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Can I travel on the date of my passport's expiration?

by Amy
(Dallas, TX)

Question: I will be traveling (domestic only) and have only my passport as valid photo identification at this time. (Going through name change, and all other documents are pending.) It turns out that my return flight falls on the expiration date on my passport. Can I legitimately travel on that date, meaning the passport is legit THROUGH the expiration date but no longer as of the following day? Again, it's only domestic travel, so purely for ID purposes. (i.e. if expiration is 9/1, is it valid on 9/1 and invalid as of 9/2? or is it deemed invalid on 9/1?)


Answer: United States passports are valid until midnight on the date of expiration. You can "legitimately" travel on the date your passport expires without any problems.

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Canada border
by: Anonymous

Question: I'm traveling to Canada but via car and noticed my passport expired this month. Can I still get across the border? I also have a state-issued REAL ID as a driver's license.

Answer: A valid passport book, passport card or any other WHTI-compliant document may be used to travel between the United States and Canada by land or sea. An enhanced driver's license issued by your state of residence is one of these documents but a REAL ID is not.

While you may be able to enter Canada with just proof of U.S. citizenship, you will likely have issues getting back in the U.S. without any of the documents mentioned.

Can I travel domestically in US with Chinese passport expiring in 6 month?
by: Anonymous

Question: Hi. I am an international student in the US. I plan to travel to Las Vegas in August. But my Chinese passport would expire in December. Can I travel domestically with a foreign passport that is about to expire in 6 months?

Answer: As long as you can provide documentation of your legal status in the United States, there should not be any issues traveling domestically.

Can I travel on the expiration date of my passport?
by: Anonymous

Question: I am traveling domestically. I hold an Iraqi passport. My passport expires on April 26 and my return flight will be on the same date. Is it OK to travel domestically on the expiration date of an Iraqi passport. Thanks!

Answer: Are you traveling domestically within the United States? If you are, I would recommend that you have another valid ID ready in case gate officials require that you present one.

Traveling on the date your passport expires
by: Anonymous

Question: Can I travel on the day my passport expires.

Answer: It depends on the entry requirement of the country you are traveling to.

Safe travel
by: Anonymous

Question: Can I still travel domestic if my passport expires in 2 weeks? I just need it for photo validation in the airport. I hold a Philippine passport.

Answer: Yes, you can.

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UPDATE: Mailing delays and high demand are impacting passport processing. The Department of State's processing times begin when applications are received at a passport agency or center and not when you mail them or apply at a local acceptance facility. Standard service may take between 10 and 13 weeks. This timeframe does not include delivery time. Mailing times vary across the country.

Expedited service takes from 7 to 9 weeks excluding mailing times on the front and back end. Current mailing delays are significant. Requesting 1-2-day mailing service is recommended.

Regional passport agencies are offering two types of appointments: Life-of-Death Emergency Service and Urgent Travel Service.

Life-or-death emergencies are serious illnesses, injuries, or deaths in your immediate family (parent, legal guardian, child, spouse, sibling, and grandparent) that require you to travel outside the United States within 3 business days.

If you need to travel due to a qualified life-or-death emergency, please call the National Passport Information Center for an appointment:

Mondays through Fridays 8 A.M. to 8 P.M. ET, call 1-877-487-2778 (TDD/TTY:1-888-874-7793) Outside of these hours, call 202-647-4000.

For Urgent Travel Service, you need to call 14 days before your scheduled international travel or 28 days if you also need to secure a foreign visa.

If you need to travel urgently for reasons other than a life-or-death emergency, please call the NPIC at 1-877-487-2778 Mondays through Fridays 8 A.M. to 10 P.M. ET.

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