Comments for Can a child return to the United States with an expired passport? Click here to add your own comments

Expiring passport by: Anonymous Question: Hi. My daughter's US passport will expire the day we are traveling to Orlando. Will the airport give us trouble going & coming back? Answer: Your daughter may enter the United States on her passport's expiration date. However, she needs a valid passport before she can leave the United States.

Dual Citizen teen returning to USA with Italian Passport by: Susan R. Question: My 16-year-old USA-born and raised daughter just left yesterday for Costa Rica on a month-long Teen Tour using her Italian Passport which expires two weeks after her return flight. Her US passport is currently being processed (expedited service) and we are not sure when we will receive it by mail. The airline assured us repeatedly that as long as the Italian passport is valid for one day past the returning flight date she would have no problem upon return. At the airport, the airline asked for her US residency card, which I learned the Italian Embassy issues Italian citizens living abroad. She never received one as this requirement was established after she was issued her Italian passport five years ago. I fear she will have problems returning to the USA. I do not have her most recently expired US passport as it accompanied the application for her adult passport which is currently being processed. I DO have her older passport which expired in 2016, proving her USA citizenship. I can overnight this passport and her original birth certificate to her program in Costa Rica. Will it suffice to show these documents, as well as her still valid Italian passport, at the Costa Rica airport as well as US immigration authorities upon re-entry in the USA? I am having trouble connecting with a live rep at the US Passport Service to speed up the processing of her current passport. Answer: Hello, Susan. All U.S. citizens, regardless of age, are required to depart and re-enter the United States with a valid U.S. passport. It is against the law to leave the country on a foreign passport even if you have dual citizenship. You may read more about the topic here: Dual Citizenship She is asked to present a U.S. residency card because she left the country on a foreign passport. Sending her old passport and other documents will not help since these are not valid travel documents. Even if you send her the new passport to use for her return, she will still face issues since there is no exit record on that passport she is using for re-entry. We recommend that you contact the CBP or the USCIS to find out what other measures you can take to facilitate your child's re-entry to the country.

Expired passport by: Anonymous Question: Hi. My daughter's passport expired little over a year ago. I will be traveling to Mexico by land, will she be able to enter the USA with just her birth certificate? Answer: Hello. If your child is age 15 or younger, she may travel to Mexico and get back in the United States with just a U.S. birth certificate (original or certified copy). Also, unless the child is accompanied by both parents, the child must have a notarized letter from the other parent or signed by both parents stating, "I acknowledge that my daughter is traveling outside the country with [the name of the adult] with my permission." If you have sole legal custody of the child, this consent letter may no longer be required but you have to present proof of your custody order.

Passport expired by: Anonymous Question: Hi!! My 9-year-old son's passport expired in March. I want to go to Mexico by land and come back the same way by land. Can I use only his birth certificate? I’m going for only 2 weeks. Answer: U.S. citizen minors may travel between Mexico and the United States with only their citizenship evidence (birth certificates for natural-born citizens). Your son may travel with his birth certificate but in the event that he needs to travel back to the U.S. by air, a passport book will be required.

My daughters by: Anonymous Question: Hi, I have two daughters. Their passports expire on June 30 of 2021, and I have to go to Mexico (Tijuana) that day to go help my grandparents come back to the US. My return date will be July 2. Can I still pass with their expired passport because I sent in their birth certificates to the passport agency and the only thing I have is the expired passport? Can they pass the border? Answer: Minors may travel between Mexico and the United States by land or sea with their birth certificates, but not their expired U.S. passports.

2 day expired passport by: Anonymous Question: My little sister and I traveling to Mexico soon, her passport will be valid when heading to Mexico but it'll expire two days before the flight back. She is going to be 16 when we come back. We didn't realize her passport was set to expire when we bought the tickets and now it's too late to renew it since there are no available appointments until a month before we leave. What will happen if we try to come back to the U.S with an expired passport. Answer: While she will not be expressly denied re-entry, the problem will be with boarding the flight to the United States. A valid passport is required for international air travel, even if it's just from Mexico. And if she does get on the flight, she may face significant delays at the airport while authorities verify her identity and citizenship.

Pregunta by: Anonymous Question: My kid is 8 Years old she is in México. I want to bring her back to the USA but her passport is expired. Can she come back to the USA without a passport by land? Answer: It is possible for minors to enter the United States from Mexico with just their U.S. birth certificates if traveling by land or sea. Please contact the CBP for more information.

Getting a 15 year old a passport by: Anonymous Question: I would like to get my 15 year old daughter a passport, for potential extended travel in the coming year. If she turns 16 while we are traveling, her passport will expire. 1. If she is 9 months from turning 16, can she apply for an adult passport now? 2. If the answer to that question is no, how would we manage an expired passport when abroad? Answer: The passport will not expire when she turns 16. It will be valid for 5 years after the issue date. Once it expires, she can then apply for her first adult U.S. passport.

Son with expired passport by: Anonymous Question: My son is 13 years old. He is going to travel to Mexico with my cousin but his passport is expired. Can he travel back to USA by land with his birth certificate? Answer: He can. The problem will be boarding a flight to Mexico with an expoired passport.

Taking my little brother to Mexico by: Anonymous Question: I want to take my youngest brother to Tijuana this weekend but mom can't find his birth certificate. Is there any other option for me to cross the border with him? Answer: There isn't.

Help by: Anonymous Question: My family has to travel to Mexico ASAP by land because of a family emergency but I just found out my 12 year old daughter's passport has expired in April. Can she still come back in the US using her ID, expired passport and Birth certificate? Answer: According to the CBP, minors age 15 and under may re-enter the U.S. by land border crossing with just proof of U.S. citizenship like a U.S. birth certificate. Please contact the CBP for confirmation.

I need some help by: Anonymous Question: My two children just went to Mexico two years ago and now we just realized that their passports expired one year ago. Now we have an emergency and they have to come back to the United States. Can they cross from Mexico with their expired passports and birth certificates? The older one is 15 years old and the youngest one is 14 years old. Answer: U.S. citizen children ages 15 and under arriving by land or sea from a contiguous territory (Canada or Mexico) may present an original or copy of his or her birth certificate (issued by the Vital Records Department in the state where he or she was born) to re-enter the United States.

Expired passport (dual citizen) by: Anonymous Question: My daughter is 5. Their flight was on February 20 but Philippine Airline's ticket agent stopped my daughter because her U.S. passport expired in December. We used her Philippine passport going Philippines due to family emergency. My wife needd to come back here 1st to the U.S. due to her work. Upon arriving in the Philippines, she asked immigration about our problem. They told her that since shes a minor plus we have all the documents needed, PAL shouldn't have stopped her U.S-bound flight. My wife asked the same question to the customs officer at the airport and was answered the same as what the Philippine immigration officer told her. My question is there anyway or the fastest way I can get my daughter here in the US ASAP? I need advice. Thank you! Have a blessed day. Answer: Since your daughter is returning to the U.S, she needs to use a valid U.S. passport to board the flight. She has to obtain a new passport at the U.S. Embassy in Manila. A passport will be issued to her in 4 to 6 weeks.

Crossing back from Canada by: Anonymous Question: Hello, my 2 children 13 and 16 years old, will be traveling with us to Canada but their passports recently expired. We will only cross into Canada for a day by car. Will they be able to cross back with expired passport, birth certificate, school ID? Answer: The 13-year-old should be able to re-enter the U.S. with his/her birth certificate. However, the 16-year-old and all adults need a valid passport book, card or any other WHTI-compliant document to cross the border from Canada.

Daughter passport expired. Can she enter the U.S? by: Anonymous Question: My daughter is 8 years old when we moved to Mexico. That was four years ago. Her passport expired two years ago. Ca I take her back by land with her expired passport and birth certificate? Answer: Yes, you can.

Minor’s US citizen passport expired by: Anonymous Question: My son is 14 years old and we are trying across the border from Canada to US, can he still across with an expired US passport? Answer: Your son may re-enter the United States with proof of his U.S. citizenship like a his U.S. birth certificate.

Expired passport by: Anonymous Question: Hi, my brother is 12 years old and a U.S. citizen. He's been living in Mexico for the last 6 years and now he is coming back, crossing by land. His passport is already expired; can he cross with just his birth certificate? Answer: All U.S. citizens, regardless of age, need to have a passport book, passport card or any other WHTI-compliant document to cross the border between the United States and Mexico. Your brother will need a new passport before he travels back to the U.S. A passport can be obtained from the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City or any of the U.S. Consulates located all over Mexico.

Expired passport by: Anonymous Question: Hello! My son is a U.S. citizen but he is in the Philippines right now. My son's passport expired February 8. They said I have to renew it in the Philippines and wait for 3 weeks. Is there a possible way I can travel my son with a document or something? I have work and I can’t stay that long in the Philippines. What should I do? Answer: A valid passport is required in order to board a flight back to the United States. Because of this, you need to apply for your son's new passport before traveling. According to the U.S. Embassy in Manila, processing takes 2-3 weeks. Please contact them for further assistance.

Travel to Mexico by: Heidio Question: I want to travel to Mexico by bus. My child (8 years old) has an expired passport. Can we cross over and get back to the USA? Thank you. Answer: All U.S. citizens are required to present a passport book or card or any WHTI-compliant document to enter Mexico by land. We recommend that you apply for your child's new passport to avoid issues while traveling.

Aiuto !!! by: Anonymous Question: Ho mio figlio di 7 anni cittadino americano kn passaporto scaduto l anno scorso dobbiamo rietrare negli states asap ma il padre nn vuole firmare il modulo x il rinnovo del passaporto !!! Nn vuole che il figlio rimpatria negli states x nn dare child support!!!! I need to go back bc im stuck in italy for 4 yrs now!!! Come devo fare !!! Qualkuno puo rispondermi grazie mille !! Answer: Innanzitutto, è necessario ottenere un nuovo passaporto USA per il figlio prima di tornare negli Stati Uniti. Per legge, tutti i cittadini degli Stati Uniti sono tenuti a rientrare negli Stati Uniti utilizzando un passaporto USA. Si prega di contattare l'Ambasciata Usa di Roma o il Consolato Generale di Firenze, Milano o Napoli per ottenere assistenza per ottenere un passaporto per il tuo bambino.

Expire Passport by: Anonymous Question: I have a friend that has 2 kids 18 & 16 years old. They are in Guadalupe. The dad is in Miami and the mother left the kids with a friend in Guadalupe and she left the Dominican Republic. The kids can't travel because their U.S. passports are expired and the nearest passport agency is in Curazao. The dad can't travel and the kids asked their dad for help because they want to come to Miami. Can you give me advice? Answer: They need to seek assistance at the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo. Since they are already 16 and 18, they can apply on their own as long as they have their own IDs. Their father can issue a signed statement of awareness of the issuance for the 16-year-old. He can mail this statement with a photocopy of his ID. The statement must be submitted with the other requirements for the passport application. The 18-year-old does not need the statement from the father.

Expired passport by: Anonymous Question: My son is 9. His U.S. passport expired 2013. Can he travel back from the Bahamas on his expired passport? Answer: All U.S. citizens, regardless of age, need to present a valid U.S. passport in order to re-enter the United States after travel abroad. Please contact the U.S. Embassy in Nassau for assistance.

Niece by: Anonymous Question: We are in Tijuana with the family. My niece (11 years old) needs to come back with us because her parents needed to cross earlier. Can she cross with us with her birth certificate? Answer: All U.S. citizens need a passport book or a passport card in order to re-enter the United States from Mexico. You need to apply for the child's passport at the U.S. Consulate General in Tijuana. Both parents need to send you a notarized document stating that you are authorized to apply for their child's passport on their behalf. This statement must be accompanied with photocopies of their government-issued IDs.

Can my son return to the US if his passport expires in a month? by: Anonymous Question: My family is traveling to Canada in July and my son (7 years old) has a US passport that expires in a month (Aug 2017). Can he return to the U.S. by land with his passport in July 2017? Answer: Yes, your son can return to the United States without a problem. U.S. citizens may re-enter the U.S. up to the expiration date of their passports.

Re-entering the USA with expired passport by: JG Question: My sister-in-law voluntarily left the USA about 5 years ago since she was an illegal alien. She gave a notarized document to her mother to bring her 3 U.S. citizen kids into Mexico by land. Stating it was only for vacation. Now the kids want to come and visit but their passports are expired. She has tried to renew their passports but they need the father's permission. The father was sent to jail and has not heard or seen him since she left the USA. What can she do? Answer: All U.S. citizens traveling from Mexico must re-enter the United States with a valid passports. The mother must find a way to contact the father to obtain the consent for passport issuance. The father must execute a signed and notarized statement of consent that the mother must present to the U.S. embassy or consulate when applying for her children's passports. If contact cannot be established, the mother may submit Form DS-5525 Statement of Exigent/Special Family Circumstances for Issuance of a U.S. Passport to a Minor Under Age 16. She must explain (in as much detail as possible) that efforts she has made to contact the absent parent to obtain the consent. Applications submitted with Form DS-5525 are issued on a case by case basis. Please have her contact the Mexican Embassy or the closest U.S. Consulate for more information and assistance.

Child's Passport by: Anonymous Question: My son's U.S. passport has expired. His father has signed and notarized the necessary form for reapplication but is refusing to provide me with a copy of his driver's license to go with the form per directions on the form. What can I do? He has a valid passport for Australia so he can travel down there to see family but what about coming back? Answer: A copy of the non-applying parent's ID is necessary to obtain a passport for your child. If you cannot secure this requirement, the notarized consent will not be accepted. You may try submitting Form DS-5525 (Statement of Exigent/Special Family Circumstances for Issuance of a U.S. Passport to a Minor Under Age 16) with your application. However, understand that applications submitted under exigent family circumstances are processed on a case by case basis.

Need Help ASAP by: Paola Question: I went to Mexico (TJ) but I don't have a passport, or driver's licence, nor an Identification Card. I only brought my birth certificate and a previous school ID. I am 18 and I'm a U.S citizen. Can I travel back by land with just those two? Answer: When returning from Mexico, U.S. citizens are required to present a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)-compliant document such as a passport book or passport card. You can go to the U.S. Consulate in Tijuana and apply for an emergency passport. You do not need an appointment for this if you are leaving within the next 10 days. Once you're back in the U.S., you can apply for a full-validity replacement passport. If you apply within a year of issuance, you will not be charged any additional fees.

Return from Canada with expired US passport by: Anonymous Question: Child is 19-yrs-old. Can he return via land with a US birth certificate and expired US passport? Answer: For entry into the United States via land borders, your son must present either a U.S. passport, passport card, NEXUS card or Enhanced Drivers License.

I want to travel with my son but his passport is expired. by: Ida Question: I want to travel with my son, but his passport is expired. He has a green card. I want to get the new passport in the country where I'm going to because his passport is from the same country. Is it possible? Does it cause any problems? Answer: Your son will not be allowed to board his flight without a valid passport. Please contact the nearest embassy or consulate general to get your son a new passport.

My brother's passport expired by: Yehya Question: My brother's USA passport expired. He is overseas and the country he is in right now has no U.S. Embassy. Can he mail it to me and I renew it for him? He is over 18. Thank you. Answer: Yes, you can do this as long as your brother was age 16 or older when he was issued the passport and the passport is not significantly damaged. Your brother needs to send you his passport, a signed form DS-82 and a recent passport photo. You should mail these documents and payment for fees to the address on the application form. The mailing address he enters on the application form must be a U.S. address.

expired passport by: Anonymous Question: Can a child return to USA with a copy of birth certificate because her passport expired 3 weeks ago if traveling by land with both parents? Answer: When returning from Canada, U.S. citizens under the age of 16 need only present a birth certificate. When returning from Mexico, all U.S. citizens are required to present a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)-compliant document, such as a passport or a passport card. You can get an emergency, limited-validity passport from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate general.

Passport Renewal by: Lenin Question: Thanks for providing the exact information regarding the U.S passport. I have also the same doubt and now that is solved. Could you please share the exact procedures to renew the U.S passport? Answer: You will find a list of requirements and step-by-step instruction for renewing a passport here.

Travel to Canada with Expired Passport by: person Question: If my passport expired three months ago can I go to Canada by land and come back to America with it. I also have a student I.D. and a safe child card. Can I use those for proof to come back. Answer: When returning to the United States from Canada, it is very important to note that all U.S. citizens are required to present a valid U.S. passport to enter or re-enter the United States via air. For entry into the United States via land and sea borders, U.S. citizens must present either a U.S. passport, passport card, NEXUS card, Enhanced Drivers License, or other Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)-compliant document. The only exception to this requirement is for U.S. citizens under the age of 16 (or under 19, if traveling with a school, religious, or other youth group) who need only present a birth certificate (original, photocopy or certified copy), Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or naturalization certificate.

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