Passports — Getting Yours (or Renewing) in Time

You need a valid passport for every international Getaway, and getting one (or renewing one) takes longer than most people expect. If you don’t already have a passport, or yours is approaching expiration, start the process as early as possible.

The 6-month rule

Most countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months past the date you return home. If your passport expires too close to your return date, the airline may not even let you board the outbound flight. Check your expiration date before you book anything.

If you need a new passport (or a renewal)

The U.S. State Department offers two processing speeds:

• Standard processing: approximately 6 to 8 weeks.
• Expedited processing: approximately 2 to 3 weeks, for an extra fee.

Both timelines can stretch during high-demand periods (spring and early summer especially). Don’t cut it close.

How to apply

• First-time passport applicants need to apply in person at a passport-acceptance facility (most post offices, many libraries). Find one at iafdb.travel.state.gov.
• Renewals can usually be done by mail if your existing passport meets a few requirements (issued in the last 15 years, you were over 16 when it was issued, undamaged, in your name). See the full instructions at travel.state.gov.

If you’ve already cut it close

If your trip is less than 5 weeks away and you still don’t have a passport, you have two options:

• Make an in-person appointment at a passport agency. The State Department has a network of regional offices that can issue passports same-day or within 2 weeks for travel emergencies. You’ll need proof of imminent international travel. Appointments fill up fast — check travel.state.gov/getfast.
• Use a passport expediter service. Companies like RushMyPassport, Travisa, and CIBT can shepherd an application through faster than you could on your own, for a fee on top of the State Department’s expedited charge.

A few more tips

• Get the passport book, not just the card. The passport card only works for land/sea travel to Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean — it’s not valid for international flights.
• Take a photo of your passport photo page and email it to yourself before you fly. If the physical passport is ever lost or stolen, having a digital copy on your phone makes the replacement process much faster.
• Pack your passport in your carry-on, not your checked luggage.