U.S. State Department Issues Warning on Passport Renewal Travel Risks
Posted on February 17, 2026 at 8:22 AM by First State Bank
The U.S. State Department issued a clear warning to American travelers who are in the midst of renewing their passports. In a recent Facebook post, the department explained that old passports "will be automatically canceled" and "cannot be used for international travel." This statement holds true, even if one's new passport has not yet arrived in the mail.
While this is how the passport renewal application system has always worked, it can often catch people off guard. For instance, just this month, an American traveler was stuck in a confusing passport limbo on the way to Canada after they had just applied to have theirs renewed. And they’re not alone. Many travelers have shared similar stories online, where they’ve started the passport renewal process, only to find that it impedes their upcoming international trip despite their current passport still being valid.
The State Department's Warning Holds True: U.S. Passport Holders Face International Travel Issues After Applying for A New Passport
The State Department's post about passports being canceled during renewal warns: "When you renew your U.S. passport through Online Passport Renewal you do NOT need to mail in your old passport, BUT remember that your old passport will be automatically cancelled and CANNOT be used for international travel (even before your new one arrives)." Despite this information being communicated clearly, some travelers still find themselves stuck in the void between their old and new passports.
For those who are unaware of how U.S. passport renewal works, discovering that their old passport is canceled, regardless of the expiry date, can be quite the shock, especially if they have an upcoming trip already booked.
For travelers who find themselves in these kinds of binds, not all hope is lost. They may be able to rectify the situation by calling the National Passport Information Center.
How U.S. Passport Renewal Works and Why Travelers' Old Passport Will Be Canceled
U.S citizens looking to renew their passports have a few options. They can renew online (this allows applicants to keep their old passport as a memento), renew by mail with a DS-82 form, or renew in person. Regardless of the method chosen, an old passport will be canceled and cannot be used for international travel. This is further expressed in the State Department’s Facebook post.
These rules are in place to prevent potential fraud. It’s similar to when someone's passport is lost or stolen; in both cases, the U.S. State Department says, "A United States citizen or non-citizen national may not normally have more than one valid or potentially valid U.S. passport book or more than one valid or potentially valid U.S. passport card at a time."
Though it’s important to note that the old passport, if it has not yet expired and is still in the owner's possession, can be used for domestic travel.
What To Do If You Need to Travel Internationally Before Your New Passport Arrives
So, what if a traveler has already submitted an online passport renewal, and they have an international trip coming up? In these urgent travel cases, when an international trip is booked within 14 days, it’s advised to call the National Passport Information Center (1-877-487-2778).
Here, travelers can request an in-person appointment where they may be able to expedite the renewal process. They should be sure to have either their application number or their last name and date of birth ready for the call. Also, they should be prepared to pay a few fees. The FAQ section on Travel.State.Gov notes that expedited services cost $60, while 1–3-day delivery can cost $22.05.
