Picture this: you’re all set to embark on an exciting journey, but as you reach for your passport, you realize it’s already expired.<\/p>\n
The thought of missing out on your travel plans can be overwhelming, and you may be left wondering if traveling with an expired passport is even an option.<\/p>\n
To make matters worse, passport processing times<\/a> have been a little long recently. However, there’s no need to panic.<\/p>\n In this article, we’ll outline essential information on traveling with an expired passport, passport renewal procedures, and ways to expedite the renewal process<\/a> in case you’re running out of time before your scheduled trip.<\/p>\n If you’re traveling internationally, the short answer is no, you cannot use an expired passport. Many countries also require at least six months of validity, so renew your passport<\/a> if it expires within six months of your trip.<\/p>\n Domestic flights:<\/strong> Yes, in many cases. TSA currently accepts an expired U.S. passport or passport card for up to two years after it expires. If yours expired longer ago than that and you don’t have a REAL ID<\/a> or another accepted ID, you can pay a $45 TSA ConfirmID fee to try to verify your identity, but there’s no guarantee it will work. Check TSA’s acceptable ID list before you fly, since it can change without notice.<\/p>\n If you can’t renew your passport in time for an international trip, you may need to reschedule, though an expedited passport service like RushMyPassport<\/a> can get your renewal done in as little as 2\u20134 business days.<\/p>\n The Department of State advises anyone traveling on an expired passport to contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate<\/a> to apply for a U.S. passport.<\/p>\n If you’re planning a trip to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean, you’ll need to be aware of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), which requires U.S. citizens to carry a valid passport book for air travel to any of these destinations. However, the rules are more flexible for land and sea travel.<\/p>\n For travelers over 16 years old, any of the following documents are acceptable:<\/p>\n Children under 16 can use a birth certificate or other proof of citizenship, and children under 19 can do the same if they’re traveling with a school, church, or youth group.<\/p>\n It’s important to note that an expired passport is not considered a valid ID under the WHTI. Although you may not be required to present a valid passport to enter Canada or Mexico by land or sea, you will need it when you return to the U.S. If you try to cross the border with an expired passport, Customs, and Border Patrol officers may require additional verification of your identity and citizenship before allowing you back into the country.<\/p>\n For more, see Do You Need a Passport to Go to Mexico<\/a>? and Do You Need a Passport to Go to Canada<\/a>?<\/p>\n If you’re planning a cruise, you may be wondering if you can go on it with an expired passport. The answer depends on the type of cruise you’re taking.<\/p>\n If you’re on a closed-loop cruise that starts and ends at the same U.S. port, you may be able to use a driver’s license and a birth certificate instead of a valid passport or passport card. However, it’s important to check with your cruise line and the countries you’ll be visiting to make sure you have the necessary documents.<\/p>\n Even if you don’t need a passport for your specific cruise, it’s always a good idea to have a valid passport with you. If you have an emergency or you need to leave the ship at a foreign port, a passport can make it easier to get help or return to the U.S. Plus, if you miss your ship or need to fly back to the U.S. for any reason, you’ll need a valid passport to do so.<\/p>\n For international flights:<\/strong> If you are traveling internationally, attempting to board your flight with an expired passport will not be possible. Even if you are permitted on the plane, you will likely be turned away upon arrival. It is not worth the risk, so renew your passport before you travel.<\/p>\n For domestic flights<\/strong>: An expired passport is accepted for up to two years after it expires. Past that, bring a REAL ID or another TSA-accepted ID, or expect to pay the $45 TSA ConfirmID fee.<\/p>\n When driving to Canada or Mexico, allow extra time for crossing the border, and keep in mind that the other country may refuse entry due to improper documentation. Upon re-entry into the United States, expect to be temporarily detained while your identity and citizenship are confirmed.<\/p>\n Although an expired passport might be useful in this situation, it’s best to avoid the hassle altogether and obtain a new passport or passport card to comply with the law.<\/p>\n Did you know that many countries require you to have at least 6 months left before the expiration date on your passport in order to enter?\u00a0 If your passport is expiring in the next year, check our list of passport validity requirements for top destinations<\/a> to see if you need to renew before traveling.<\/p>\n The six-month validity rule for passports is a requirement by many countries that a traveler\u2019s passport has at least six months left before it expires, in order to be allowed entry into the country.<\/p>\n This means that if a passport is set to expire within six months of the traveler\u2019s arrival in a foreign country, the traveler may be turned away.<\/p>\n The rule of thumb for international travelers is to always have at least 6-months validity on their passports to avoid complications during their trip or in the event of an emergency that potentially extends their stay.<\/p>\n If your passport has expired and you need a renewal, you\u2019re eligible to renew your passport<\/a>\u00a0using application Form DS-82 as long as all of the following conditions apply:<\/p>\n If you\u2019re planning to\u00a0renew your passport<\/a>, the process is straightforward and requires a few essential documents.<\/p>\n To ensure a smooth passport application, it\u2019s important to have the necessary paperwork ready in advance.You\u2019ll need the following\u00a0documents to renew a U.S. passport<\/a><\/p>\n If you are eligible to\u00a0renew your passport<\/a>, you have several options for where to apply, with specific service times depending on your situation.<\/p>\n No matter which option you choose, make sure to plan ahead and allow sufficient time for processing.<\/p>\n If your trip isn’t coming up soon, you can renew by mail<\/a> with Form DS-82 or, if you’re eligible, renew online through the State Department. Post offices and other acceptance facilities don’t accept renewals; they’re only for new passport applications.<\/p>\n Routine processing takes 4\u20136 weeks, plus 1\u20132 weeks of mailing time each way. If you need it sooner, you can request expedited processing for an extra $60, which cuts processing to about 2\u20133 weeks. Online renewals can’t be expedited, so if you’re short on time, renew by mail.<\/p>\n Keep in mind that processing times start when the Department of State<\/a> receives your application, not when you send it.<\/p>\n In case of urgent travel plans within 14 days, you have the option to schedule an appointment with a\u00a0Regional Passport Agency<\/a>\u00a0for expedited passport processing within 3 business days.<\/p>\n While this may seem like the best option, there are some limitations. Only 28 Regional Passport Agencies in the entire country offer this service, and there are strict requirements for eligibility.<\/p>\n According to the\u00a0U.S. Department of State<\/a>, to be eligible for an emergency passport appointment, you must either:<\/p>\n To schedule an in-person appointment, you must call 1-877-487-2778 or use their online appointment system.<\/p>\n If waiting for the post office is not an option and you can\u2019t or prefer not to go to the nearest regional passport agency, you might want to try a\u00a0passport expediting company<\/a>.<\/p>\n Private expediting companies such as\u00a0RushMyPassport<\/a> can hand-carry your application documents to the Department of State for processing, cutting down on the time it takes to receive your passport, in as little as 2-4 business days.<\/p>\n If you need a passport quickly, but don\u2019t have the time or patience to go to a passport agency or post office, RushMyPassport can help.<\/b><\/p>\n With services ranging from\u00a0new passports<\/a>,\u00a0passport renewals<\/a>,\u00a0child passports<\/a>,\u00a0or replacing a lost or stolen passport<\/a>, our team of registered couriers and passport advisors will help get your passport fast!<\/p>\n Click to get started today<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0visit a FedEx Office location near you<\/a>\u00a0to find out why RushMyPassport is the most convenient way to get a passport in a hurry!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Can you travel with an expired passport? Read on to find out what would happen! This post is updated with current information as of March 2018. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":72957,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37,7,1927],"tags":[33,29,6],"class_list":["post-453","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-frequently-asked-questions","category-passport-processing","category-passport-renewal-how-to-get-a-passport","tag-international-travel","tag-passport-processing","tag-passport-renewal"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\tCan you travel with an expired passport?<\/h2>\n
Can you travel to Mexico or Canada on an expired passport?<\/h2>\n
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Can you go on a cruise with an expired passport?<\/h2>\n
What happens if you try to travel with an expired passport?<\/h2>\n
At the Airport<\/h3>\n
Driving to Canada or Mexico<\/h3>\n
Passport Validity Requirements<\/h2>\n
What is the Six-Month Validity Rule?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
How to Renew Your Passport
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Required Documents for Passport Renewal<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Where To Apply For A Passport Renewal<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Renewing Your Passport by Mail or Online<\/h3>\n
Applying for a Passport Renewal at a Regional Passport Agency<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Renewing Your Passport with a Private Expediting Company<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Expedited Passport Services with RushMyPassport<\/b><\/h2>\n