going on a trip to Bonaire with my grand daughter who is 6. We are going the week of February 16,2019. Her parents just looked and found her passport is due to expire on March,2019. Should they renew it or can we get away with it? Just worried with the government shut down we may run into trouble there too. Any help would be great.

Usually a passport needs to be valid for six months after entry for many countries. You need to check that for Bonaire. I know my passport needs to be but I am not American. Are the parents travelling as well? If not, check requirements for taking a minor to Bonaire eg letter of consent and/or travel permit.

I had my passport renewed in a matter of days at a passport agency in Colorado. Booked an emergency appointment online, had to show proof of travel within two weeks.

I'd think you have sufficient time to renew via mail (I'd pay for expedited service), but I'm less confident of that with the current situation.

read section on Passport. I sure wouldn't risk that, you are entering a country with a passport that is going to expire in just a couple weeks? Also, you aren't even her parents, hope you have that in order as to prove your relationship. It may not be strictly necessary, but I think you should have a notarized travel letter of premission to travel with your grandchild and it should be signed by both parents. In fact, I think a child may not need a passport for entry to Bonaire if you have the birth certificate with you, but I think you need a passport to get back into the US, anyway. Not sure of the details on that.

Bonaire Entry Requirements

A child definitely needs a passport to travel to Bonaire. The below page does not state that US passports need to be valid for 6 months after entry, only that it is valid for the duration of stay. Double check with the Dutch consulate.

https://travel.state.gov/content/tra...usandSaba.html

I don't think Bonaire would require the 6 month passport validity despite what some of the third-party websites state.

However the issue is likely to be whether the airline (assuming you're flying) is going to board you.

Fairly recent Tripadvisor post on the same topic.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopi...e-Bonaire.html

My question . . . why on earth wouldn't they renew it now? There is enough time (even without expedited service but expediting would be worth it if you want the peace of mind).

As mlgb says, even assuming Bonaire allows it, the airline will be your first hurdle.

It's not just Bonaire and the US. The airline may randomly in belief or in error be more strict than either place. So check with the airline in addition so some martinet at the gate won't ruin everything. Having the airline's specific ruling for you in writing so your trip so you can show it at the gate if worst comes to worst.

They are going to get it renewed. Just hoping with.the shut downs it will get here in time. we were just wondering.

The airline is not a hurdle. Most airlines would use something like the below link which is TIMATIC (Travel Information Manual). Airlines don't make up immigration rules nor apply stricter ones than required. And the martinet at the gate is so due to high penalties airlines face if the airline carries them without correct documentation. If there was an issue with documentation, it would be found before the gate, probably at bag drop or during online checkin where you input passport details. Bear in mind requirements for getting back to the US as well as getting to Bonaire.

https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/

This link tells you requirements for US citizens and does not state a 6 month validity requirement.

https://english.rijksdienstcn.com/im...n/tourist-stay

It would worry me more that the original passport wouldn't be returned in time with the shutdown. But sounds like that ship has sailed.

Make sure she also has travel insurance, including medical evacuation, and you are authorized to get medical care for her should anything happen. Like all insurance, you hope you never need it, but when you do, you are glad to have it.

US Passport renewals are being processed even with tne govt shutdown.