When to renew passport that expires January 2017?

[christianweecare]

DH & I have passports that expire January 2017. Should we start the renewal process this month (Dec)?

 

[wherespluto]

YES!!! Most countries will not allow you to use a passport up to 6 months BEFORE it expires. Hopefully you do not need to use it anytime soon.

 

[wherespluto]

For example, the Bahamas will not let you enter if your passport expires in less than 3 months.

 

[christianweecare]

We won't need our passports until our Sept. 2017 cruise but I'll go ahead and get the process started this month. Thanks!

 

[clten]

The expiration date of the new passport will be 10 years from the date they issue it. So if I don't need my passport for a few months, I "buy" a couple extra months by not submitting my passport for renewal in advance. If I were you, I'd get everything ready but not submit it until 1st quarter next year.

 

[WishUponAStarryNight]

I'd do it ASAP. To me, a valid passport is not a "nice to have," it's a necessity.

 

[bumbershoot]

For example, the Bahamas will not let you enter if your passport expires in less than 3 months.

If you fly in. Not the same for a cruise. Especially if it's a cruise that allows US citizens to use just birth certificate and ID.

We won't need our passports until our Sept. 2017 cruise but I'll go ahead and get the process started this month. Thanks!

I would wait then. I'm a passport proponent, but if I had no plans and no hopes for plans I would wait. You can renew even if it's been expired for up to something like five years.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

Are you planning to mail in the old ones? That takes a little longer, but is MUCH easier if you don't need it right away. I know, I was nervous putting my valid passport in an envelope, but I did it twice and it worked out both times. They send you back the old one in a separate envelope, with a punch hole in it.

 

[christianweecare]

If you fly in. Not the same for a cruise. Especially if it's a cruise that allows US citizens to use just birth certificate and ID.



I would wait then. I'm a passport proponent, but if I had no plans and no hopes for plans I would wait. You can renew even if it's been expired for up to something like five years.

I did not know this!

 

[christianweecare]

Are you planning to mail in the old ones? That takes a little longer, but is MUCH easier if you don't need it right away. I know, I was nervous putting my valid passport in an envelope, but I did it twice and it worked out both times. They send you back the old one in a separate envelope, with a punch hole in it.

Thanks for the info. This will be our first experience renewing.

 

[RedSox68]

Even though you don't need them until September, I would start the process by January. Maybe with the holiday mails you might want to wait until January so it doesn't get lost or waylaid. Our renewals took about two months, and they do return your original passports, but in separate envelopes.

 

[christianweecare]

Even though you don't need them until September, I would start the process by January. Maybe with the holiday mails you might want to wait until January so it doesn't get lost or waylaid. Our renewals took about two months, and they do return your original passports, but in separate envelopes.

That's a good thought, too. Passports mixed in with all the holiday mail--something to consider.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

I got passports for my sons last June, it took about 4 weeks. I renewed mine most recently, two years ago, April, and it took about 4 weeks. But avoiding the holiday mail and not waiting until the last minute sound like good plans. It would be a shame to have to pay the "expedited" fee if it gets too close to your sail date after knowing you'd have to do it.

 

[christianweecare]

Oh, no. We definitely won't wait. I think I will start the process in January.

I got passports for my sons last June, it took about 4 weeks. I renewed mine most recently, two years ago, April, and it took about 4 weeks. But avoiding the holiday mail and not waiting until the last minute sound like good plans. It would be a shame to have to pay the "expedited" fee if it gets too close to your sail date after knowing you'd have to do it.

 

[bcwife76]

Agree with other posters, since you don't 'need' it til September then I would wait til the Christmas rush has died down and do it in January.

 

[Skittlesmom]

I couldn't find my kids' passports (cards), so I cancelled them and ordered new passports a month ago (we finished our cruise last weekend)...it took 2 weeks to get the new passports (used an expedited service). We were extremely worried they wouldn't arrive in time...very thankful for the expedited service. You have plenty of time though and won't need the expedited service.

 

[bumbershoot]

I did not know this!

Yep!

From the State Department:

can renew by mail using Form DS-82 if your most recent passport:

......

• Was issued when you were age 16 or older
• Was issued within the last 15 years

I got my first pport in '95 or '96, let it expire naturally. Almost 5 years later State Dept was letting everyone know that prices were going up, and I was able to send in my renewal a week or so before that 5 year mark. So it had been just under 15 years since I had gotten the passport, and I was able to renew (which is a financial thing b/c you don't have the extra fee as you do for a new application).

 

[houseofduck]

I renewed two of our expired passports in September. It only took two weeks without expedited service. So, you have plenty of time!

 

[shoes99]

For example, the Bahamas will not let you enter if your passport expires in less than 3 months.

We renewed by mail on Friday Nov 18, 2016. Our passports expire May 2017 but we are doing a B2B on the Magic out of Miami starting 1/29/2017. We are visiting Grand Cayman and the Bahamas.
Going by the 6 month rule, we had to renew early. I checked online status and we should get them next week.

 

[mevelandry]

It's a choice but I prefer to have a "valid for more than 6 months" passport because you never know what will happen...

You could win a trip, get invited for an unplanned trip, decide to go on a spontaneous trip, have an emergency that will bring you out of the country --example: I know someone who's relative got seriously injured during an excursion in Europe. Family members had to fly over there because their relative stayed at the hospital for many days!)

I love the freedom the passport is giving me.