Short answer: You must have a valid passport to apply for Global Entry and to complete your in-person interview. If your passport is currently being renewed, you generally should wait until you have your new passport in hand before submitting your Global Entry application, so that the passport number and details you enter match the document you'll present at the interview. If your current passport is still valid for at least six months (or as required by CBP), you can apply now and use that passport; if it will expire before your interview or soon after, it's usually better to renew first, then apply.
Applying with an expiring or soon-to-expire passport can create mismatches: the application may be tied to the old passport number, but by the time you get conditional approval and an interview slot (which can take months), you may have a new passport. Updating passport info in the Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) portal is possible, but starting with the passport you'll use at the interview avoids confusion and delays.
In this guide
Why a Valid Passport Is Required
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requires a valid U.S. passport (or other approved citizenship/identity document) to apply for Global Entry and to complete your enrollment interview. The passport number and details you provide in the application are used for background checks and must match the document you present at the interview. Using an expired passport or one that doesn't match your application can delay or complicate your interview. For a full list of what to bring, see What Documents Actually Matter for Global Entry Interviews?
If Your Renewal Is Pending
If you've already submitted a passport renewal and are waiting for the new passport:
- Wait to apply for Global Entry until you have the new passport. Then enter the new passport number and details in your Global Entry application. That way your application and interview are aligned with the document you'll use for travel.
- If you already applied with an old passport and then renewed: Log into the TTP portal and update your passport information to match your new passport. Bring the new passport to your interview. CBP will verify the document matches the updated application.
If Your Passport Is Expiring Soon
If your passport is still valid but will expire within the next several months:
- Renew first, then apply. This is the cleanest approach: you apply and interview with the same passport you'll use for the full validity of your Global Entry membership.
- If you apply with an expiring passport: You may get conditional approval, but by the time you secure an interview (which can take months at busy centers—see The Most Overbooked Global Entry Centers in 2026), your passport might have expired or be close to expiring. You'd then need to renew and update the portal before the interview. Renewing first avoids that extra step.
Updating Passport Info After Renewal
If you applied with passport A and later renewed to passport B before your interview:
- Log into the TTP portal.
- Find the section for your application or membership and update the passport number and expiration date to match your new passport.
- Save the changes.
- Bring your new passport (and any other required documents) to your interview. The officer will verify it matches the updated application.
Keeping your application and documents in sync reduces the chance of delays or being turned away at the interview.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my expired passport and renewal receipt to apply?
No. You need a valid passport to apply and to complete the interview. The renewal receipt does not substitute for a valid passport in the Global Entry process.
How long does passport renewal take?
Processing times vary (e.g., several weeks to a few months for routine service). Check the State Department's current processing times and plan your Global Entry application around when you expect to have your new passport.
I'm a green card holder. Does the same apply?
Green card holders and other non–U.S. citizens must present the required documents (e.g., permanent resident card, passport from country of citizenship) as specified by CBP. The same principle applies: use the valid document you'll have at the time of your interview. See Global Entry for Non-U.S. Citizens: What's Different? for more.
✅ Key Takeaway
You need a valid passport to apply and to complete your Global Entry interview. If your passport is being renewed, wait until you have the new passport before applying, or update the TTP portal with your new passport details and bring that passport to your interview.