I booked a last minut trip to turkey and just realised that my passport expired a year ago. Some travel agencies say up to 5 year expired passports are ok, but I am not sure about this (and it's too late to phone the embassy). Any info/help is very appreciated!

Expired passports are not ok. You need a valid passport to travel these days no matter what anybody tells you.

What kind of travel agencies gave you that horrible advice?

Expired means exaactly that - expired. It's no longer valid. You can't leave the country.

And I hope the trip isn't too too "last-minute," because it's taking weeks/months to get a replacement passport these days.

funny

Well, if you have a passport from one of the Schengen countries and want to travel within Schengen area, a recently expired passport can still be used, as it simply acts as ID and there aren't normally passport checks. But for travelling outside, such as to Turkey, you will need a valid passport.

What country are you from? Only asking because all the "passport angst" lately is mostly from Americans stuck in the backlogs at US passport offices.

You will need a new passport for sure.

(5 years is not "a recently expired passport" )

OMG, this takes the cake. This is the all-time most stupid advice I've ever heard from a travel agent!! This is about as bad as when a travel agent told my mom to put her insulin into her checked luggage. Unfriggin' believable.

re-reading the op - I think we might be wrong to slam TA's in this case.

anid: did a Travel agent actually say this to you?? &quot;<i> Some travel agencies say up to 5 year expired passports are ok</i>&quot; doesn't sound like that is what happened. Where did you actually hear/read this?

(BTW -- if a TA DID say this they shoud lose their certificate)

As far as I know for Turkey, an now I have checked to be sure; you need a valid passport at least with a validity of 3 months.
&quot;Valid travel document (passport) (It should be valid at least three months longer than the expiry date of the requested visa&quot; from e-consulate web site. I also figured out that one can apply for a visa online.

There are some countries in Europe can enter Turkey without passport but just an ID.

I can not believe how a travel agent can say up to 5 years expired passports are OK. If so why they validate a passport?

Anyway here is the link: http://www.e-konsolosluk.net/InfoNot...em.aspx?ID=300

I am atravel agent as well but would not comment anything like that without checking the reality....

Happy travelling,

Murat

It is possible to travel to Bermuda using an expired passport (up to 5yrs I believe) as proof of US citizenship.

Perhaps that's where the OP or TA first heard the idea. Turkey is not Bermuda, however.

Here's a list of documentation requirements for US Citizens entering foreign countries.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/...ures_1229.html

Is is also possible to get a passport renewed sooner rather than later but you'll have to travel to do it apparently.

If you can appear at a regional passport office in US (and by appear I mean show up before dawn) you may be able to get your renewal right away - in person.

And noting that the OP posted almost 3 weeks ago, this may all be moot!