SuzieTrue

DD's passport will expire in Nov. 2007. She turns 18 in August. I know she will get a ten year passport either way, but is there more hassle doing it now, ex. needing both parents present? She is heading off to college in late August and has no need for the passport, but I don't want to let it lapse then have a problem later.
She does plan on doing a semester abroad at some point during college.

Thanks!

dfr4848

I'd renew now. You're right - you don't want to let it expire and it would be easier while she's still at home. Besides, something may come up unexpectedly and you wouldn't want to be caught in a bind. I'm unclear what you mean by "needing both parents present". If she already has one, you can renew via mail (with new photo) and I'm not aware that you need to be present. At least we didn't have to be when our DD renewed hers. (That was a couple of years ago, and I didn't think the rules changed since then but I could be wrong).

beckytx

I don't see why you would have any problems waiting til fall, especially if there are no overseas trips planned her freshman year. It was always easier to run errands like that in college, when you could go at random times of day between classes.

beckytx

Okay, well I have never had a passport laspe, so maybe I'm not aware of the hassle involved. So maybe the other poster is right, I don't know. =)

patg

Letting it lapse means she'll have to go through the whole process again, as though applying for a new passport. The fee is higher, also. Have her renew after her birthday. It's one more chore before college, just add it to the list!

JJ5

If I remember correctly there is also a "lapse" time after the passport has expired by date. In other words, it doesn't "lapse" re the renewal process for some months, six I think, until after the actual date on the passport. After THAT period, it has to be done as if a first time basis.

So it probably would not lapse anyway, regardless of which you choose.

MonicaRichards

Actually, with a minor both parents need to be present upon renewal or a notarized form from the non-present parent needs to be obtained. It's to prevent non-custodial parents from taking children out of the country.

Samsaf

All three of our children got their passports before they turned 18. In all cases, either I OR my husband (but not both) was present when we applied for the passports(this is in Georgia).

patg

JJ5-
When my husband let his lapse by just a couple of weeks, I was told that "even one day is too much." I'm sure policies have changed greatly in the past few years.

JJ5

I didn't know that patg, and I just did mine last year. You'd think they'd want to make things easier now with the numbers and places that presently require them, instead of harder. Because doing the entire from scratch is more time consuming and more money than renewing.

JJ5

I bet they are stricter on all now. My son just had his kids under 10 get theirs and both parents had to be present in IL.

Pausanias

Almost all the information here is incorrect. (The info about kids under 14 is pretty close.) I'd suggest you look at the Passport Office website.

Grcxx3

I think there is some rule about kids being under a certain age needing BOTH parents present for new applications and renewals. Not sure if that age is 18, 16 or 14......

We had our boys' passports renewed (at the time 11 and 13) 2 years ago and we BOTH had to be present. Our younger son (now 13) desperately needs more pages added to his passport but we've put if off for 2 months because we BOTH have to be present to do that.

Best to check with a local passport office to get their recommendation.

J62

This is my understanding of the process, having just gone through it with kids myself.

Since she got her passport as a 13 year old there is no such thing as a renewal. If you apply today or in the fall it will be considered a new application.

Either way she will need to go to post office or passport office to submit the application. I would think it would be far easier for her to go by herself as an 18 year old, as long as she has all the documentation she needs.

SuzieTrue

This is what I love about Fodor's, the personal experiences.

I will probably have DD go just after her birthday but before heading off to college for that new passport. Last time we got passports, DH, DS, DD and I were all getting them so wasn't a problem about having both parents sign.

Thanks everyone!

angethereader

The problem with the under 18 passport is it's only good for 5 years, rather than 10. I'd wait.

J62

incorrect

passport issued to anyone 16+ is valid for 10yrs

http://travel.state.gov/passport/fri...741.html#valid

Felschurch

Please don't listen here for facts. Go to the passport site!! For example I didn't know until this week that you could do the processing at our local county courthouse.

You can renew by mail if: Your most recent passport is available to submit and it is not damaged; you received the passport within the past 15 years; you were over age 16 when it was issued; you still have the same name, or can legally document your name change

http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

SuzieTrue

DD's passport expires in November 2007. She was 13 when she received it. We did our original application at the county clerks office. Our local post office can now also do the paperwork. I will have DD do whatever is needed after her birthday but before she leaves for college.