Will a DUI Stop Me From Getting a Passport?

When people are arrested for DUI, they know that a conviction can easily mean upwards of $1,000 in fines, community service, imprisonment for up to 9 months, and up to a year license revocation – and that’s all just for a first offense.

With Florida’s harsh DUI penalties, it’s not surprising why someone who wishes to travel outside of the U.S. for work or pleasure might worry how a DUI might affect their ability to get a passport.

Will a conviction for DUImake it so you can’t get a U.S. passport? Typically, a person’s passport privileges are not automatically revoked once someone is convicted of driving under the influence, even if they were convicted of a felony DUI.

While most people won’t be denied a passport because of a DUI conviction, it doesn’t mean that a DUI can’t technically block someone from getting a passport. For instance, it is possible for someone to be forbidden from getting a passport in the following circumstances:

• The defendant is considered to be a flight risk.
• They defendant is facing a felony-related subpoena.
• As a condition of probation or parole.

In the above scenarios, the court can revoke a defendant’s passport privileges, but this is more the exception than the rule.

You Could Face Restrictions When Travelling

The majority of DUI defendants don’t have any problems applying for a passport, however, they can face restrictions when travelling to certain countries. For example, Canada maintains the right to deny entry to noncitizens who have any criminal record, even for a simple DUI.

Even if you are able to obtain a U.S. passport, as long as you have a DUI conviction on your record, Canada may not let you in to the country; Mexico may not let you in either.

If you are convicted of a felony DUI, and you want to travel to Canada or Mexico via ship, you won’t be allowed to get off the boat. In effect, getting a U.S. passport may be easy, but you may not be let in to certain countries.

Contact my firm to fight your DUI charges, or if you have further questions about travelling outside of the U.S. with a DUI.