No, your passport must be valid to use it for Real ID

An expired passport cannot be used to meet the Real ID document requirement. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Department of Homeland Security require that your passport be currently valid — meaning it has not passed its expiration date. If your passport is expired, you will need to renew it before you can use it as proof of identity for Real ID purposes.

This applies whether you are using your passport at the DMV to obtain a Real ID driver's license or presenting it at an airport. The expiration date is not a technicality — it is a hard boundary. An expired passport, even if it expired yesterday, does not meet the requirement.

Key Takeaways

  • A valid (non-expired) passport is one of the documents the TSA accepts to prove your identity for Real ID, but an expired one will not work.
  • You must renew your passport before using it at the DMV or airport, which typically takes several weeks through the State Department.
  • If your passport is expired, you can use other documents instead — such as a birth certificate plus a state ID, or a driver's license plus a Social Security card.
  • Passport renewal by mail takes four to six weeks; expedited renewal takes two to three weeks but costs extra.

How to renew an expired passport

If your passport expired fewer than five years ago (or fewer than three years if you were under 16 when it expired), you can renew it by mail without visiting a passport acceptance facility. You will need to send the State Department your expired passport, a completed Form DS-11 or DS-82 (depending on your situation), a new photo, and the renewal fee. Processing takes four to six weeks by standard mail service.

If your passport expired more than five years ago, or if you need it sooner, you must renew in person at a passport acceptance facility — usually your local courthouse, library, or post office. Bring your expired passport, the completed form, a new photo, and payment. In-person renewal takes the same four to six weeks, but you can pay extra for expedited service, which reduces the wait to two to three weeks.

The State Department website (state.gov/passport) has a tool to find your nearest acceptance facility and shows current processing times. Fees vary depending on whether you renew by mail or in person, and whether you choose expedited service.

What to do while your passport is being renewed

You cannot use an expired passport for Real ID purposes, but you do not have to wait for your new passport to arrive before getting a Real ID driver's license. You can use a different combination of documents instead. The TSA accepts several paths: a birth certificate plus a current state ID, a driver's license plus a Social Security card, or a state ID plus a utility bill, among others.

If you need to travel by air before your passport arrives, you can use your expired passport at the airport as a secondary form of ID (paired with another document), but it will not meet the Real ID requirement on its own. For domestic flights after May 7, 2025, you will need either a Real ID driver's license, a valid passport, or another TSA-approved document.

Other documents that work for Real ID if your passport is expired

You do not need a passport to get a Real ID. The TSA and DHS accept many other combinations of documents. A birth certificate (certified copy) plus a current state ID or driver's license is one of the most common paths. You can also use a state ID or driver's license plus a Social Security card, or a state ID plus a utility bill in your name.

Each state's DMV has its own list of accepted documents, so check your state's website before you go. Some states are stricter than others about which documents they will accept, and some require originals while others accept copies. Bringing the wrong documents means a wasted trip.

Timeline: passport renewal versus Real ID important date

If you are renewing your passport by mail, expect four to six weeks. If you choose expedited service, expect two to three weeks, plus the time it takes to mail your process and receive your new passport. If you need a Real ID before your passport arrives, use a different document combination instead — there is no reason to wait.

The federal Real ID important date is May 7, 2025. After that date, a passport (valid or expired) will not work for domestic air travel unless it is currently valid. If your passport is expired and you do not have time to renew it before you travel, bring your birth certificate and a state ID, or another accepted combination, to the airport instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my expired passport at the airport if I have a Real ID driver's license?

Yes. Once you have a Real ID driver's license, you do not need your passport at all for domestic flights. The Real ID license is sufficient on its own. You only need a valid passport if you are traveling internationally or if you do not have a Real ID license yet.

How much does it cost to renew a passport?

A passport book renewal costs $130 for adults, plus a $35 execution fee if you renew in person. By-mail renewal is $130 total. Expedited service adds $60. Fees can change, so check state.gov/passport for current pricing before you send payment.

What if I lost my expired passport and cannot find it?

You can still renew. Contact the State Department's passport agency or visit a passport acceptance facility and explain that your passport is lost. You will need to file a statement and provide a new photo and payment. Processing time is the same as a standard renewal.

Do I need to renew my passport if I already have a Real ID driver's license?

No. A Real ID driver's license is sufficient for domestic air travel and federal building access. You only need a valid passport if you are traveling outside the United States or if you prefer to use your passport instead of your driver's license.