Passport Angst
 

I have probably been spending too much time on travel forums. We will be in Europe for 6 weeks in the fall, mostly in Italy. Departing Italy for the Uk Oct. 30 and flying from the UK back to the US on Oct. 31. My passport expires 3.5 months later, in late February.

I have read what I can find. the State Department travel website says that Schengen countries require a passport be valid for 3 months after departure. Apparently some countries have rules that make it much less, such as Germany which says a passport is valid for stays there until the date of expiration. I cannot find the rule for Italy if there is a separate one, but under the general Schengen rule I am OK.

So is there any good reason to renew my passport before the trip? On another travel board some suggested I should renew " just in case.". In case of what? Am I actually risking anything by traveling on my current passport? I really do not want to renew now If I don't have to. Not lazy; I just like the photo on my current one and hate the photo I had taken when I thought I might need a new one. Plus I would have to go in and change all the information on my airline tickets. So part vanity and part convenience.

So there is my question: is there any good reason to renew now? Do I risk anything if I don't? Are the people who say I should renew just alarmists, or do they know something I don't?

I always renew my passport when there is 6 or 7 months validity left.

>>" just in case.". In case of what? <<

If we knew, it wouldn't be 'just in case'. But there could be lots of reasons. A chance to go on a last minute trip. An emergency trip of some sort, you win a trip in a raffle or jackpot, . . .

If you don't like the new photo, have another one taken. That seems simple enough.

So part vanity and part convenience.

Ummmm. Vanity: The picture has to look like you, not like you ten years ago.

Convenience: how convenient is it going to be if you get held up by an airline rep who says your passport isn't valid for the length of time required?

Really, just get the passport renewed.

Why do you need to change the info on your airline tickets if you get a new passport? Surely you only need to give them your name as stated in your passport, not the number etc?

I know for ESTA we Europeans have to jump through such hoops, but that has nothing to do with the airline ticket.

Get a new photo taken if you really hate the new one, but really does it matter? Who looks at that photo apart from the odd immigration official. My passport photo is grim beyond words, but it works so I don't care.

Renew your passport now, whilst you don't need it. Should anything happen during your visit to Europe you could be left with an expired passport and lots more problems.

Hetismij2---Maybe it is just for Americans, but British Airways requires Advance Passenger Information including passport number and expiration date. It is a pain to fill it in as half the time the website doesn't work.

It isn't just that I am now much older in the photo. I have plenty of recent photos I like, from our travels this past summer, say. But the guy taking the passport photo ( for $15) said I could not smile and that is why it is so horrible. It won't do any good to have it retaken (for another $15) if they require that. And I know we " could" take it ourselves with digital camera but that opens a whole new can of worm issues.

I always have to fill on the advanced passenger info for BA - it takes no more than 5 mins for me to do both hubby and myself. Would take less to just go in and change the passport number.

And my passport picture is horrible hahaha I just dont care - no one really sees it.

I'd just go ahead and renew mine. Seems like less of a hassle than if there was an issue at the airport.

Enzian, I'd forgotten about that for non EU passengers, my apologies. However I'm sure it is only a matter of minutes work to change it.
No-one is allowed to smile on a passport photo. The UK is incredibly strict on everything to do with the photo, and will reject an application if the photo isn't exactly right. Not sure how strict the US are on this point but honestly, does it matter? Better to get the new passport now, while you have time than find out at the airport they won't allow you to fly.
Or even worse have the chance to travel again when you get back, and be unable to do so as you need to to renew your passport!

Get it done, one less thing to fret about. Go on, you know you want to :).

I am of the theory that a pasport picture SHOULD look bad. Then if I get to the airport exhaused and grubby, I'll match.

I've always had to fill out information re: passport and ID on any for the several airlines I've flown to Europe. Why risk the hassle of being "over the limit"?? Just do it!!!

Just in case:

I was hired for a new job in early summer. Originally I was supposed to work on accounts in the US and I delayed renewing y passport until the fall, thinking it would be faster then.

Unexpectedly the woman working on an international business had problems with her pregnancy and had to stop working immediately (she was only in 4th month) and they threw me into her spot. I had a meeting in Switz 5 days later. So had to get a Passport overnight.

That's why just in case to make sure you always have your up to date with time on it.

I'd probably go ahead and renew as well. Do it now before the passport agency gets busy with people getting passports for summer travel. Are you a member of AAA? I had my last passport photo taken at no cost.

All airlines require passport info if you travel internationally and not just to Europe. If you leave the borders of the U.S. you have to supply the information. The information is likely stored so you'll only need to supply the new passport number and expiration date.

OK, so when did the "no smile" rule take effect? My last 2 passports (1994 and 2004) have smiles.

Sharona, thanks for the mention of AAA. I am a member and will be going there for an IDL so could try the photo again there. And I'll try practicing "no smile" faces that don't look as grumpy as the one I have now.

Quite a while back I think, I think 2007 for Canada...

No reason to renew before you go. Just do it when you get home.

Schengen countries: You'll only have to show your passport once, 4 months before it expires, upon arrival in Italy
UK: passport must be valid for the intended length of the stay