Canada - US citizen returning to US from Canada with expired passport

Is this possible?

I have:
-- expired US passport
-- birth certificate
-- social security card
-- California ID (not an enhanced driver's license)

I flew on WestJet to Vancouver, but they only let me board because I was willing to convert my round-trip ticket to a one-way (i.e. the ticketing agent made a note on the computer). Upon arrival, I was able to make it through Canadian customs no problem. I then talked to an agent at the Nexus counter at YVR who assured me that they wouldn't bar me entry back into the US, but I should show up a good three hours before my flight so that I can be cleared.

Does this sound right? I have proof of identification and proof of citizenship, just not a current passport. I'm guessing WestJet's ticketing counter will balk at the note on my ticket and will deny me boarding, so how do I get them to talk to customs on my behalf so I can get cleared? Or should I start by talking to customs and hope they'll intercede with WestJet?

Many thanks in advance for any advice!

US Customs and Immigration cannot deny entry to a US citizen... that doesn't mean they can't make it painful.

Is this possible?

I have:
-- expired US passport
-- birth certificate
-- social security card
-- California ID (not an enhanced driver's license)

I flew on WestJet to Vancouver, but they only let me board because I was willing to convert my round-trip ticket to a one-way (i.e. the ticketing agent made a note on the computer). Upon arrival, I was able to make it through Canadian customs no problem. I then talked to an agent at the Nexus counter at YVR who assured me that they wouldn't bar me entry back into the US, but I should show up a good three hours before my flight so that I can be cleared.

Does this sound right? I have proof of identification and proof of citizenship, just not a current passport. I'm guessing WestJet's ticketing counter will balk at the note on my ticket and will deny me boarding, so how do I get them to talk to customs on my behalf so I can get cleared? Or should I start by talking to customs and hope they'll intercede with WestJet?

Many thanks in advance for any advice!
Your problem will be with the carrier, not US authorities. You can't actually be denied entry as a citizen, it can just take a long time. However, without proper documents, the carrier will likely deny you boarding.

If you want to put this behind you, go to the US Consulate and obtain a temporary travel doc., and then put getting a new passport at the top of your list when you get home.

As Often1 said, head to the consulate on Monday.

If that's not an option, I would try crossing at a land border and presenting yourself to US Customs that way.

As others have said, the issue is that WestJet (or any other carrier) may not issue you a boarding pass without the correct documentation.

They let you into Canada because you don't require a passport to enter Canada, just proof of citizenship.

You can take public transit to White Rock, then from there take a taxi to the Peace Arch border crossing and walk across. Once you're across, the nearest airport is Bellingham (BLI) with service with Allegiant, Alaska and Frontier.

Thanks everyone for the advice; I was able to make it through!

After talking to the consulate, border patrol, and the airline, I just decided to chance it. Was advised to come in three hours early, so that's what I did. First step was to speak to the on-duty CBP officer, who confirmed that I was an American citizen and that they wouldn't deny me entry, but said he no control over whether the airline denied me passage.

Went to the ticketing counter, where the agent made several calls to several people before telling me that the mistake was on the outbound flight, where I shouldn't have been allowed to board -- and since CBP would for sure let me back into my home country, they were confident that they wouldn't get fined, so they issued me a boarding pass.

Got flagged at US immigration, where I had to go to secondary evaluation and get a stern lecture or two... they threatened me with a fine, but decided to waive it because the airline had consulted them first. Took me about two hours of negotiation, but I was allowed to fly home! But of course, I won't be allowed to do this again and now I've got notes and warnings all over.

Thanks again for the advice I got here; thought I'd share my tale for the next person in a similar predicament.

Glad to hear you made it - And thanks for following up. So many people post questions and then you never hear from them again.

the agent made several calls to several people before telling me that the mistake was on the outbound flight, where I shouldn't have been allowed to board

It was also good you were flying Westjet - Their employees tend to be more focused on customer service than competing airlines.

If you have the time it might be worthwhile dropping Westjet a line thanking them for being helpful.

It is a strange system where a passport is valid as proof of citizenship one day and the next day at expiration it is not. A reasonable person would be able to use some judgement. The passport was not revoked and that could be checked. The renewal period is arbitrary. As a proof of citizenship, it remains informative. However...a passport can be renewed very quickly - even on an emergency basis, so what's the point of going through all the hassle? And now, the OP winds up with file notations that probably mean that every future border crossing will involve detailed inspections and questions.

It is a strange system where a passport is valid as proof of citizenship one day and the next day at expiration it is not.

That's why a lot of countries won't let someone (not just a US citizen) enter a country if there's less than 6 months left on a passport (Jamaica is one that comes to mind). I guess they want to make sure there's a lot of wiggle room just in case.

I think a big part of Westjet allowing this is that Vancouver is a pre-clearance airport for the USA. If the OP had to clear immigaration in the States I think the airlines decision would have been different.