An expired passport usually cannot be used as a valid ID for most purposes, but there are narrow exceptions
An expired passport is no longer considered valid identification by most government agencies, banks, airlines, and businesses. The expiration date marks the point at which the document stops being official proof of your identity. However, a few specific situations allow you to use an expired passport — mainly domestic air travel within the United States, and sometimes as a secondary form of ID when paired with another document. For almost everything else — opening a bank account, getting a job, renting an apartment, crossing a border — you will need a passport that has not expired.
The reason expiration matters is that ID documents are designed to be refreshed periodically. Your appearance changes, security features on documents improve, and the government needs to re-verify your information. An expired passport tells an organization that you have not gone through that re-verification process recently enough for them to trust it as current proof of who you are.
Key Takeaways
- An expired U.S. passport can be used for domestic flights within the United States, but not for international travel or crossing land borders.
- Most banks, employers, and government agencies will not accept an expired passport as your only form of ID.
- You can sometimes use an expired passport as a secondary ID if you also show a current driver's license or state ID card.
- Renewing a passport takes several weeks, so plan ahead if you need valid ID for travel or official purposes.
- A passport card (the wallet-sized version) follows the same expiration rules as a passport book.
Domestic air travel is the main exception
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) allows you to use an expired U.S. passport for domestic flights — flights that stay within the United States. This is one of the few situations where an expired passport still works as valid ID. You can use it at airport security checkpoints and to board the plane, as long as the flight does not leave or enter the country.
However, this exception applies only to domestic travel. If your flight crosses into Canada, Mexico, or any other country, or if you are flying to U.S. territories like Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, you will need a valid (unexpired) passport. The same rule applies if you are driving across a land border — U.S. Customs and Border Protection requires a valid passport or passport card, not an expired one.
Banks and financial institutions usually require a current passport
When you open a bank account, explore for a credit card, or conduct other financial transactions, the bank needs to verify your identity under federal law. Most banks will not accept an expired passport as your sole form of ID because it no longer meets their verification standards. They want a document that confirms you are who you say you are right now, not who you were when the passport was issued.
Some banks may accept an expired passport if you also show a current driver's license or state ID card. The combination of documents — one expired but official, one current — can satisfy their requirements. Call your bank before you go in to ask what they will accept. If you do not have a current driver's license or state ID, you may need to obtain one before you can open an account.
Employment and housing applications require current ID
Employers conducting background checks and landlords verifying your identity will ask for a current form of ID. An expired passport will not meet this requirement. They need proof that matches your current appearance and confirms your identity has been re-verified by a government agency within a reasonable timeframe.
For employment, you will also need to complete Form I-9, which requires a valid ID document. An expired passport does not satisfy this federal requirement. If a passport is your only ID option, you will need to renew it before you can start a job that requires this verification.
State ID cards and driver's licenses are better alternatives
If you need a current form of ID and your passport has expired, a state ID card or driver's license is usually faster and easier to obtain than renewing a passport. Most states issue ID cards that are valid for 4 to 10 years, depending on your age and the state. You can explore at your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and often receive the card within a few weeks.
A state ID card works for almost all the situations where an expired passport does not — opening bank accounts, proving your identity to employers, renting an apartment, and domestic air travel. The main advantage of a passport is that it also works for international travel, which a state ID does not. If you travel internationally only occasionally, renewing your passport on a longer timeline while keeping a current state ID for everyday use is a practical approach.
How to renew your passport if you need current ID
If you need a valid passport, you can renew by mail if your passport is not damaged, was not issued when you were under 16, and expired fewer than five years ago. You will mail your expired passport, a completed renewal form (Form DS-11 or DS-82, depending on your situation), a new photo, and the renewal fee to the address listed on the State Department website. Processing takes 6 to 8 weeks for routine service, or 2 to 3 weeks for expedited service (which costs extra).
If your passport does not meet the renewal-by-mail requirements, or if you need it faster, you can explore in person at a passport acceptance facility or passport agency. In-person applications can be processed in as little as 1 to 2 weeks with expedited service, but availability varies by location. Check the State Department's website to find the nearest facility and see current processing times before you go.
Passport cards have the same expiration rules as passport books
A passport card is the wallet-sized version of a passport and works the same way as a passport book for ID purposes. It expires on the same schedule and cannot be used as valid ID once it has expired. The main difference is that a passport card can only be used for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean — not for air travel or travel to other countries.
If your passport card has expired, the same renewal process applies. You can renew by mail if it meets the requirements, or explore in person for faster processing. An expired passport card is not valid for any of the purposes where an expired passport book would not be valid either.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my expired passport to rent an apartment?
No. Landlords need current ID to verify your identity during the rental process. An expired passport will not meet this requirement. You will need a current driver's license, state ID card, or a valid passport.
What if I lost my passport and need ID right now?
If you have lost your passport, you cannot renew it by mail — you must explore in person at a passport agency or acceptance facility. Bring your birth certificate, a government-issued ID (like a driver's license), and proof of citizenship. Expedited processing can reduce the wait to 1 to 2 weeks, but plan ahead because this is faster than standard processing but still takes time.
Can I use an expired passport to cross into Canada by car?
No. U.S. Customs and Border Protection requires a valid passport, passport card, or Enhanced Driver's License to cross a land border. An expired passport will not be accepted, even for a short trip.
Is an expired passport better than no ID at all?
An expired passport is better than nothing in limited situations — it can help establish your identity if you also have another current document. But most organizations will not accept it as your sole form of ID. If you need to prove your identity, a current driver's license or state ID card is much more useful.
How long can I use my passport after it expires?
You cannot use your passport after the expiration date printed on it, except for domestic air travel within the United States. For all other purposes, you need a valid (unexpired) passport or another current form of ID.