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What to do if…
you notice your passport is not signed and you are close to departure

Short answer

Sign your passport now, the correct way, before you check in — the U.S. Department of State says you must sign your full name in blue or black ink inside your passport.

Do not do these things

  • Do not leave it unsigned and hope nobody checks — an unsigned passport can cause delays or denial of boarding/entry.
  • Do not sign with pencil or erasable ink, and do not add marks elsewhere in the passport.
  • Do not “practice” signatures in the book or try to correct errors with crossing out, scratching, or correction fluid.
  • Do not sign a child’s passport the same way an adult signs — follow the child instructions exactly.

What to do now

  1. Find the signature line inside the passport book and sign it correctly.
    The U.S. Department of State guidance is to sign your full name in blue or black ink inside your passport.

  2. If the passport is for a child under 16, sign it the child way (not the adult way).
    On a child’s passport, a parent should:

    • Print the child’s full name on the signature line, and
    • Sign the parent’s name next to it, and
    • Write the relationship (for example: mother, father, guardian).

  3. Do this before check-in if at all possible.
    If you’re at home/hotel: sign it now and let the ink dry.
    If you’re already traveling: get a blue/black pen from your bag, a travel companion, the airline counter, or a shop and sign it before you hand your passport over.

  4. Quick sanity check to avoid a last-second problem at the desk.

    • Make sure you signed inside the passport book (not on the cover).
    • Make sure the signature is your normal signature (or the parent/child format above).
    • Make sure the ink is dry and the page is not smudged.

  5. If you already signed it incorrectly: stop and get official help.
    Don’t try to “fix” it in the book. If you have urgent travel (often within 14 days), use the U.S. Department of State’s Contact U.S. Passports guidance to reach the National Passport Information Center and understand your options. Be prepared that passport agencies/centers are appointment-only and availability is not guaranteed.

  6. Add time buffer and keep the passport easy to access.
    Even after signing, arrive earlier than usual and keep the passport handy in case staff want a second look.

What can wait

  • You do not need to replace your passport if you signed it correctly and it’s otherwise fine.
  • You do not need to do extra paperwork or visit an office if the only issue was a missing signature and you’ve now fixed it properly.
  • You do not need to make any decisions about disputes or escalation unless you discover you cannot correct the signature cleanly.

Important reassurance

People commonly miss this step, especially with a brand-new passport. In most cases, if you can sign it correctly before you check in, it’s a quick fix — the main risk is rushing and making a messy mistake inside the book.

Scope note

These are first steps for an unsigned U.S. passport close to departure. Separate issues (damage, wrong name, insufficient validity for your destination, visa problems) need different actions.

Important note

This guide is general information for immediate first steps and harm prevention, not legal advice. Airlines and border officials can apply destination-specific rules and make final boarding/entry decisions.

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