Before you even start to think about that international trip, make sure you check your passport!
So, what exactly do you need to check on your passport?
- Expiration Date – You want your passport to be valid for at least six months beyond the completion date of any planned international trip. If your passport expires sooner than that, you must apply to renew your passport. Since passports are valid for up to 10 years, it is easy to forget when exactly they need to be renewed (especially if you don’t use them too often). This seemingly small detail could result in a travel disaster. The best rule of thumb…if your passport is scheduled to expire within the next 6-12 months, renew it now.
- Blank Pages – Passports must have enough blank pages to accommodate entry and exit immigration stamps for each country of travel. At least one visa page in your passport is required for each visa. Most travel visas stamped into your passport require an entirely blank visa page. The ‘blank’ visa page must be clean and clear, and not show ink or stains from any other page in the passport.
- Name Change – If the name on your passport no longer matches your legal name, you should apply for a new passport.
Now, how much time do you need to renew your passport? With the pent-up demand for travel, we’re seeing longer wait times to get passports renewed. You’ll want to give yourself at least 12 weeks (if not longer) to get your new passport. If you ‘expedite’ your passport the waiting time is 4-6 weeks and you will need to pay an additional $60 for the expedited service. If you have a life-or-death emergency that requires an immediate renewal within 3-days, you can make an in-person appointment. You can also pay extra for 1–2-day delivery after the passport has been printed.
The bottom line is, DO NOT WAIT! If it expires within the next 6-12 months, begin the process of renewal today! You’ll be glad you did when the time comes to book your next Bucket List trip!
