You may have booked a flight, selected a hotel, and even informed your hosts in your destination country that you are leaving – only to discover that your passport has expired. The question is, “Can you travel with an expired passport in this situation?”
Let’s find out…
Is It Possible to Travel With an Expired Passport?
The short answer is that you cannot use an expired passport if you are traveling internationally. If your passport has expired or will expire within the next six months, you must renew it.
Domestic travel, on the other hand, is a little more difficult. Although a passport is not required for domestic flights, you must have a valid ID to pass through TSA checkpoints and an expired passport is not accepted.
If your passport has expired, you can still travel within the United States, but you must convince TSA officers that you are who you say you are. On the other hand, if you plan to travel internationally, you must have a valid passport.
If you can’t renew your passport in time, you may have to reschedule your trip through expedited passport renewal services.
As of July 1st, 2022, U.S. citizens will be unable to enter the country with an expired passport due to an update to policies put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Anyone traveling with an expired passport should contact the nearest US Embassy or Consulate to apply for a new passport.
Is It Possible to Travel to Mexico or Canada With an Expired Passport?
If you’re planning a trip to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean, you should be aware of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), which requires U.S. citizens to have a valid passport book with them when flying to any of these countries. However, the rules for land and sea travel are more lenient.
Any of the following documents are acceptable for travelers over the age of 16:
- A current passport book.
- A current passport card.
- An enhanced driver’s license (currently available in only a few states).
- A Trusted Traveler card (such as NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST).
Children under the age of 16 can travel with a birth certificate or other proof of citizenship, and children under the age of 19 can travel with a school, church, or youth group.
It is important to note that under the WHTI, an expired passport is not considered a valid ID. Although you may not be required to present a valid passport when entering Canada or Mexico by land or sea, you will require one when returning to the United States. If you attempt to cross the border with an expired passport, Customs, and Border Patrol officers may require additional identification and citizenship verification before allowing you back into the country.
Can you travel on a cruise if your passport is expired?
If you’re thinking about taking a cruise, you might be wondering if you can go with an expired passport. The answer is determined by the type of cruise you are taking.
You may be able to use a driver’s license and a birth certificate instead of a valid passport or passport card if you’re on a closed-loop cruise that begins and ends in the same U.S. port. However, you should double-check with your cruise line and the countries you’ll be visiting to ensure you have all of the necessary documentation.
Even if you don’t need a passport for your particular cruise, it’s always a good idea to have one on hand. If you have an emergency or need to leave the ship in a foreign port, having a passport can help you get help or return to the United States. In addition, if you miss your ship or need to fly back to the United States for any reason, you’ll need a valid passport.
Can You Travel Within the United States with an Expired Passport?
Domestic flight regulations are less stringent than international travel regulations. A federal or state-issued ID is usually sufficient to board a flight. If the photo ID is your expired passport, you can still bring it with you. However, you will be required to provide additional documentation to prove your identity, leaving you at the mercy of the TSA.
If you are traveling by car, you will not need a passport if you have a valid state or federal identification card to prove your identity.
Is it Possible to Cross the Border with an Expired Passport?
It depends on your destination and mode of transportation. Destinations such as Canada and Mexico allow US citizens to travel by sea or road without a valid passport. Nonetheless, you must have a valid ID, such as a REAL ID or a trusted traveler’s card. Always double-check to see what applies in each case.
Can You Fly Domestically with an Expired Passport?
You can only use your passport to prove your identity; you cannot rely on it to board the plane. Instead, you will need to show the TSA state or federal documents that prove your identity.
What if You Attempt to Travel With an Expired Passport?
On the Way to the Airport in the Case of International & Domestic Flights:
If you are traveling internationally, you will be unable to board your flight if your passport is expired. Even if you are allowed to board the plane, you will almost certainly be turned away upon arrival. It’s not worth the risk, so get your passport renewed before you go.
Bring an alternate form of valid, government-issued photo identification to the TSA checkpoint for domestic flights. If your only ID is an expired passport, bring additional documents that can prove your identity.
Traveling to Canada or Mexico by car
Allow extra time when driving to Canada or Mexico, and keep in mind that the other country may refuse entry due to improper documentation. Expect to be detained temporarily upon re-entry into the United States while your identity and citizenship are verified.
Although an expired passport may be useful in this situation, it is preferable to avoid the hassle and obtain a new passport or passport card to comply with the law.
Passport Validity Conditions
Did you know that many countries require you to have at least 6 months before your passport’s expiration date in order to enter? If your passport is about to expire in the next year, check our list of passport validity requirements for popular destinations to see if you need to renew before you travel.
What does the Six-Month Validity Rule entail?
Many countries require that a traveler’s passport has at least six months of validity left before it expires in order for them to be allowed entry into the country.
This means that if a traveler’s passport is set to expire within six months of their arrival in a foreign country, they may be denied entry.
To avoid complications during their trip or in the event of an emergency that could potentially extend their stay, international travelers should always have at least 6-month validity on their passports.
Passport Renewal Instructions
If your passport has expired and you need to renew it, you can do so using application Form DS-82 as long as all of the following conditions are met:
- Your current passport was not stolen, lost, or damaged.
- Your current passport was issued after you turned 16 years old.
- Your current passport was issued within the last 15 years.
- Your current passport was issued in your current legal name, or you have legal documentation proving a name change.
Documents Required for Passport Renewal
If you want to renew your passport, the process is simple and only requires a few documents.
It is critical to have all of the necessary paperwork ready ahead of time to ensure a smooth passport application. To renew a US passport, you’ll need the following documents.
- Passport Application Form DS-82 Passport Photo Expired or Expiring U.S. Passport Government Fees
- Proof of Name Change(If applicable)
- Itinerary for travel (applicable if rushing)
Where Can I Renew My Passport?
If you are eligible to renew your passport, you have several options for where to apply, each with its own set of service times.
Whatever option you choose, make sure to plan ahead of time and allow enough time for processing.
Passport Renewal Application at a Passport Acceptance Facility
If you have international travel planned but not in the near future, you can apply for standard routine passport services at a US Post Office or another Passport Acceptance Facility, such as a library or a county clerk’s office.
Although the standard processing time for a passport renewal is up to 13 weeks from the date of application, actual processing time can vary depending on the passport office’s current workload.
If you need your passport renewed quickly, you can pay an extra $60 for expedited processing, which does not include shipping or the required application fees. This reduces processing time to an estimated 7-9 weeks.
It’s important to remember that these processing times are estimates that begin when the Department of State receives your application, not when you submit it.
Renewal of a Passport at a Regional Passport Agency
If you need to travel within 14 days, you can make an appointment with a Regional Passport Agency for expedited passport processing within 3 business days.
While this appears to be the best option, there are some drawbacks. Only 26 Regional Passport Agencies in the entire country provide this service, and there are strict eligibility requirements.
To be eligible for an emergency passport appointment, you must meet the following requirements, according to the US Department of State:
- Have an urgent international trip in 14 calendar days or require a foreign visa in 28 calendar days
- If you need to travel internationally in three business days because your immediate family member is not in the United States, this is a life-or-death situation.
To make an in-person appointment, dial 1-877-487-2778.
Related Articles
- Can You Go on a Cruise Without a Passport? Detailed Guide
- How Long Does It Take To Get a Passport: All You Need
- How Long Does It Take To Renew a Passport (Detailed Guide)
- DUAL CITIZENSHIP: Process for Obtaining Dual Citizenship in the US
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