My husband is traveling on business to Denmark. He is returning the 24th and his passport expires on the 28th. Will he be allowed to leave the US with passport shortly expiring? Only other problem I could see is if for some reason he should get stuck over there - like another 9/11 incident or possibly horrible weather. What do you think? Should I encourage him to go to SF with his ticket and renew before going?

he'll likely be able to LEAVE the USA, but likely won't be able to ENTER Denmark.

Most countries require a passport to be good for at least 3 month, and sometimes 6 months, for entry.

What Janis said.

He'll probably need to check into what he needs to do to get an expedited passport. It's expensive, but it'll work. Sure beats getting turned around at the Copenhagen airport.

Do a search on this site about "expedited passport" and you'll find plenty of information. Just check the dates for the most current info. Also, call your passport office first thing tomorrow.

Jules

He needs to phone the airline and see if he will be allowed to board the plane. Most countries require three to six months remaining on passport for entry. The airlines are now required not to board anyone who will not be allowed entry where they land - and they likely are conservative about this.

Then, he needs to contact the appropriate Danish authority to determine whether he will be allowed to enter.

He needs to get the facts from those in authority, not opinions you collect on a travel forum.

Hi Ronda, from everything I have always understood it is the responsibility of the airline you are flying on from the US to make sure your passport is in proper order. If it is not they will not allow you to board the plane.

I don't know about Denmark but I know that Italy requires that your passport
be good for six months pass your trip.

What month is he travelling. Do you mean November??? Tomorrow is the 14th. He needs to go to the nearest Post Office that has the passport forms. Fill them out, mail them in with his expiring passport along for the check for the fees. He will want to have this renewal on the "fast track"..forget the proper name, I am tired, if his trip is this November. That is somewhere around $65.00 over and above the renwal fee. He will need to show the date of his flight for this "rushed passport".

The passport office in SF is different then it use to be, you need an appointment and I am not sure they will give you one for a renwal passport anymore, but you could call them..but my experience is you just get a voice message and have to wait for them to call back, if they ever do.

Go to the website for the passport office which is http://www.travel.state.gov. for accurate information including the nearest postoffice that has the passport forms (not all post office do).

Good luck in getting this all worked out. Let us know!

The website for Denmark is:www.denmark.org...that should answer your question regarding Denmark's requirements Ronda.

Per the Danish gov't immigration website

"What documents will be required?

Passport valid for 3 months after the last day of stay required by all except the following:

(a)1. nationals of Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden in possession of identification papers (eg driver’s licence or identity card) provided travelling entirely within Scandinavia;

(b) 1. nationals of other EU countries holding a valid national ID card and holders of a Gibraltar Identity Card issued to British Citizens or British Dependent Citizens for tourist visits of up to 3 months."

"he'll likely be able to LEAVE the USA, but likely won't be able to ENTER Denmark."

This is probably untrue. Let's get real. The reason for the passport requirement is so that third worlders can't enter, stay permenantly and be undeportable because they have no passport. If you are a middle class westerner, especialy with a return ticket, odds are that they won't give you any problems. I've travelled on a passport that expired in less than the required time and never got more than a mumble about it expiring soon.

There is no doubt, however, that there is some risk since the decision is up to the individual immigration officer/airline check in person. So you can't be sure.

Of course he won't be turned back at Denmark, because he'll never be allowed on the plane in the US. But if by chance he gets by the desk agent and security, he will not be allowed to enter Denmark.

Imhornet, what an incredibly offensive answer. Janis is right, you are wrong.

Imhornet, you are misinformed, or your opinion is not based on experience. My husband was traveling to El Salvador on a mission trip and his passport would have expired a few weeks after he returned. A call to the State Department confirmed, however, that most countries require a passport to be valid at least for three months before and after the visit. He renewed his before he left with an expedited service in SF. There's also one near Washington, D.C.

Ronda, I suggest your husband renew his passport immediately. He <i>can</i> get a temporary passport issued at the consulate of whatever country he is in, but that is (since 911) a monumental task. It was difficult even in 1990 when my husband had to travel unexpectedly to Germany to check on a family member who fell ill whilst on vacation. It would be a hundred times harder now.

Hi Ronda,

Here is the information you need on how to renew a passport on an &quot;expedited&quot; basis.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/get...first_831.html

the airline suffers financially if the passenger is allowed to travel without a passport that meets all requirements of the destination country. therefore, they will be strict and will not take a chance...regardless of the economic status of the traveler.

Sorry folks, I'm with <b>Imhornet</b> on this one. Whether the OP wants to chance it, it's another story, but from experience, the OP would not have any difficulty entering Denmark with a still VALID passport.
UK will allow entry for US passport holders that are expired, as long as it's no more than 6 months expired.
Most western European countries do not &quot;worry&quot; too much about US passport holders. What Imhornet said, is pretty much true. As a guideline they use the 3-6 month validily for all, but basically it only applies to anybody that needs a visa to enter the country.

Personally, I would stick to the published laws and regulations involved and ignore the obvious or implied xenophobia which will do absolutely nothing to remedy your husband's situation.

Britain will allow Americans - or any non-visa national - in with a passport expiring today if you're on a flight out today. We don't have a rule about minimum passport validity for non-visa nationals

But what's that got to do with Denmark?

Janisj has quoted the Danish rules. To jabber on about Britain's policies is asinine.

To assume Denmark applies its rules in a racist manner is both asinine and offensive.

To me, it boils down to one question: Why take a chance?

I have a personal experience with Denmark. My passport was 4 days away from expiration when I entered Denmark for a 2 week stay. Other than a quick comment from the immigration officer that I should look into renewing it upon my return to the States, I was welcomed with open arms.

The validity question does come into play when the passport holder is required to obtain a visa. This has NOTHING to do with racism. It's the fact of life. Since US passport holders do not need a visa to enter Denmark, it's never a problem as long as the passport is still valid upon entry.

I mentioned the UK part only as an example, and it is very true. They don't like it and they may take their time to confirm your info before allowing entry, but it is very real.

I respect AAFF's personal experience. But on the chance that something has changed since AAFF's trip, I would still renew. You have to renew anyway, so why take an unnecessary risk?

I agree with you <b>P_M</b> and if it makes the OP or her husband feel better, by all means, renew it before the trip.

All I was disputing was the fact that some here said that the OP's husband won't be allowed to enter Denmark. It's simply not true.