I am planning my honeymoon next year which will be for two weeks in April. My current passport expires on May 18th, and my plan was to wait until then to renew it with my change of name.

However, my friend said that some countries wont allow me to travel across borders with a passport that is "near" expiration. Is this true? We are going to Japan for part of the honeymoon, but also to US for the wedding and back through Denmark and Switzerland where we live. Do I have to get a new one before then, and ALSO after to change my name? Please advise!

Most countries require that you have 6 months remaining on your passport. I'm afraid you may very well have to pay twice for your passport. Check with your local post office- (that's where we have passport applications go through)They may be able to give you the information you need to know. Or check the State Dept. website.

Good luck and congratulations!

heymo is right, most Asian countries require 6 months validity on your passport. You must have a new passport before you go. Are you plane tickets going to be in your married name or your current name? Your plane tickets and passport must match exactly. You may need to buy your tickets and have your passport in your current name for your trip.

It might be best to go the the passport office in your local post office.

Get your new passport now or you will have trouble in Asia for the 6 month rule everyone refers to. Some countries are 3 months...but you don't have that either.

Book your tickets in the name on your passport now, and after your honeymoon it's simple to get an amendment for your name, no need to get a new passport again.

When I got married, my passport was ammended - no worries.

I believe that amendments are no longer done.

yes and no......see here

http://tinyurl.com/8wrmz

Aloha!

I experienced the exact same thing when I married. With a new name, I thought I'd just wait to get the new passport.

Well, coincidentally, we too went to Japan on our honeymoon and I strongly recommend you get your new passport rolling and I think you should have no trouble changing names after your wedding.

Check with the post office or wherever your local office is for issuing passports.

Ask three different people at the passport office and hope they all give the same response. Sometimes it's 'multiple choice' responses when dealing with the bureaucracy!!!

Good luck and Congratuations!!!!

Japan was a unique experience I'll never forget.

Congratulations. Keep your maiden name.