Will an expired Passport get me on a plane?

[barbeml]

We leave for WDW in one month. DH is flying for the first time since 9/11, I flew 2 years ago while my passport was still valid. DH has no passport. Neither of us has photo driver's licenses, since NJ has not required until recently and we do not have to convert until renewal in 2 years.

NJ says my passport is acceptable as long as it did not expire more than 3 years ago (it expired last fall). Will it get me on a plane or not?

I can't find an answer at USAirways website or passport website.

Thanks for any help you can offer.

 

[Dopey Sharon]

I don't know about the passport, but you can go to Motor Vehicles and get your pictures on your licenses. Unless it's changed, they charge you $5.

 

[barbeml]

Hi Sharon. We went to MV this morning. They require "six points of ID" including a photo ID. Our current driver's licenses are not considered, even tho we were both born & raised in NJ. My expired passport will work for part of the ID requirements, but DH has no photo ID and he can't find his birth certificate.

 

[n2mm]

How in the heck does your husband get by with no photo ID? I can't tell you how many times I'm asked to show a photo ID when shopping and using my credit cards. Who would know that it is that difficult to get an ID in NJ. Here in WV you can get a picture ID at DMV even if you don't drive. All you need is a SSN card or a birth certificate, plus something with your address on it--a utility bill or checking account. Even my 11 year old grandson has a picture ID from DMV that he uses to fly.

I do think the OP needs to take care of this, because you really need to have a valid picture ID when you travel. In addition to having an ID when you checkin at your airline, we here in Wash. DC, also have to show a valid ID when we go through the security line. You also need a valid picture ID when you checkin to your resort.

The OP needs to contact the office of vital records in NJ and get a certified birth certificate. If the office of vital records is close to you, you need to visit them and pick it up in person. Then head to DMV and get some current identification cards. I'm sure DMV will issue you new driver's licenses--there are alot of NJ folks who travel, so I'm curious what they do? If not, the stress if going to drive you crazy.

 

[Dopey Sharon]

That's ridiculous! This new "six point" system really sucks for us honest folks. I'm going to have to go to the municipal building, in the township I got married (27 years ago) to get my marriage certificate, when I renew my license, since my birth certificate is in my maiden name.

I really don't know what to tell you. Can your husband get another birth certificate? I guess that's where I would start. He's going to need that to get a passport, too, right? You don't have much time. I would go to the municipal building, where he was born and get another birth certificate, on Monday. Then go back to MV and get your pictures on your licenses.

Good luck!

 

[barbeml]

Luckily, we live just outside Trenton where DH was born, so getting a copy of his birth certificate is fairly easy, but of course it means taking a day off work. The only certificate of marriage we received was from the church. We never got a document from the county.

Since NJ never required a photo ID until recently, I guess it is obvious why the 9/11 terrorists got licenses here.

Motor Vehicles gave us an 8-panel brochure detailing the requirements. Much easier to get a gun.

 

[Dopey Sharon]

I only have the marriage certificate thing from our church too, and I'm sure MV won't take that.

Tell your DH to take off either Monday or Tuesday...the weather is supposed to be beautiful! At least he won't waste a day on crappy weather!

Good luck. I hope everything falls into place. You don't have much time!

 

[CarolMN]

Opps! Never mind!

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

I suggest you spend the weekend locating all the offices you'll need to visit in order to get the documents you need to get licenses with your pictures on them. Then take a day off of work ASAP to get it done. I can't imagine how you have been able to survive and live all these years without positive photo identification. I can't even pick my kids up from school without a photo ID!

 

[barbeml]

I have had a passport for 10 years, and DH's college ID (he went back to school for a third degree six years ago) worked fine until now. He never had trouble boarding a plane with his college ID, but he has not flown since 9/11.

We both had photo drivers licenses years ago (I needed one to take a cruise to Nassau), but let them expire. Photo licenses were always optional in NJ, and dealing with MV here is such a wretched experience that people will do anything to avoid it. We have been renewing license and registration by mail and online for years, while a photo license renewal requires a visit to MV.

I've now managed to find everything we need to go back to MV, except for DH's birth certificate. So he will be visiting City Hall this week.

Thanks for all replies!

 

[nancyj]

You can order certified copies of New Jersey birth certificates and marriage certificates through www.vitalchek.com. I've used this website for both and it worked great. Now they require you to fax ID (this was not necessary when I used them several years ago), but the website states that if you don't have a photo Id, you can use your non-photo driver's license and some additional ID.

On another note, I went to MV about 2 weeks ago to renew my DL and was done in about 15 minutes. DH went during a very busy time and it took him just under an hour.

 

[barbeml]

thanks so much for the info!

 

[NotUrsula]

As long as it is a domestic flight, you can technically get on the plane without valid photo ID, but you have to go through a VERY exhaustive security search if you don't have one. TSA does not normally accept expired ID as a primary photo ID, though they will accept it as backup if you can't present a valid one. So while it is possible, it is certainly neither quick nor pleasant to have to do it that way.

The actual law regarding who gets on does NOT mention photo ID, so they do have to let people through without it unless they can find some other reason to deny boarding. The extra scrutiny involves trying VERY hard to find some other reason.

FYI, it is possible to get express 24 hr passport issuance if you go through a passport agent. Not cheap, but it does work (the fee is usually an extra $100 for the service, in addition to the State Dept. expedite fee and standard fees.)

 

[seashoreCM]

Please, please, do what you need to do including standing on your head to obtain the needed photo ID. There are too many horror stories including a high school girl who was kept back from her senior trip because she didn't have hers. (It was stolen but that's a whole 'nuther program.)

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm
___________________________________________________

Next trip: mid May, 2005

Never put soda pop in a baby bottle.

 

[Gillian]

I've used vitalcheck too. Not cheap, but very convenient! You can order multiple copies if you tend to misplace things.

NJ DMV has been much easier for us to deal with since a relative starting working there. I know it's a difficult job - doesn't pay great, lots of unhappy people to deal with. The six point thing isn't a picnic for them either.

 

[Gillian]

BTW, my mom's photo ID went missing (under the lining of her purse) while we were going home from Disney in 2003. They said it wouldn't be a problem but didn't say what would happen. When we tried to preboard with DS age 2, they wouldn't let her on. So I was left alone, very pregnant, holding a toddler, with carry ons for 3 people, a car seat & a stroller, and no one to help. I was standing in the tube thingy crying and they yelled at me to get moving, which simply wasn't possible. Then closed the door to the waiting area and left me alone in there to cry. Finally they got someone to help me on the plane while mom went through major questioning. Eventually she was let on.

Once you get your photo ID, try not to lose it!

 

[barbeml]

Thanks for the additional info.

We are definitely getting the photo licenses. Interesting to note: we had dinner with a friend last night who flies to Florida regularly. He presents a 10-year-old NJ photo license and his current non-photo license and has no trouble boarding. But I have no luck, so we would probably be detained.

Gillian--I have seen huge improvement with Motor Vehicle employees. Problem is the "official" info MV sends out is ALWAYS wrong. I bought a new car in PA and had to take it to NJ MV for tags. Everything the NJ MV notice told me to do was incorrect and the Inspection Station staff was very nice, but just as frustrated as I was!

 

[Vivianne]

In Connecticut we have an option for those who lose their licenses while traveling. You need to call the Valid Without Photo Unit. The name is a misnomer because your recorded license (on DMV computer) has to have your photo on it for them to be able to process (this requirement is post 911). You call them they send you a form you need to sign when you get it (at your out-of-state address). You can mail it express mail with your payment for a duplicate license and an additional express mail envelope addressed to your out of state address. Otherwise, people locally would avoid getting an updated picture. I don't know how it works for other states.

 

[brendrek]

The NJ DMV is way better these days. When I renewed my license (6 point system) and registration last summer, I expected that would take at least an hour to process. Needless to say I was in and out of there in less than 5 minutes. They do most things right at the counter now. I was very impressed. Just have the proper documents ready. My only gripe is I hate the picture

 

[barbeml]

That's a comfort. We were expecting a 2-hour process.

I think they use special cameras that make everyone look dreadful. My one and only photo license was downright scary. I actually like my passport photo, but I guess MotoPhoto doesn't have those special government agency cameras!