Travelling next month with dual-citizen kids, but their US passports expired

Anyone know if this will be a problem? I'm wanting to go to the US with my kids for a quick visit, but their US passports have expired. Their UK ones are still valid, though -- will I be OK travelling with them? If I take the expired US passports with me and show them & explain, maybe?

I know US citizens aren't supposed to enter the US under other passports. My inexpert advice would be to get their passports renewed before you go.

You definitely should renew them before entering the US.

I wouldn't risk the huge hassle - I agree with Geeta you should renew the passports.

Anyone know if this will be a problem? I'm wanting to go to the US with my kids for a quick visit, but their US passports have expired. Their UK ones are still valid, though -- will I be OK travelling with them? If I take the expired US passports with me and show them & explain, maybe?

To be honest, I've seen this done before. One girl, who was an adult, was traveling with her British passport but showed her recently expired US passport to the officer. She got scolded, but she was allowed in. You can try it, but you'll be running the risk. Renew the passports if you can.

Hmm -- so it might be possible but it might not? How anooyingly ambiguous -- still, I'm going to see if I can get the passport renewed as soon as possible. Looks like it takes 15 business days (according to the Embassy's website)...anyone know if that's an accurate assessment?

i just did my daughter's renewal 3 weeks ago, and the new passport arrived after 9 working days.  you might want to email the US Embassy passport section about an emergency one, at LondonEmergencyPPT@state.gov . 

LOADS of wrong info present in this thread.


If the DAD's kids are going to travel on the british passports then they have to apply for ESTA which will ask if they have a claim to US Citizenship and then refuse the ESTA because they need US Passports. Also if they attempt to travel on the UK passports without ESTA clearance the airlines will refuse them travel.

The only option DAD has is to do the renewals for the kids. Also since they are children the renewals must be done IN PERSON at the US Embassy in London. Be aware that if they were under age 5 with this most recent passports wer issued then you need to include a photo age progression with their applcations.


And yes,  renewals are running 15 business days at the moment. however a bit faster for in person applications.

Just to follow on from WebyJ's post, it is actually illegal for a US citizen to enter or leave the US on a foreign passport, so it's not just a risk, it is breaking the law.

From the US Embassy in London website (US citizenship FAQ):

I am an American citizen, but also have a foreign passport. Can I use my foreign passport to travel to the United States? 

No. Under U.S. law, U.S. citizens must be in possession of a valid U.S. passport to enter or leave the United States. This is true even if you hold a passport from another country. If your U.S. passport has been lost or stolen, or if it has expired, you must apply to replace it before traveling to the United States.

Just book your flights and then get an emergency passport within two weeks of travel. It'll be issued same-day. Within a year of those being issued, go back to the embassy and do a full five-year renewal for no additional cost. But yes, they definitely need US passports.