Can You Book an International Flight with an Expired Passport?

Finding an expired passport when you're planning international travel creates immediate panic and confusion. The first question most people ask is whether they can even book their flight with an expired passport.

The answer is yes - you can usually book an international flight with an expired passport, but you absolutely cannot travel on it. Airlines typically don't check passport validity when you book online, but they will verify it before you board. This means you could end up losing your money and missing your trip if you don't get your passport renewed in time.

Key Takeaways

• You can book a flight with an expired passport, but you won’t be able to travel using it.

• Most countries require 6 months' validity beyond your return date. 

• Standard government processing takes 6-8 weeks; expedited takes 3-5 business days. 

• Professional expediting services can expedite passport processing to 3-5 business days. 

• Document errors are the number one cause of delays.

• Hand-delivery eliminates mail delays and speeds processing. 

• Total cost for urgent service: approximately $610, including all government fees. 

Why Time Matters When Your Passport Expires?

Most countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months beyond your planned return date. This means even if your passport hasn't technically expired, it might still be too close to expiration for international travel.

Here's what happens when you try to travel with an expired or soon-to-expire passport:

• At the airport: Airlines will deny you boarding. You'll lose your flight costs and any non-refundable bookings, such as hotels or tours.

• At customs: If you somehow make it to your destination, foreign customs officials can deny you entry and send you back on the next available flight.

• Travel insurance: Most policies won't cover trip cancelations due to expired travel documents since this is considered a preventable issue.

The real challenge isn't just getting a new passport; it's getting one fast enough to save your plans. Standard government processing takes 6-8 weeks, but Get My Passports expedites processing by hand-delivering applications directly to passport agencies and providing document review to avoid delays, enabling passport issuance in as little as 3-5 business days.

Step-by-Step Guide: What to Do When Your Passport Expires Before Your Trip

When your passport expires close to your travel date, taking the proper steps in the correct order can mean the difference between making your trip and losing thousands in non-refundable bookings. Here's exactly what to do when time is running short.

Step 1: Check Your Exact Travel Requirements

Before panicking, verify exactly when you need your passport. Visit the U.S. State Department website at travel.state.gov to check entry requirements for your destination country. Some countries accept passports valid for just three months, while others need six months or more.

Step 2: Calculate Your Timeline

Count backwards from your departure date. If you have more than 8 weeks, you can use standard processing. Less than 8 weeks? You'll need expedited services.

Step 3: Gather Your Documents Quickly

You'll need:

• Your expired passport (if you have it)

• A completed DS-11 or DS-82 form

• One passport photo

• Proof of citizenship (birth certificate if applying for the first time)

• Photo ID

• Payment for government and expediting fees

Step 4: Choose Your Processing Speed

Government options include:

• Standard processing: 6-8 weeks

• Expedited processing: 3-5 business days (additional $60 fee)

• Urgent travel service: Available for life-or-death situations only, requiring documented proof and direct application at a passport agency.

Step 5: Consider Professional Help

If you're cutting it close, passport expediting services can hand-deliver your application and often get faster processing than you can achieve on your own.

How Get My Passports Saves Your Travel Plans

If government processing times do not match your travel dates, we assist by delivering your application directly to the passport agency and reviewing documents to help avoid delays.

Document Review Before You Submit: We catch errors that would otherwise delay your application by weeks. Missing signatures, incorrect forms, and photo issues are the top reasons applications get rejected.

Hand-Delivery Service: Instead of mailing your application and hoping for the best, we deliver it to the U.S. Passport Agency. This eliminates mail delays and puts your application in official hands immediately.

Live Tracking and Updates: You'll know exactly where your passport is in the process. We provide proactive updates so you're never left wondering.

Compliant Passport Photos On-Site: No need to worry about whether your CVS photos meet requirements. We take compliant photos right in our Chicago office for $20 (standard) or $35 (non-standard requirements).

Bilingual Support: Our team speaks English and Spanish fluently, making the process smoother for immigrant families and non-native English speakers.

30-Minute Consultations: We review your specific situation and recommend the fastest, most cost-effective solution for your timeline.

Need your passport soon? Call us at (708) 360-7277 to get started. We're based in Chicago and specialize in fast, reliable passport renewals that get you traveling on schedule.

Common Passport Renewal Mistakes That Cause Delays

Even when you start the passport renewal process early, simple mistakes can add weeks to your processing time. Understanding these pitfalls helps you avoid them and protects your travel timeline.

Photo Rejection Issues

Passport applications are often delayed due to problems with the photo. Common issues include shadows, incorrect background colors, wrong dimensions, or photos older than six months. Many retail photo services fail to understand current passport photo requirements, resulting in automatic rejections.

Form Completion Errors

Missing signatures, incorrect dates, or incomplete sections trigger immediate application returns. The DS-82 renewal form appears straightforward, but minor oversights can lead to significant delays. We see applications returned for missing middle names, incorrect mailing addresses, or forgetting to sign in blue or black ink.

Documentation Mistakes

First-time applicants often submit copies instead of originals, or provide documents that don't meet State Department requirements. Birth certificates must be certified copies issued by the vital records office; hospital-issued certificates aren't accepted.

Payment Processing Problems 

Incorrect check amounts, unsigned checks, or using the wrong payment method can delay your application by weeks. Government fees change periodically, and using outdated fee information is surprisingly common.

Mailing and Timing Issues

Applications sent to the wrong processing center, insufficient postage, or packages that arrive after the cutoff times can push your passport into the next processing cycle.

Our document review service catches these issues before submission. We've prevented thousands of application rejections by ensuring every detail meets current State Department standards before your documents leave our Chicago office.

Pricing & Timelines: What Fast Passport Service Really Costs

Understanding the actual cost helps you make an informed decision about your passport renewal strategy.

Government Fees (Paid Directly to U.S. State Department)

• Passport Book/Application: $130

• Expedited Processing Fee (2-3 weeks): $60

• 1-2 Day Delivery: $22.05

• Total Government Fees: $212.05

Government fees are paid directly to the government. Our service fee covers document review, error correction, priority submission, and hand-delivery to ensure your application processes without delays.

Additional Services

• U.S. Standard Passport Photos: $20

• Non-Standard Passport Photos: $35

• Visa Processing: Standard processing 3-7 days (timeline varies by country)

Don't Let an Expired Passport Ground Your Travel Dreams

An expired passport doesn't have to mean canceled plans. With the right approach and professional support, you can get your travel documents updated quickly and reliably.

The key is acting fast and avoiding common mistakes that cause delays. Every day you wait adds pressure to your timeline and limits your options.

Ready to get your passport renewed quickly and correctly? Call Get My Passports at (708) 360-7277 or visit our Chicago office at 432 N Clark St, Suite 203. We'll review your timeline, handle the paperwork, and ensure you're ready for your next adventure.