does a child's passport expire when they turn 18?

[auntyjenn]

It doesn't say it expires then, but I remember the lady saying something about it when we got the passports, like we would need a new one for her sooner? maybe it was just that the kids won't last as long as the adult. Just don't want any surprises...

 

[MissReeRee]

It doesn't say it expires then, but I remember the lady saying something about it when we got the passports, like we would need a new one for her sooner? maybe it was just that the kids won't last as long as the adult. Just don't want any surprises...

Kids passports are only good for 5 years. They start lasting 10 years after the age of 16 which is how long an adult passport lasts. So depending on the age of your daughter it will either last 5 or 10 years but won't expire when she is 18 (unless she got it at 13).

 

[ljm23]

Hi, so this interests me as well because my son's (13) passport expires this year and I just got the forms to renew. I thought it would only be good until he was 16 but am I wrong, will it last the whole 5 years until he's 18? That would be awesome.
Thanks in advance

 

[maria-fan-22]

They last the full 5 years. The only reason there is any change in year between adults and kids is that adults don't change very much while kids change a lot. Mine just happens to expire when I turn 18 next year, if I were to have gotten it a year later I would expire when I was 19.

 

[some_body]

Kids passports are only good for 5 years. They start lasting 10 years after the age of 16 which is how long an adult passport lasts. So depending on the age of your daughter it will either last 5 or 10 years but won't expire when she is 18 (unless she got it at 13).

I will add that passport contains the exact day/month/year of expiration on the page with the photo. So, don't worry about how long it lasts (5 or 10 years), just look at the expiration date.

 

[NancyIL]

Depending on where you plan to travel, some countries want 6 months left on the passport after you intend to leave the country. It's best to renew your passport if you are going to Europe and the passport has less than 6 months left until expiration.

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

Depending on where you plan to travel, some countries want 6 months left on the passport after you intend to leave the country. It's best to renew your passport if you are going to Europe and the passport has less than 6 months left until expiration.

Was going to say the same thing.

 

[ljm23]

Depending on where you plan to travel, some countries want 6 months left on the passport after you intend to leave the country. It's best to renew your passport if you are going to Europe and the passport has less than 6 months left until expiration.

Well, unfortunately we're not doing Europe anytime soon but that seems like a dumb requirement. Good to know though, thanks.

 

[NancyIL]

Well, unfortunately we're not doing Europe anytime soon but that seems like a dumb requirement. Good to know though, thanks.

It isn't only European countries that require this. The point is to find out the requirements of the countries where you'll be traveling. If you have less than 6 months left on your passport and you plan to travel outside the US, consider renewing your passport before you depart on your trip.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

I will add that passport contains the exact day/month/year of expiration on the page with the photo. So, don't worry about how long it lasts (5 or 10 years), just look at the expiration date.

Yep, the date of expiration on the passport is the real date of expiration no matter how old you are. I got my passport when I was 16 and it expired when I was 26.

 

[jdb in AZ]

They last the full 5 years. The only reason there is any change in year between adults and kids is that adults don't change very much while kids change a lot. Mine just happens to expire when I turn 18 next year, if I were to have gotten it a year later I would expire when I was 19.

I hope you don't expire at 19.

 

[auntyjenn]

Thanks everyone. I was pretty sure, but I get nervous some times.

They ask for at least 6 months left on your passport in case you get stuck in the country. Don't want it to expire before you get out!

 

[Dizzyworld]

Does anyone know after the 5 years is up and they are over 16 and moving into the 10 year range, do they start the whole process over [new photos, going to the post office, etc.] or is it a renewal?

 

[NancyIL]

Does anyone know after the 5 years is up and they are over 16 and moving into the 10 year range, do they start the whole process over [new photos, going to the post office, etc.] or is it a renewal?

Everyone needs a new passport photo - even for renewals. All of my kids had 5-year passports originally, but I don't recall if they got new passports or renewals after they were 16. (I think they started over with new passports.) A minor has to be accompanied by a parent to get a passport.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

Does anyone know after the 5 years is up and they are over 16 and moving into the 10 year range, do they start the whole process over [new photos, going to the post office, etc.] or is it a renewal?

Your first "adult" passport (16+) is treated like a new passport. You can use your old passport as a form of identification.

 

[Dizzyworld]

Everyone needs a new passport photo - even for renewals. All of my kids had 5-year passports originally, but I don't recall if they got new passports or renewals after they were 16. (I think they started over with new passports.) A minor has to be accompanied by a parent to get a passport.

Your first "adult" passport (16+) is treated like a new passport. You can use your old passport as a form of identification.

Thanks a bunch. DS is planning on going to a maritime academy for college, and they do a 5 week working cruise each year. I need to make sure his passport is ready to roll when it is time to renew.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Well, unfortunately we're not doing Europe anytime soon but that seems like a dumb requirement. Good to know though, thanks.

The reason for the requirement is that you technically enter the country as a tourist who is allowed to stay up to 6 months--this insures that you will have a valid passport to leave with if you stay as long as you legally can.

Does anyone know after the 5 years is up and they are over 16 and moving into the 10 year range, do they start the whole process over [new photos, going to the post office, etc.] or is it a renewal?

It would be a new passport. Children's passports are always considered new and not renewals and your first adult passport is also then totally "new." After that you can renew--but as mentioned above you always need a new photo.

 

[Disneyholic]

so.... when you renew, does the passport go from the date it is renewed or from the expiration date of the original passport? I often wondered this since I have never renewed yet because I am still on my original passport and it will expire December 2012 and we are planning a DCL cruise on the Fantasy in August 2012. That is only 4 months left on it. If it is renewed 6 months before the expiration date & they put 10 years from the renewal date instead of the expiration date, that means I would lose aroune 6 months counting the time to send it in and get it back before our August cruise.

 

[jilljill]

so.... when you renew, does the passport go from the date it is renewed or from the expiration date of the original passport? I often wondered this since I have never renewed yet because I am still on my original passport and it will expire December 2012 and we are planning a DCL cruise on the Fantasy in August 2012. That is only 4 months left on it. If it is renewed 6 months before the expiration date & they put 10 years from the renewal date instead of the expiration date, that means I would lose aroune 6 months counting the time to send it in and get it back before our August cruise.

As of now you are not required to have a passport on a closed loop cruise, one that starts and ends in the same US port. So in your case your passport would be allowed. But since you aren't cruising until 2012 you'll need to check the requirements then.
The expiration date will be 10 years from when the renewal is processed. The date on your old passport will not matter.

 

[Disneyholic]

As of now you are not required to have a passport on a closed loop cruise, one that starts and ends in the same US port. So in your case your passport would be allowed. But since you aren't cruising until 2012 you'll need to check the requirements then.
The expiration date will be 10 years from when the renewal is processed. The date on your old passport will not matter.

So in other words they rip you off by at least 6 months when you renew a passport. They say 10 years, but you really can't wait till it is expired to renew without doing an all new one at that point. So it really isn't 10 years it's more like 9 1/2. Plus you are without your actuall passport until you get it back from them. Why can't they be like Disney APs& do the renewals from the expiration date of the old Passport?Disney need to teach them a few lessons.