You’re all packed and ready to embark on your international adventure! There’s only one problem. You just realized that your passport is expired, and your trip is right around the corner. Now what?
If this has happened to you, you may be wondering if you can use your expired passport to travel during COVID or if you’re going to have to cancel your trip altogether. Well, the truth is, trying to travel with an expired passport can get a little tricky at times, and you may run into some road bumps along the way. So, can you use an expired passport to travel during COVID? And what are your options when it comes to renewing your expired passport? Here’s what you should know.
How Long is a Passport Valid For?
The length of validity for your passport depends on how old you were when you got your passport. If you were under the age of 16 when you got your passport, your passport is valid for five years. If you were over the age of 16 when you got your passport, your passport is valid for ten years. It’s important to note that some countries require that you have at least six months of validity remaining on your passport to visit. If you want to check when your passport was issued, you can look on the front of your passport card or on the data page of your passport book.
Can I Use an Expired Passport to Travel Internationally?
You can never travel internationally with an expired passport. If you try and travel internationally with an expired passport, you will most likely be turned away at the airport and have to get your passport renewed to go on your trip. It’s best that you avoid traveling internationally with an expired passport and instead look to renew your passport ahead of time.
Can I Use an Expired Passport to Enter the United States?
During COVID, there are some circumstances in which you can use an expired passport to enter the United States from an international destination, but we highly recommend not traveling this way. Though some U.S. citizens who are abroad may be able to return to the United States using an expired passport until March 31, 2022, you’ll have to meet the following criteria:
- You must be returning directly to the United States.
- Your passport expired after January 1, 2020.
- Your passport must be a 10-year passport if you were 16 years or older at the time your passport was issued.
- Your passport must be a 5-year passport if you were 16 years or younger at the time your passport was issued.
- You must have your passport in hand.
How Can I Renew My Passport?
Though you can use an expired passport to return to the United States under certain circumstances during COVID, we encourage you not to depend on using an expired passport. If you will be traveling internationally and your passport is set to expire soon, or within the next six months, we recommend getting your passport renewed ahead of time. Doing so will allow you to travel with peace of mind and lets you continue planning exciting future travel plans.
If you’re looking to renew your passport, you can do so on the Swift Passport website. We can help you renew your passport within 7-10 business days when you acquire your passport with Swift. Please note that you must call ahead (312-929-2105) if you want to use our 7-10 business days option, as it’s being offered on a first-come-first-serve basis. We also offer a 5-7 week processing time option. If you’re looking to use our 5-7 week option, you can get started on the Swift website.
How Much Does it Cost to Renew a Passport?
On December 21, 2021, passport fees increased by $20 for both passport renewals and new passports. The total cost of a passport varies depending on if you are looking to expedite your passport or not. Currently, if you are looking to renew your passport with Swift, we have two processing options available: a 7-10 business days processing time and a 5-7 week processing time. Below is the total cost for each option:
- 7-10 Business Days (Must Call Ahead): $806.56
- 5-7 Weeks: $342.56
Please note that the costs above do not include the shipping fee or the $10 processing fee. All fees will be displayed during checkout.
If you have questions about renewing your passport or obtaining a new passport, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’d be happy to help answer any questions you may have and get the process started. As always, no matter where you plan on traveling in the world, we’ll get you there!
