Passport expiring less than 6 months? Help?
 

I just looked, my Husband's passport is expiring in Feb 2010, Our trip is Sep. 22nd - I normally would have time, but we need it for a trip in August too. How big of a issue is that?
Thank you!!

My son went to Europe last year and his passport expired about 50 days after his return. No problems. I leave for Italy September 5 and return September 24 and mine expires in Feb. 2010

I don't get the problem. You're not staying out of the country until February, are you? You have a valid passport.

I think it depends on where you are going. I have only been warned of it by an airline in Asia .. in fact, we have travelled on our passports with only a couple months' time left before I ever was aware of this "rule/suggestion".. and we never had a problem between the USA and Europe.

That's not to say it may have become a bigger issue now.

I really don't understand it all. When a document is valid, why do we need to re-issue them 6 months in advance?

I have never taken the time to read up on any of this. If I hadn't read about the concern here I would never have known.

To get visas to Russia recently our passports needed more than 6 months validity.

Some airlines in Asia will not let you book online if the passport date is less than 6 months.. or at least they warn you that you may not be able to travel on that flight if you go with that passport.

I got so curious I did a google search. It appears that in Europe, only Switzerland and Denmark have some kind of restriction:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13342877/

"American citizens traveling for business or tourism are not required to have a visa for this initial entry into the Schengen area, but must have a passport valid three months beyond the proposed stay. (For a two week business trip, the passport must be valid for four months, for a two month holiday the passport must be valid for five months, for example.)"
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p.../cis_4361.html

Hmmmm.

thanks for the links.

I also recommend you check with your airline. They are the only ones who will check your passport departing the US, and can refuse you transport if your passport doesn't meet the validity rules for your destination. (or their interpretation of the rules)

t

I don't understand the problem - unless by 'August trip' you mean one departing in less than 7 days on August 1. Get it renewed now - you might need or want to use an expeditor to do it if time is really tight.

It took ten days for me to get mine renewed using 'normal' procedures last year - that's from the time I mailed it to them to when I got it back.

Yes, you would think that if it 'expired' in February 2010, it should be valid for travel in September 2009. One of the mysteries of the world, I guess...

Do NOT rely on the airline to tell you whether or not your passport is valid for long enough after your trip is over...

I think the issue is that they do need to use it this August, and then their trip is Sept. 22nd. That is a problem if the August trip is near the end of August, especially. I guess an expediter is a good idea to get it by the Sept trip.

I've used one that had less then 6 months to expire, but not three. Depends on the country. YOu can check with both the airline and definitely the country where you are going, as they are the ones who decide whether to let you in or send you back where you came from (and you will pay for that, probably quite a lot).

That is the issue, our trip is Aug.20th - and even to expedite the website says allow 3-4 weeks. Sounds like it very likely could be much faster, but would you want to risk it and not go on our Caribbean Cruise in August because our Passport did not arrive? I think I'm better off having one in hand... Sounds like 3 months is the real worry (for France). I think we are OK, but will get it renewed the min we get home. If we get home :-)
Thank you for all the input and information. I will report!

I sure wish I would have checked a month ago. ARG.

Which web site says 3-4 weeks? It has always been my understanding that if you Fed Ex your passport both ways it will come back in 2 weeks, in which case you have plenty of time.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought land and sea crossings were still allowed with birth certificate and photo ID. If that's the case you don't need your passport for the cruise. But once again I'm not sure if that's still allowed, does anyone know?

I think you may want to look into the option of going to a passport office, I would at least double check what the policies are for where you are traveling-I am pretty sure the restrictions have gotten much more strict for The Caribbean (but certainly not an expert). I am pretty sure this is the quickest turnaround (and likely most expensive). I just renewed mine in June and the website said 4-6 weeks but it took around 3 (just one person's experience).

What's the problem? You only need three months, not six, for Frace-- is your Sept trip long enough to extend into November?

Ask your congresman for help.