I am leaving for a week in London on March 8th and just saw a potentially disturbing sentence regarding passports in one of my guide books . It stated that your passport must be valid for six months from the date of entry (that statement is also in one other book I have on Britain, but not in a third). My passport expires in June of this year meaning that it will only be valid for three months from my date of entry (of course I'll be home long before it expires).
I have been to the official British touist site and it simply states that a valid passport is required.
Does anyone know for certain if I need to try to have my passport renewed before my trip?
Any expert advice will be appreciated!

Hi jm,

This has been a matter of concern in the past.

It seems to be the case that most countries only want your passport valid for 90 days, even though their regulations might say six months.

You ought to call the local British consulate to make sure.

Thanks, Ira. I sent an e-mail to the British Consulate this morning. I'll follow up with a phone call on Monday.
Thanks for the advice!

My pleasure, JM

Hi, My brand new U.S.passport was issued Febr. 15, 2003 and I left for England/Ireland on April 19 and returned May 19, 2003. No problem anywhere with the length of time I had it.

The question concerns how long the passport will remain valid AFTER your entry, not how long you have held it prior to your entry.

jamrion-

Even if you have to renew your passport, you still have plenty of time to do so. You just have to pay for the Expedited Service (extra $60) for your application. This is assuming you live in or close by a big city.
http://travel.state.gov/passport_services.html

I went to London last October with less than 6 months left on my passport. I called the British Consultate and they told me it would be fine (and it was).

Hi:

I am not sure about London, but I just tried to get a Visa for China. My Passport had 2 Months to go and the consulate refused to issue the visa!
I am scrambling now to get an express service since I need to leave next week!
6 Months was written on the small print in the consulate office wall!
John

Thank you, jame. I had hoped that what you experienced would be the case - I'll still double check with the Consulate.
Thanks again.

The official British position is that your passport must be valid for the length of your intended stay in the UK, although most visitors automatically get 6 months on entry. But as you are on a fixed itinerary, you shouldn't have any problem. I'm sure the consulate will say the same.

In this circumstance in Italy ( and they do check passports for this sometimes on entry) they ask to see your return air ticket to ensure you are booked to return prior to the expiry.

Is this a U.S. issue or rather a concern of the country one is visiting? In my case, I plan to return from France on April 7 and my passport expires on May 1. Should I be concerned?

Hopefully it doesn't depend on the individual checking your passports and on a whim decides to make an issue of your passport expiration.
But, this did happen to my brother in law, he had a passport which was near expiration and he was rejected entry at an airport either in France or Italy I forget which one. I just remember it was really a hassle for him, and sorry, I can't remember whether he came home or took care of it there.
I think you should try to get something in writing, you never know when an official wants to get official.

Since US passports are good for 10 years and not expensive to apply for or renew, am wondering why people don't keep them current (and a bit ahead)? Seems like cheap insurance to avoid the potential negative siutations posters are worrying about.

Also, even if you get someone at the consulate to say that the passport is fine, or you get someone on this thread to say it's fine, that doesn't mean that the customs official at the airport will say the same. I would get it renewed.

Well, I phoned the airline (United). The operator checked some document she claims it updated daily and said for France, an American passport need only be valid for the duration of the stay. I take it many of you would not be satisfied with this unofficial answer. I am not sure that I am.

Could someone please explain the issue -- why do certain countries require a passport to be valid for a period of time following the return from that country? Thank you.

What a waste of time to be asking this sort of question here when the obvious answer is to go ahead and renew it which accomplishes two things: the renewal and the elimination of worry. But I guess some folks will do anything to save a few bucks.

thanks jonjon. You've been most helpful.

Irego, you really should renew your passport. It makes very little difference what a UA customer service rep says on the phone. It is not up to her if you are allowed to enter France -- it is the choice of the French immigration official at CDG or where ever you land.

How would you feel - being put on the next flight home even tho' UA said you would be OK?