Can a US citizen come back to the US without a passport?

All U.S. citizens need U.S. passport books if re-entering by air. Land and sea border crossings accept additional travel documents, such as U.S. Passport cards and Trusted Traveler cards. Child travelers have additional options - see the Traveling with Children section.



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There are no penalties. The customs officials might be furious but the only thing they can do is confirm you're citizen and let you back in. As for leaving the US, the US doesn't have exit checkpoints so you can leave on any passport.

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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.

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All U.S. citizens need U.S. passport books if re-entering by air. Land and sea border crossings accept additional travel documents, such as U.S. Passport cards and Trusted Traveler cards. Child travelers have additional options - see the Traveling with Children section.

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In most countries, you can travel anywhere within your nation's borders without a passport. The only exception is when you leave your home country to enter a foreign nation. However, even if you travel nationally, you will always need photo ID, such as a driver's license or National ID card to board a flight.

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You can only remain outside the United States, however, as long as you re-enter the U.S. before the expiration date printed on your travel document. The travel document is valid for one year after it's issued, typically within 150 days (in some cases longer) after submitting your application materials to USCIS.

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If your passport's time is almost up, don't wait — start the renewal process now. You can't travel while your renewal application is being processed, and you need to make sure your travel documents are valid for at least six months past the dates of any planned international trips.

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The United States allows naturalized (and other) citizens to become dual citizens with their home countries (though it's not possible for everyone, depending on the laws within said home countries). And if you're a dual citizen, you may not only keep your old passport, but travel with it, if you wish.

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In place of a passport, you can use WHTI-compliant documents like passport cards, trusted traveler's cards, and NEXUS cards. While these allow you to travel to these regions by sea and road, they are not acceptable for international flights.

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Now, most of the time, you need to have a passport when traveling, but there are always a few exceptions.
  • Best Places to Travel Without a US Passport. You can travel without a passport in the following countries: ...
  • Puerto Rico. ...
  • US Virgin Islands. ...
  • Northern Mariana Islands. ...
  • American Samoa. ...
  • Guam. ...
  • Canada. ...
  • Mexico.


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