Sorry I didn't see this earlier. There could be another way around this without going through the time and expense of getting a passport renewed. Many Department of Motor Vehicle offices issue ID cards that are accepted as state-issued photo ID's. My 80-year-old mother-in-law has one. These should be easily obtained at your local DMV office. The expired passport could be used for identification to get the ID. A driver's license and/or a passport are not required to travel on planes within the US. But I do feel you should have a passport if there's the slightest chance you may travel outside the US. Tom.