When to Renew a Passport
 

I have a question for all the seasoned international travelers out there. My children have passports that will expire in February 2005. We will travel out of the country in November 2004 for one week. I have heard that we might face difficulties with passports nearing expiration and am wondering if I should renew their passports before we leave.

Does anyone have experience with this?

Thanks!
Dave

You may want to check out the rules on http://travel.state.gov/passport_services.html but I believe some countries won't let you into their country if your passport expires in six months or less. Since your children are traveling in November and their passports expires in February, I would probably go ahead and renew it, just to be on the safe side.

I became aware of this a few years ago before traveling to Spain.

My recollection of looking into the issue is that it depends on where you are traveling to. Some countries have rules that are more stringent than others.

Your best bet might be to contact the US consulate office of the country you're traveling to or checking for tourist info on a country specific sight.

Dave...My advice--renew now.You have plenty of time before November.That way you have no issues.

Thanks for the feedback. They now require that children appear in person for passoprt renewals, so I can't use the simple mail-in renewal process this time. Oh well, I guess it is best to get it done now.

Thanks for the advice!

Dave

Davelw, I'm renewing my son's passport and just found out that this can be done at my local post office. Don't know if that is available in your area, but for me saves a nasty trip into "the city" - just thought I'd pass that on.

Dave,

I think it depends on which country your going to. The State Dept. has the info for each country. You can download all of the forms you need from there, too.

Please note, that if both parents cannot appear in person with the children, one parent has to sign an affadavit giving his/her permission. It doesn't have to be notarized, but just make sure you have that with you.

I know it's a pain with the new rules, especially since kids' passports expire every 5 years. Better to take care of it now than to get a nasty surprise at the airport.

Wow Davelw, I'm not sure why you are getting the type of responses that seem to be coming in. From the gentler replies recieved you have apparently decided to renew, good plan. I don't see how this is a silly question.

Just to clarify, he said that he had "heard" that they "might" face difficulties. We hear things everyday that are not necessarily factual (just watch the news.) :-)
To get the facts straight from other travellers seems to be a reasonable request. Just my opinion.
;;)

"I guess it's not silly if you just feel like wasting time asking questions you already know the answer to."

Likewise, I guess its not silly tossing in your two cents even if you think the original question doesn't merit your attention.

Honestly, who are you people that feel the need to complain about someone else's question. Move on if you think it wastes your time.

Ya, what he said!
=D>

Wow - I didn't know that I would generate such animosity with a simple question! I very much appreciate the advice and the kind words. I have been using this forum for quite some time and have found that most of the participants are just interested in learning and helping others. I'm not sure why anyone would want to join this forum to poke fun and criticize, but I guess there is a small minority out there who get their kicks in mysterious ways.

Thanks again for the kind words and helpful suggestions.

Dave

Dave:

Apart from the expiration question, there is also the issue of IDENTIFCATION.

So your decision to renew now is a good one.

Kids tend to change rapidly. Not cool if there is a question of whether the child on the passport matches your child or not! :)

Have a good trip!

The last time I renewed my passport I think it cost me $15 plus $10 for my photograph.

I got my passport back in a week along with my old passport.

Well, GoTravel, don't know how long ago you renewed your passport, but you'll be in for a big surprise on your next renewal. The fee is now $55 plus photo fees. And that's if you do it by mail. If you go in person to the post office there's an additional fee of something like $30 or $35.

Judy, I renewed in 1999 and they did wave the fee. I sent my passport in myself.

Well, I renewed my child's last week, and the fee is $70. Forty dollars can be charged, but you'll have to bring a check for the $30, or buy a money order. This was at the Post Ofice; I'm not sure if other outlets have different fees. They were charging $15 for photos, but a place around the corner charged about $8. Download the applications from the state department website; you can fill them out in advance, but DO NOT SIGN in advance.

On the other hand, with multiple children, I think the idea of waiting is a good one; you may be able to avoid renewing until your next trip, and if some of your children have crossed the age barrier (18, I think) they will be able to get their 10 year passport at that time. Definitely check with the embassy of the country you are visiting.

Just renewed son's passport at the Post Office

$11.77 for photo at photo shop
$55.00 fee to Dept of State (over 16)
$30.00 fee to US Post Office

The freedom to know you can travel abroad anytime with an updated passport...priceless! :)

Be sure to give yourself plenty of time - the lead time for delivery of new passport, 5 to 6 weeks.

Over 16 the passport if good for 10 years; under 15, for 5 years

For info here is the link where you can download a PDF on the application.

http://travel.state.gov/passport_services.html

You can mail in the application yourself bypassing the post office. This is what I did and saved the $35-$40 "processing" fee.

No, children have to appear in person now. The rules are different for ages 0-13 versus 14-17. Please go to the state department site for definitive answers.