Can I travel while waiting for my U.S. passport?

The American Citizen Services Section wants to remind all U.S. citizens not to travel outside the United States without a valid U.S. passport. While dual citizens may be able to travel abroad with alternative documentation, all U.S. citizens are required to present a U.S. passport to re-enter the United States.

What happens if my U.S. passport doesn't arrive in time?

Call (877) 487-2778 for an 'Urgent Travel Service' appointment with a local passport agency. Again, call as soon as they open at 8am Eastern Time. An agency is different than an accepting facility, e.g. your local post office.

Can a US citizen enter the US without a passport?

U.S. nationals, including U.S. dual nationals, must use a U.S. passport to enter and leave the United States. U.S. dual nationals may also be required by the country of their foreign nationality to use that country's passport to enter and leave that country.

Can I travel without my passport?

Generally, it is necessary to have a valid passport if you want to travel abroad. Depending on the country and your citizenship, you may also need to show proof of a valid eVisa, online visa, or visa.

Can I fly internationally without a passport?

A passport is required for all international travel. If you're traveling anywhere overseas, you need a passport to board an international flight and to enter the country. Passport cards will not be accepted as form of I.D. for international air travel.

Waiting to receive your U.S. passport? Here's why it could take a while.

What are alternatives to traveling without a passport?

Can a U.S. citizen be denied entry back into the USA?

U.S. citizens have the right to enter the United States, so if you are a U.S. citizen and the officers' questions become intrusive, you can decline to answer those questions, but you should be aware that doing so may result in delay and/or further inspection.

Can I enter the US with my birth certificate?

However, citizens are not permitted to fly to the US with only a birth certificate under any circumstances. Minors crossing the border with their birth certificate must provide an original or certified copy of their document.

Can I travel outside the US with my naturalization certificate?

All travelers must have a passport book for international air travel. Please note that hospital-issued birth certificates, voter registration cards, and affidavits cannot be used. If you were not born in the United States, you can use your original Naturalization Certificate or Certificate of Citizenship.

How can I get my U.S. passport for the first time fast?

Expedite a First-Time Application or a Child's Application

Fill out your DS-11 application and collect your documents. See How to Apply for more information. Be sure to include the $60 expedite fee in addition to the normal application fee. See Passport Fees for more information.

What is the fastest way to get a passport?

Online Premium allows you to get your new passport at your appointment at a passport office, with appointments lasting up to 30 minutes. You can use this service to renew an adult passport, and it is the fastest way to get a new passport. The earliest you can book an appointment is two days from when you book it.

How long are passports taking 2023?

New and renewal passport applicants should factor in 10 to 13 weeks for routine service. Alternatively, they can pay an additional $60 and expedite their application for slightly faster service within seven to nine weeks.

What to do if my US passport is taking too long?

Use a passport expeditor service

Courier or expeditor services charge a fee of anywhere between $150 and $300 to handle your passport application. They submit your paperwork on your behalf, and you can then pick up your passport in a few days.

Why do US passports take so long to process?

They're blaming the epic wait times on lingering pandemic -related staffing shortages and a pause of online processing this year. That's left the passport agency flooded with a record-busting 500,000 applications a week. The deluge is on-track to top last year's 22 million passports issued, the State Department says.

Can I get my passport on the same day in USA?

If you are traveling within the next two weeks, you may be able to visit the U.S. Passport Office for same-day or next-day processing.

What is proof of U.S. citizenship?

Proof of U.S. citizenship: You must either provide your most recently issued passport, an original U.S. birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240), a naturalization certificate, or a certificate of citizenship.

Can I use my birth certificate to go to Mexico?

To clarify, U.S. citizens entering Mexico must present proof of citizenship (such as a certified copy of a birth certificate), photo ID and proof of sufficient funds. A passport and visa are not required of U.S. citizens entering Mexico for tourism or for transit for stays of up to 90 days.

Which documents prove that you can enter the United States?

What is the penalty for U.S. citizens entering leaving the US on a foreign passport?

Nothing. The US has no exit checks (no matter if you leave by land, sea, or air), so there is nobody to stop you from leaving the US, as long as the carrier (if there is one) will let you board and the destination country will let you in.

Who pays for flight if denied entry?

The passenger will be responsible for the return fare. In most of the cases the passenger will have a return ticket, as many countries insist return ticket for granting non-immigration visa. If the person is denied to enter the country at Port of Entry (POE) then an individual has to pay his/her own flight expenses.

What happens if you get turned away at the US border?

After the denial of entry, the American border will often contact the RCMP and let them know the whereabouts of the wanted person. If the warrant is stateside, instead of receiving a refusal of entry the individual will likely be arrested on the spot.

What country does not require a passport?

Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands are two Caribbean countries that do not require a passport for American citizens when traveling by air or sea. Essentially, these countries are regarded as domestic travel within the United States.

Can I go to Cancun without a passport?

For the purpose of flying into as well as out of Mexico, a Passport is always required for cancun as well. Technically, It must be a legitimate passport book and not just an ordinary passport card, as the card isn't valid to travel internationally. The passport book should have validity for the period of your stay.

What year did passports become mandatory?

With two exceptions, U.S. citizens were not required to have a passport for travel abroad until 1941. Passports were required for a short time during the Civil War (August 19, 1861–March 17, 1862) and during World War I (May 22, 1918–1921). After World War II began, passports became mandatory for all U.S. travelers.