppl possessing two passports and actively using both. 

[OldUser 6,591]

5 hours ago, Adujarric said:

That makes sense because i have actually heard of ppl possessing two passports and actively using both. 

Second US passport can be requested if needed:

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/have-passport/second-passport-book.html

 

[MrKo 60]

On 3/31/2023 at 3:27 PM, Allaboutwaiting said:

Every passport has a different number, and that's not what makes it valid or not; it is the hole that actually makes it invalid - that's why every country requires the old passport and returns it with some sort of damage-.

 

OP has the old non expired undamaged passport. 

I was told that they do not punch the hole in your old passport anymore if you renew your passport online. Members on this forum have shared their experiences, you don't even have to send the old passport back. I guess they just invalidate your old passport in their system making you unable to use your old passport.

 

EDIT: Also when you report the loss of your passport, they also immediately invalidate it. This is especially helpful and important especially in cases of passport theft.

Edited April 16, 2023 by MrKo

[Crazy Cat 41,781]

11 minutes ago, MrKo said:

I guess they just invalidate your old passport in their system making you unable to use your old passport.

 

That is exactly what they do.  They warn you several times during the online renewal process.  I renewed online this past August.