The U.S. State Department issued a direct reminder to American travelers renewing passports online. In a recent Facebook post, officials explained that the old passport becomes automatically canceled upon submission of the application. It cannot be used for international travel, even if the new passport has not yet arrived in the mail.

This policy has always formed part of the renewal process. It often catches applicants off guard when they learn their current passport loses validity right away. One case reported this month involved an American traveler headed to Canada. The person had just submitted an online renewal application. The confirmation showed the old passport — still valid until 2027 — no longer worked for international travel. The traveler faced uncertainty at the border after a planned road trip.

Many others describe similar experiences on social media and forums. They start the renewal process expecting to keep using their passport for upcoming trips, only to find it impedes travel despite the expiration date. The online renewal system lets eligible applicants keep their physical old passport. They do not mail it in. Authorities invalidate it in the system the moment the application is submitted.

The department directs people to the official site at travel.state.gov to complete renewals. Officials also advise against planning international travel for at least six weeks after submission under routine processing. This guidance matters for Americans who visit Costa Rica. The country requires a valid passport for entry. Travelers in the renewal process should check their documents and timing before making plans.