Expired Passport

A few other things to point out although others have already reassured the OP upon being allowed to cross back into the United States :

As I can speak for the US and Canada, anyone that is arriving at a port of entry upon crossing into either one of these two countries must satisfy customs-immigration officials upon these two MANDATORY requirements for permitted entry :

-Established proof of identity

-Proof of citizenship (no more verbal declarations are accepted crossing into the US since Feb 2008)

For US Citizens entering the United States, a valid US passport or WHTI equivelent (passport card, nexus card, enhanced driver license or ID, etc.) is REQUIRED for permitted entry....in which the valid US passport or WHTI equivelent card holder automatically satisfies the two MANDATORY requirements for permitted entry.

Any US Citizen entering the United States without the required document(s) for permitted entry will be subjected to additional screening measures by customs-immigration officials as they see fit until both proof of identity and proof of US citizenship is satisfied.

As long as any US citizen can fulfill by proving US citizenship and identity with other forms of valid documentation not listed under the required WHTI guidelines, customs-immigration officials cannot refuse any US citizen upon returning to the United States, period.

I also noticed the OP's listed location showing New York State, which is one of the four US states (WA, MI, NY, VT) that issue the enhanced driver license which is considered equal to a valid US passport or equivelent upon returning to the United States as they establish both proof of identity and proof of citizenship.

If the New York driver license is a enhanced issue, that is identical to a valid passport or equivelent crossing into the United States furthermore not sweating it by merely stuck with an expired US passport.

Worst case scenario for the OP is possibly having the expired passport confiscated by officials if submitted upon re-entry into the United States and reapplying for a new issue as a first time applicant.

Always does not hurt to bring other proof of identity and proof of citizenship documentation with you knowing a valid document will be expired upon returning to the United States, thus speeding up the process while under additional screening measures in order to be permitted entry.

KAG..
dont make the guy paranoid now...:W

Of course if you call in or send a question in, they will say you have to/or should have a current passport BUT if youy show up with proof you are US citizen, they WILL let you in.
What else can they do, send you somewhere else?
I am canadian but cross the border more than once a week and know this for fact.
They will even let an honest Canadian in without a passport for the right reason. i.e. medical or a funeral..
They do have some discression thank goodness.

kag4459 If you review my reply to OP questions you will read what DOCs are required for re-entry into the U.S. for a U.S. citizen. My information is accurate and based on facts, not just run of the mill internet information. Hope this helps. Sincerely.

Lakeside

Please see the following link regarding documents required for re-entry to the United States. https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/74/session/L3NpZC95S2oqeVRxbA%3D%3D/search/1 The is a place on this page to submit questions. It might be advisable to re-confirm you can re-enter with an expired US passport. Better safe than sorry.

Thanks all!!! You've eased my tension & saved me big bucks. That's what this network is all about.

v10superduty is right on. The Canadians do NOT require a passport to enter their country. All a U.S. citizen needs to return to their own country is "PROOF" of U.S. citizenship. Your expired passport will show that you are (or once was) a U.S. citizen. The only way to loose U.S. citizenship is to renounce it. As long as you have not renounced your U.S. citizenship you will be allowed to re-enter your own country. As long at the photo on your passport has similiarities to your current physical state, you will have few or no issues at the U.S. border. If I were in your same situtation I would have with me a current photo document issued by the goverment (driver's license) and a ledgible copy of your birth certificate. These additional documents plus your expired passport will grant you re-entry into the United States by any and all U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers. Good luck. Safe travels.

Lakeside

wanderingbob wrote:
I have traveled for years on an expired passport , what they gonna do ?
I have never been refused entry .

listen to this guy..
you dont even need a passport to get into Canada to drive through and the USA wont deny you entry to your homeland if you have proof you are US citizen. May take 2 minutes longer but no big deal.
Dont bother to pay extra, just order your new one and if you got it, great. If not, won't stop your entry to either country. Enjoy your trip.

I have traveled for years on an expired passport , what they gonna do ?
I have never been refused entry .

Check the official pages: http://travel.state.gov/passport/renew/renew_833.html

This is what you need to know if you already have a valid passport.

I saw this one on line

http://uspassportonline.com/?gclid=CLuUjcz3p7cCFep7QgodahAAzw

Looks there are a lot of people to help you for a fee.
I would get it done before you leave. It is like winter up here still.

dennis