An expired passport is not accepted as valid ID for most purposes, but the rules depend on what you need it for
An expired passport cannot be used as a government-issued photo ID for voting, opening a bank account, boarding a domestic flight, or entering a federal building. Most organisations treat an expired passport the same way they treat an expired driver's license — the document is no longer current, so it does not prove your identity or citizenship in the present moment.
The one exception is international travel. If you are a U.S. citizen and your passport expired less than five years ago (or less than three years if you were under 16 when it expired), you can renew it by mail without explore in person. The State Department treats a recently expired passport as proof of citizenship for that renewal process. For any other purpose — employment, banking, voting, domestic air travel — you need a passport that has not expired.
Key Takeaways
- An expired passport cannot be used as valid ID for voting, flying domestically, opening bank accounts, or entering federal buildings.
- The only exception is renewing your passport by mail if it expired within the last three to five years, depending on your age when it expired.
- If your passport is expired and you need ID now, a state driver's license, state ID card, or military ID are the fastest alternatives.
- Renewing a passport by mail takes four to six weeks; expedited renewal takes two to three weeks but costs extra.
- Some organisations may accept an expired passport as secondary identification alongside a current document, but it does not count as your primary ID.
Why expiration dates matter for ID
An ID document's expiration date is not just a formality. It tells the organisation checking your ID that the document was current when it was issued and that you have not had a reason to update it since. An expired passport means the State Department has not verified your identity or citizenship recently, and it does not prove you are who you say you are today.
Banks, airlines, and government agencies use expiration dates to confirm that the ID holder has passed a background check or identity verification within a reasonable time frame. A passport that expired five years ago may have belonged to someone who has since committed fraud, changed their legal name, or had their citizenship revoked. The expiration date is the organisation's way of knowing the document is still trustworthy.
What you can use instead of an expired passport
If you need ID right now and your passport is expired, a state-issued ID card or driver's license works for almost everything a passport does. Both are government-issued photo IDs and are accepted for voting, domestic air travel, opening bank accounts, and entering federal buildings. A military ID card also works for these purposes if you are active duty, retired, or a veteran.
Getting a state ID or driver's license is usually faster than renewing a passport. Most states issue them on the same day you explore at a DMV office, though some states mail them within one to two weeks. You will need to bring proof of residency (a utility bill or lease), proof of identity (birth certificate or Social Security card), and proof of citizenship if you are explore for the first time.
How to renew an expired passport
If you need a passport specifically — for international travel, for example — you have two renewal routes depending on how long ago it expired. If your passport expired less than five years ago and you were 16 or older when it was issued, you can renew by mail. Fill out Form DS-11 or DS-82 (depending on your state), send it with your expired passport, a new photo, and the renewal fee to the address on the State Department website. This route takes four to six weeks.
If your passport expired more than five years ago, or if you were under 16 when it was issued, you must renew in person at a passport acceptance facility — usually a post office, library, or courthouse. Bring your expired passport, a new photo, proof of citizenship (birth certificate), proof of identity (driver's license), and proof of residency. In-person renewal also takes four to six weeks, but you can pay extra for expedited service, which takes two to three weeks.
Expedited renewal costs an additional fee on top of the standard renewal fee. Check the State Department's website for current fees, as they change periodically. If you need your passport urgently, expedited service is faster than standard renewal but still takes at least two weeks.
Situations where an expired passport might be accepted
Some organisations will accept an expired passport as a secondary form of ID — meaning you provide it alongside a current ID to strengthen your identity claim. Banks sometimes ask for this when opening an account, especially if your current ID is new or if you are moving to a new state. A hospital or doctor's office might accept an expired passport as supporting documentation when you show a current driver's license.
However, an expired passport alone will never be enough. If an organisation asks for "a valid government-issued photo ID," an expired passport does not meet that standard. The word "valid" means current and unexpired. If you are unsure whether a specific organisation will accept your expired passport as secondary ID, call ahead and ask before you visit.
International travel and expired passports
An expired U.S. passport cannot be used for international travel under any circumstances. If you are planning to leave the country, you must have a current, unexpired passport. Some countries have additional rules — they may require your passport to be valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates — so check the embassy website of the country you are visiting.
If your passport is expired and you need to travel internationally, expedited renewal is your fastest option. The State Department offers expedited service at passport acceptance facilities and at passport agencies in major cities. Expedited renewal takes two to three weeks, so plan ahead if you have international travel coming up.
What documents you need to bring when renewing
| Renewal Type | Location | Documents Needed | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| By mail (expired less than 5 years) | Mail to State Department address | Expired passport, new photo, Form DS-82, renewal fee | 4 to 6 weeks |
| In person (expired more than 5 years) | Post office, library, or courthouse | Expired passport, birth certificate, driver's license, proof of residency, new photo, renewal fee | 4 to 6 weeks |
| Expedited in person | Post office, library, courthouse, or passport agency | Same as in-person renewal, plus expedited fee | 2 to 3 weeks |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use an expired passport to vote?
No. Most states require a current, valid government-issued photo ID to vote in person. An expired passport does not meet this requirement. A current driver's license, state ID card, or military ID will work instead. Some states allow you to vote by mail if you do not have current ID, so check your state election office website.
Will an airline let me board a domestic flight with an expired passport?
No. The Transportation Security Administration requires a current, valid government-issued photo ID for domestic flights. An expired passport will not work. Use a current driver's license, state ID card, or military ID instead.
How much does it cost to renew an expired passport?
Standard passport renewal costs vary by passport type and age. Check the State Department website for current fees, as they change. Expedited renewal adds an extra fee on top of the standard cost. Fees are the same whether you renew by mail or in person.
Can I use an expired passport to open a bank account?
Most banks will not accept an expired passport as your primary ID for opening an account. They may accept it as secondary documentation alongside a current driver's license or state ID. Call your bank ahead of time to ask what documents they need.
What if my passport expired while I was overseas?
If you are outside the United States and your passport is expired, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. They can issue you an emergency passport or limited-validity passport to return home. Once you are back in the U.S., you can renew your passport through the normal process.