What You Need to Know About Upcoming Passport Changes
If you haven’t renewed your U.S. passport since 2006 or 2007, now’s the time to ensure you’re up-to-date. In January, U.S. State Department officials announced they’re expecting a spike in passport applications and renewals in 2016, with 10-year passports set to expire soon.
1. Dont wait till the last minute.
It takes longer to get a passport renewed so make sure you give adequate time to receive your passport after you have applied for your upcoming trip. The Passport Bureau of Consular Affairs are expecting more than 20 million applications in 2017 and while The Passport Bureua will do everything they can to ensure you will receive your passport in timely manner but with 20 million applicants things are not going to go as quickly as you would like so get your application in early so you will not miss your trip.
2. How far in advance should you renew your passport?
Most countries require your passport to be valid for six months following your incoming flight? That means that even though your passport may technically not be expired for the duration of your trip, you could still not be allowed to leave the country.
The Six Months Validity Rule is imposed by foreign countries, and not by the United States. It simply means that your passport should be valid for more than six months before you would be allowed to enter a foreign destination.
This rule is imposed by some of the countries I have listed below. (Visit Passports and International Travel for more countries who require the 6 month rule.
3. Passport Fees
Fees depend on several factors such as if you are just getting a passport card or if you opt for expedited service. The passport application fee and the execution fee are non-refundable. They are collected and retained by law even if a passport is not issued.
- First applications or renewals for adults and minors
- Estimate your costs
- Payment options
4. Renew your passport even if you do not plan to travel.
You never know when the travel bug might hit you or you might win the lottery and who has time to be waiting around 60 days to get a passport after you have hit the mega millions? It’s always good to just know you have it.
Also, a passport is an official proof of citizenship, and a great backup should you ever lose your driver’s license. I just lost my license two weeks ago flying to MN and I was able to use my passport as ID and had I not had a passport I would not have been able to fly.
5. Renewal process for children
“Remember the requirements for children are more stringent and the renewal process can be time-intensive for minors under 16, with additional steps and materials required, including the child’s social security number number and a DS-3053 Form that serves as a statement of consent from the minor’s parents. Additionally, for those under 16, passport applications and renewals must be submitted in person. Keep in mind that passports for younger travelers are only valid for five years, so it’s important to budget enough time to get renewed before your next international trip with the kiddos.
Do you have a passport and if not will you get one now?
19 comments
Good tips! I have a passport card but I need to get on my application process for getting the book. I’m such a procrastinator!
I am taking my daughter and mom to Costa Rica next year so I am about to get started on the process for them
Very good tips you have here. It is definitely worth it to have your passport updated. Yes, a whole lot of countries want minimum 6 month validity. You also never know when you have an emergency that may require travel.
The requirements change from country to country so people cant assume it will be the same for the US
Great tips. I know a few people who have already let there passport expire.
I love traveling too much to let mine expire. I am getting anxious now trying to figure out where I am going next
I totally needed to read this blog and I am going to a computer right now to begin the renewal process! My trip is a year out so I have time. Thank you for sharing!
Where are you going? I wanna go!!
I don’t currently own one. I would love to one day, right now I’m not sure when that is.
Any reason why you dont have one or havent traveled out of the country?
I don’t have a passport, but I definitely need to get one. These are great tips. I never knew about the six months validity rule.
Great tips. I need to get my sons Passport asap.
That reminds me its about time to renew my passport! Cant believe its been 10 years since my first trip to the motherland (Ghana) almost 10 years ago in March.
I’ve never had a passport. I didn’t even know that you had to renew them either. That will certainly be good to know in the event I ever need one!
Our family of 3 renewed/got new passports in 2015. I needed to change my name. My husband’s old passport expired and our 6-year-old needed his first passport.
We got our photos taken for free at AAA, then applied in-person to make sure we had everything we needed.
I keep my Passport updated at all times. This is useful info because Passport requirements (for visiting other countries) tend to change often so it’s good to stay in the know.
Thanks for the reminder! I just got a new passport in 2014 so I’m good for a while.
ahhh I needed this post last year!!! But you gave some great pointers. Funny thing is my friend and I did the application the same time. One us paid for it to be expedited, it didn’t matter. Both passports came within a week. I say we were lucky because if it was a last minute trip I’m not sure if we would have been so lucky.
Thank God the both of you got your passports. They say it takes a while to receive them but i think it took about 3 weeks to receive mine as well