Do You Need a Passport to Book an International Flight?

While you don't need a passport to book your international flight, make sure your documents are valid before traveling.

Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own.

Published · 4 min read
Profile photo of Anya Kartashova
Written by Anya Kartashova
Profile photo of Meg Lee
Edited by Meg Lee
Assigning Editor
Fact Checked

Imagine for a moment that it’s morning and you're about to wake up: Your alarm rings and you grab your smartphone from the bedside table. You’re still disoriented, but you decide to check your emails and something you see on the screen jolts you wide awake.

It’s a cheap flight alert to Japan from a subscription service you’d signed up for ages ago.

The deal looks too good to pass up, but there’s one problem: You don’t have a passport. So you wonder, “Can I book an international flight without a passport?”

Whether someone has never held a passport or they're still waiting on a passport renewal, not everyone has a passport on them at all times.

So, can you book an international flight without a passport? Let’s take a closer look.

Do you need a passport to book an international flight?

Thankfully for daydreaming travelers, the answer is no.

In most cases, U.S. citizens don’t need a passport to book an international flight. However, you do need one to check in for your flight and get on a plane, and the document has to be valid. For instance, European countries that are in the Schengen area require at least six months of passport validity. Otherwise, you won’t be able to board a plane to countries in the region.

Other countries have different rules. For example, Mexico only requires your passport to be valid at the time of travel, so make sure to check the U.S. Department of State website for your destination's requirements before traveling abroad.

Domestic trips within the United States don’t require a passport as long as you have a state ID or are enrolled in Clear.

How much does a U.S. passport cost?

The cost of a U.S. passport depends on whether you’re applying for the first time or renewing an expired passport.

First-time adult applicants will pay the following to get a new U.S. passport:

  • Passport book: $130.

  • Passport card: $30.

  • Passport book and card: $160.

  • Execution (acceptance) fee: $35.

The execution/acceptance fee must be paid for first-time applications, so all in: First-time passport book applicants can expect to pay around $165 total.

Applicants requesting to renew their passport will pay less because the acceptance fee doesn’t apply, so they'll just pay the passport book or passport card cost listed above.

If you need a fast turnaround, expedited service costs an additional $60, and two-day delivery is listed for another $19.53.

Video preview image

How to apply for a U.S. passport

If you’re applying for a passport as a first-time applicant, follow the steps for an in-person application at a passport acceptance facility.

  • Fill out a form (new passport, renewal, data corrections, name changes).

  • Provide evidence of U.S. citizenship (with a photocopy).

  • Present ID (with a photocopy).

  • Provide a photo.

  • Calculate fees and provide a check or a money order payable to the U.S. Department of State (debit or credit cards aren’t accepted).

  • Submit all the documents to a passport acceptance facility.

  • Track your application status online.

Note that the acceptance fee will be charged separately. To locate a passport acceptance facility in your area, enter your ZIP code on this page.

In most cases, it’ll be a public library, a post office or a local government office.

Some states have passport agencies that can process your passport application within 14 days of international travel or within 28 days if you need to apply for a visa, but they’re open by appointment only.

How to renew a U.S. passport

Renewing a U.S. passport requires sending an application by mail. In fact, it’s not possible to renew a U.S. passport at a passport acceptance facility unless you don’t qualify for a mail-in renewal.

To be eligible for a renewal by mail, the following must be true:

  • You can submit your old passport with your application.

  • The passport isn’t damaged.

  • It’s never been reported lost or stolen.

  • It was issued in the last 15 years.

  • It was issued when you were 16 or older.

  • It was issued in your current name (unless you have a marriage certificate or a divorce decree to support a name change).

  • It wasn’t limited to fewer than 10 years because of multiple issues with passport theft, loss or damage.

Note that once you renew your passport, you’ll get a new passport number, so if you saved your passport number in a frequent flyer account, you’ll have to update the number and the expiration date before you can check in for an international flight.

The U.S. Department of State also has tested online renewals, but the service has been put on hold for now.

How long will you wait for a U.S. passport?

The U.S. Department of State's current processing timelines are as follows:

  • Routine processing: Six to eight weeks.

  • Expedited processing: Two to three weeks.

It’s worth noting that mailing times aren’t included in these estimates, so you’ll have to account for that as well.

In short, you will need plenty of lead time to receive it before the travel date.

The bottom line

You don’t need a passport number to book an international flight. However, make sure to leave enough time for a passport renewal or a new application because it can take a while to process.

If you think you’re going to travel internationally, we recommend applying as soon as possible to have a passport ready. You don’t want to miss out on a great flight deal to Japan — or anywhere else — simply because you don’t have the required documents for international travel.


How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024:

Travel Cards from Our Partners
Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card

on Chase's website

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
5.0
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

1x-5x

5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

Points

Intro offer

60,000 Points + $300 Travel Credit

Get up to $1,050 in Chase Travel℠ value. Earn 60,000 bonus points after $4,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. That’s worth $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel. Plus, get up to $300 in statement credits on Chase Travel purchases within your first year.

Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card

on Chase's website

Chase Freedom Unlimited®
5.0
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

1.5%-5%

Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Cashback

Intro offer

Up to $300

Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

on Capital One's website

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
4.7
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

2x-5x

Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options

Miles

Intro offer

75,000

Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Miles
See more travel cards
MORE LIKE THISTravel
Get more smart money moves – straight to your inbox
Sign up and we’ll send you Nerdy articles about the money topics that matter most to you along with other ways to help you get more from your money.