DD passport expires 2 weeks after we get back

[maclondon]

How soon can I apply for a new one - as don't you need 6 months spare - also means there's probably no point getting esta's until I have the passport she is travelling on - not a big issue.

OK GOOGLE: how soon can i apply for a passport renewal

If your child is under 16, you can renew or replace a damaged passport up to 9 months before the current one runs out.

ok so i can do it NOW! well I'll do it after xmas as we will be going to ireland over the new year.

 

[chmurf]

as don't you need 6 months spare

actually you don't. The UK are part of a set of countries (aka the 6 months club) that don't need the 6 months validity.

 

[wayneg]

You can renew anytime but if you do it within 9 months the remaining time will be added to the new passport.

Just to clarify the 6 month rule, it does not apply to UK passport holders visiting the US. We are exempt and have an agreement where they add 6 months onto the passport beyond its expiry date.

Here is the official wording from the US Embassy, London FAQ's:

I understand that my passport needs to be valid for at least six months; is this correct?
The requirement that a passport is valid for travel for six months beyond the holder's stay in the United States is waived for certain nationalities, including British Citizens
Link to all countries that have the agreement to extend the passport 6 months after expiry: http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/104770.pdf

 

[wilma-bride]

My passport expires in January but I had no problem travelling on it to Florida a couple of weeks ago.

If she has a current ESTA then I wouldn't bother applying for a new one before you travel. However, if you have to apply for ESTAs anyway, then you may as well reapply and get the extra time left added to the new passport.

 

[Elise79]

We travelled last December and DD passport expired 5 weeks after we returned. She had a valid ESTA so I didn't renew her passport until we got home. There were no issues whatsoever - so unless you will be applying for a new ESTA anyway I would wait until your return

 

[maclondon]

thanks all
think ill wait til after xmas - get the new passport then apply for estas when it arrives.