Can You Get a Passport With a DUI in 2026? Yes — Here’s the Catch

Here's the short answer: a DUI does not disqualify you from a U.S. passport — not a first offense, not a misdemeanor, and in almost every case not even a felony DUI. Passport eligibility is set by a short list of federal rules, and drunk driving isn't on it.

But there are two real catches, and one of them surprises almost everyone.

What actually blocks a passport

The State Department doesn't run a general criminal check when you apply. It screens for a specific set of federal flags:

• An outstanding federal felony warrant (or certain state warrants and extradition requests).

• Child-support arrears of $2,500 or more — the one true automatic block. (The $2,500 rule, explained.)

• Seriously delinquent federal tax debt certified by the IRS.

• Certain drug convictions — federal or state — while you're still imprisoned, on parole, or on probation for them, mainly where the offense crossed international lines.

• A court order forbidding you to leave the country, or conditions of release that say so.

Notice what's not there: a DUI conviction, by itself, past or recent.

Catch #1: probation

If you're still on probation for the DUI, your probation terms may prohibit leaving the state or the country — and while that usually doesn't stop the passport from being issued, using it could violate your probation. That's a probation problem, not a passport problem, and it has its own playbook: see getting a passport while on probation.

Catch #2: the passport gets you out — not in

This is the one that catches people at the border. A U.S. passport controls your ability to leave and return to the U.S. Whether another country lets you in is entirely up to them — and Canada is famously strict about DUIs. Canadian law treats impaired driving as serious criminality, which can make you inadmissible for years after the conviction. Travelers with a valid passport get turned around at the Canadian border over a single old DUI more often than you'd think.

If Canada is in your plans, look into a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) or criminal rehabilitation (available after enough time has passed) before you book. Mexico, the EU, and most other destinations generally don't screen for misdemeanor DUIs.

So what should you do?

1. Off probation, no warrants, no arrears? Apply normally — your DUI is a non-issue.

2. Still on probation? Read your conditions and talk to your probation officer first.

3. Planning Canada? Sort your admissibility before you travel, not at the border.

Curious what else can (and can't) stop an application? Start with what can stop you from getting a passport, or the specifics for a felony record and misdemeanors.

When you're clear to apply, we make it fast

Eligibility sorted? We handle the rest — application prep, compliant photos, and expedited processing. Book an appointment or get in touch and we'll get your passport moving.

Get My Passports is a private company that provides passport and visa application assistance and courier coordination where available. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. Government authorities make all passport decisions. This article is general information, not legal advice — confirm your situation with your court, probation officer, or state agency.