Our passports expire 7/22/01. We're flying to France 5/21/01. We just learned that if we'd shown up at the airport with our current passports, they wouldn't have let us on the plane! <BR> It seems that we have to renew our passports SIX MONTHS before our passports expire (so what is the point of having an "expiration" date?. <BR> At the post office, where we had our passport renewed, the clerk said it's "customs in certain countries" that require this 6 months in advance renewal. <BR> Is this common knowledge - something we failed to pick up on?

Don't know whether to say that I find this fascinating or unbelievable. <BR> <BR>I have certainly never heard this before. <BR>

You really ought to get out a bit more. Yes it`s common. The US does it too for foreign nationals. It`s to preclude the possibility of your passport expiring whilst you are travelling overseas. In Europe, say, you might get a visa for up to six months (or renew an initial three month visa). This means you must have a valid passport beyond the date of your original stay before leaving home. Yes, it is irritating!

But Jake, the question wasn't about planning to come home AFTER the passport expired. I think that the postal clerk over-stated the case - - if the return ticket is well before the expiration date, then what IS the point of the expiration date? <BR> <BR>It might make sense to renew "several" months before an upcoming expiration - - during a period when you feel pretty certain that you aren't going to be travleing out of the country - - but to imply that the passport is "dead" six months before its stated expiration date - - well, I just can't believe it! <BR> <BR>

Most European countries as I recall provide for up to a 90 day stay for North Americans and others, without a visa. Perhaps France is six months ... I've not checked today. In all cases I believe they require that upon entry to the country your passport have sufficient validity to cover that period. <BR> <BR>That doesn't imply a passport has 3 or six month's less usefulness. A passport is not a one-way document. It's required for entry, continued residence and exit. No problem at all returning home on the last day of its validity. <BR> <BR>Ed

From the U.S. State Department's home page: <BR>Some countries require that your U.S. passport be valid at least six months or longer beyond the dates of your trip. If your passport expires before the required validity, you will have to apply for a new one. Please check with the embassy or nearest consulate of the country that you plan to visit for their requirements.

Somewhere in the back of my mind I know that passports with short expiration (eventhough still valid) have limitations. Being a paranoid anal-retentive person, I renew my passport about three months before it expires. I plan for all contingencies - suppose you are seriously injured while overseas, and are hospitalized for 2 months? Renewing a passport while you've got tubes stuck up your nose seems impractical. Or, on the brighter side, you hit the lotto while overseas and decide to extend your trip to 3 months?&lt;-this is my personal fantasy. You've got plenty of time before your departure to renew the passports, so don't fret over it. Get them renewed, and you won't have to worry for another ten years!

Have a look at: http://www3.travel.com.au/everest/index.cgi?E=bevisreq

It does not take long to have your passport renewed. You have time so don't fret and renew it for safety sake. Many countries require a papport which is still valid for 3 months after your intention to leave that country. If your photo has changed drastically ie the new one you are sending in and the one in the passport send a copy of your drivers license with the application. The authorities held up the issue of my son's passport for that reason but once I sent a copy of his drivers license and school ID he received his passport in two days.

And updating early with a current photo will prevent that smirking look from immigration officers as they look back and forth between that 10 year old photo and your ten year older face! Ahh, life is cruel.