Childs passport expiring in middle of cruise

[CamillaF]

I just looked at my kids passports and they expire in the middle of our scheduled cruise. I looked on line to see how to renew them (the twins are turning 10). It seems I can not renew passports for people under 16. The directions I read all stated that the passport needed to be expired and then I would reapply for it. This won't work for me as we need it at expiration. As anyone ran into this? Can. I apply for a new passport even if the one they have is still active??? Can anyone point me to the correct information? What am I missing. We can't be the only family that has ran into this issue.

 

[ljhayes]

You don't have to wait for it to expire to re-apply.

 

[darnheather]

Reapply now. If you need that passport to fly it isn't going to work..

 

[pearljammer]

I just looked at my kids passports and they expire in the middle of our scheduled cruise. I looked on line to see how to renew them (the twins are turning 10). It seems I can not renew passports for people under 16. The directions I read all stated that the passport needed to be expired and then I would reapply for it. This won't work for me as we need it at expiration. As anyone ran into this? Can. I apply for a new passport even if the one they have is still active??? Can anyone point me to the correct information? What am I missing. We can't be the only family that has ran into this issue.

Agree with others. Submit and expedite. Will cost more but will be worth it.

 

[CamillaF]

Reapply now. If you need that passport to fly it isn't going to work..

Thank you. Thats what made since to me. However I could not find anything stating that on the passport websites.

 

[Sarco11]

I thought that often passports had to be valid for at least 6 months past your scheduled vacation date in order to travel. Probably depends on the country. Also, depending on where your cruise is going, I think that a birth certificate may be sufficient for younger kids.

 

[otten]

People apply to renew passports before they expire all the time. For international travel you often need them to be valid beyond the trip. If this is a cruise that needs a passport you definitely need to apply for a renewal now. If it doesn’t require a passport then you will need to use a birth certificate for online check in.

 

[RedHead0186]

I thought that often passports had to be valid for at least 6 months past your scheduled vacation date in order to travel. Probably depends on the country. Also, depending on where your cruise is going, I think that a birth certificate may be sufficient for younger kids.

It depends on the country. Some require 6 months validity past your travel dates, others just require you to have a valid passport.

 

[Lord Manhammer]

You didn't say when your cruise is. If it's coming up, I would make an appointment at a passport office to get the passport in very short order. It will cost you, but you'll at least have it. Right now, even expedited passports are taking in excess of 10 weeks.

 

[Mom2Anna&Elsa]

I think that just means you can’t renew by mail or online for kids passports— have to do it in person & go through everything again with both parents, etc.

Definitely start the process before expiration.

 

[crisi]

Both parents have to consent - you do this in person at a passport processing facility (often you city hall or post office). Its easiest if both are present. And note that its taking a long time to get passports - I just got one and it took ten weeks - and that was expidited.

 

[crisi]

You didn't say when your cruise is. If it's coming up, I would make an appointment at a passport office to get the passport in very short order. It will cost you, but you'll at least have it. Right now, even expedited passports are taking in excess of 10 weeks.

They won't even take your appointment unless your travel is within two weeks. Its really a nightmare right now. A friend just almost missed her boat - after SIX MONTHS her expedited passport arrived the week before she was due to travel.

 

[pindecisive]

I thought that often passports had to be valid for at least 6 months past your scheduled vacation date in order to travel. Probably depends on the country. Also, depending on where your cruise is going, I think that a birth certificate may be sufficient for younger kids.

This was a good reminder for me to calendar in our passport renewal for a year before they expire.

 

[soniam]

You will have to turn in the passport with the application at the in-person appointment. Kid’s passports must be renewed in person until they are 16. Both parents or an affidavit for the parent not present is required.

 

[brent02139]

Are you sure you need a passport in your travels. I'm asking because closed-loop cruise, kids 16 and under can cruise with birth certificate. Granted, if you fly from other countries, cruise end in another country, etc then you'll need passport. But your post didn't say anything that includes that, wanted to present you with an option.

members of our family in our upcoming trip are traveling with just birth certificates.

 

[Rogue1677x]

I can't stress this enough that if you need to get new passports, there is still reported to be a backlog, so that adds time regardless of expediting the service. Additionally, if there is a government shutdown, this is something that can affect processing times as well.

 

[CamillaF]

Thank you all.

 

[Mango7100]

Just renewed the 10 year olds passport in Feb ( it expired in July but we were traveling to Canada in July). I booked my appointment 2 months prior (and when we went in Feb they were booking appointment for end of May). Did the notarized paperwork so my husband did not have to be present. Paid for expedited and overnight delivery because I hear so many horror stories and didn’t want to mess around. I think it was $60 more than regular but worth it. Took about 7 weeks to get it.

 

[CamillaF]

Just renewed the 10 year olds passport in Feb ( it expired in July but we were traveling to Canada in July). I booked my appointment 2 months prior (and when we went in Feb they were booking appointment for end of May). Did the notarized paperwork so my husband did not have to be present. Paid for expedited and overnight delivery because I hear so many horror stories and didn’t want to mess around. I think it was $60 more than regular but worth it. Took about 7 weeks to get it.

Thanks this makes so much since. I am not sure why I kept thinking that "not able to renew" means you can't start the process earlier. This helps me out a lot.

 

[DCLMP]

Thank you. Thats what made since to me. However I could not find anything stating that on the passport websites.

You have to go in person to renew a child's passport. Both parents will need to be present or have things notarized. We renewed at our post office.