"Do You Have a Current Passport?" application question

(Just a note:  I am an older student in the US attempting to apply to grad school for a PhD in the UK).

So . . . in filling out applications for graduate school, it looks like the passport question for international students is standard.  Something along the lines of "Do you have a passport?  What is your passport # and name as it appears?"

I DO have a passport, but it's been quite a few years since I've used it and it's expired.

On one application which said simply "Do you have a passport?" I answered yes, and then when it asked for details, I listed them, including the number and then added a note--"Note: Expired."

I guess there was not much point to even listing it, as it's expired and I'd need to get a new one, but I suppose I wanted them to know that at least I've got one--or rather had a valid one at one point.    I understand that when you get a new one, you get a new passport # anyway.

Now I'm filling out another application (different school) and the section begins with the question "Do you have a current passport" with the option to check yes or no and fill in the rest of the info, including the number and expiration date, etc.

So . . . should I just check "no"?  I mean,  it's not "current"--which I assume means "good right now--not expired." 

I guess they don't really need or want the details of my not-good-any-longer passport?

I am absolutely willing to get my passport renewed (or rather--apply for a new one, I guess) but I was waiting to see if I was accepted into school overseas before shelling out the $, to be honest. 

Then, you don't have a current passport.  Apply for the renewal before you start applying for grad school.  It's only $110.  You'll be shelling out quite a bit more for your visa, travel and tuition fees.

Thanks, Kristi.  I knew someone was going to say that--"Just get a new passport!"    I'd love to.  In fact, I'd love to get current passports for my entire family.  And I realize visas and travel and tuition will all cost loads.  I just haven't had extra funds *right now* to get us all passports "just in case" when my attendance at school overseas is very much a pie-in-the-sky dream--it's entirely dependent on my winning the right scholarship (which I should find out about in the next few months).

However, your post DID make me look up again whether I'd be able to "renew" my passport (though it was long expired) or would have to apply fresh for a new one, and it looks as though there IS a possibility that I can "renew" it because it's in such good condition, etc.  So that was worth looking into.  Thanks.

As a side note, the application deadlines are SOON, particularly for this application I'm filling out at the moment, so I wouldn't have time to renew my passport by then anyway, even if I had the funds.

I'm going to guess the answer to my own question and just put my old passport information on there, including the expiration date, then let the admissions office know when I renew my passport that I have done so, and what the new number is, and give them a photocopy, etc., if they admit me, I win the scholarship, and they need to process a Tier 4 visa application.

The school isn't going to reject you because you don't have a valid passport.  i expect they're just interested in your immigration history.  I wouldn't let it worry me. 

Thanks! I'm sure you're right!

However, your post DID make me look up again whether I'd be able to "renew" my passport (though it was long expired) or would have to apply fresh for a new one, and it looks as though there IS a possibility that I can "renew" it because it's in such good condition, etc.  So that was worth looking into.

What do you mean?

Renewing and 'getting a new passport' are the same thing... when your passport expires, you renew it by applying for a new one. You can either renew it just before your current visa expires, or you can renew it after it has expired (the only time you wouldn't renew is if you are applying for your first ever passport and have never held one before).

The condition of the passport only determines whether or not you can renew by mail, or if you have to renew in person.

See here for how to renew your passport:
http://travel.state.gov/passport/renew/renew_833.html

Thank you! Yep, I just figured that out after going over the travel.gov web pages--that one means you can do it by mail and the other means showing up in person again.  I'm not sure where I got the idea that it was either "renew" your old one (as if they wouldn't make a whole new one with the new photo!) or get a whole "new" one, except that I think I was researching whether or not the passport # would change or if it would be the same if you "renewed."

Needless to say, I am being overly complicated and confusing here. 

After looking into it, it appears that even though my beautiful passport is in great condition, it WAS issued over 15 years ago, so I will have to apply again in person, as if I've never had one.  And since I'm going to have to do that, I may as well try to get the family to come and do the same.  The nice thing is that I can do this at my local "Acceptance Center" in the post office.

It would be nice for us all to be ready for whatever possibilities, anyway.

Thanks for the help, friends!