dorkforcemom

How would you handle this situation? Passports expire April 29, 2008. DH & I want to travel to Italy departing November 9, returning November 18. I'm not sure there's enough time to renew it before November 9, and under the recommended 6 month window - barely. Would you renew now in hopes of having it back in 10 weeks?

You may ask why we've waited to have them renewed - we've been fortunate to have traveled to Europe (one week trips) every quarter for the past year, so, I haven't had a window of time to go without our passports.

Thanks, in advance, for your thoughts...

ira

Hi D,

You can always pay the extra fee for expedited service.

It's running about 3 weeks w/overnight delivery.

Marc_David_Miller

Pay for the expedited service. At least once a week I speak with a client who regrets not doing this.

Christina

I would also renew and pay for expedited service. It isn't that expensive overall, considering it lasts 10 years. I know it is sort of a ripoff that the govt. can't do its job in a shorter time, but I'd still pay it.

John_T_Cuttino

Information I have is that Italy requires valid passport good 3 (not 6) months after visit.

DeborahAnn

The passport situation just may be improving. A friend just received her first passport in about four weeks. She applied July 21st at the post office and was prepared for a long wait so didn't need it expedited. It's quick appearance was a quite unexpected Deborah

gf

Situation may be better outside of New York! In NYC, I was told to try going to Philly or CT! And this wasnt even for a renewal, just to add pages! So, i you are a New Yorker, wait until after travel. Otherwise, it vries state to state, from what they told me over the phone.

karussell

I would also suggest paying the expediated service fee.

atp2007

how far ahead can you get a passport renewed? Mine expires in jan 08 and I've been waiting to see if the delays get straightened out once the summer rush settles down. Can I submit it for renewal as early as September?

abram

I renewed mine a couple of years before it expired because I was going on a cruise that was scheduled to stop in Libya (it didn't) and I had an Israeli stamp in my passport, which meant the Libyans wouldn't have let me off the ship.

teacher33

I would pay the expedited fee. I just got mine back from a renewal almost 4 months to the day from when I sent it in. and I was told that renewals went faster. Good luck!

paris1953

I finally received my renewal after 12 weeks! It took every bit of 12 weeks and I would most definitely do the expedited service. Why risk it?

dorkforcemom

Thanks for all your thoughts. I emailed the Italian consulate in Houston (closest to me) with my inquiry. Here is the kind & prompt reply I received:

thanks for your mail,
there is ample time for your return to the US, the 6 months dateline is compulsory for those travellers on a visa requirements. We understand you are travelling to Italy on Visa Waiver Program for a tourist which extends your limit to stay in Italy only up to 90 days.
relax and enjoy your stay

In other words, as I'm interpreting this, your passport needs to be valid 3 months following your return. Am I reading this correctly?

LoveItaly

Hi dorkforcemom, yes and they also reminded you that you can only stay in Italy for 90 days in that you will not have a visa. Enjoy planning your trip!!

AAFrequentFlyer

Why not visit the US Consulate in Rome and have it done in a day or 2 at most. The best part is that no third party handles your passport (less chance of something going wrong).

Make sure you go to the US citizens entrance and not the (usually very long) foreigners line.