We all know that the last thing you want to do is forget your passport when traveling internationally. But what you may not realize is that there are many passport details that, if overlooked, can derail your trip before you even get to the airport.
In fact, making sure your passport is valid and meets all necessary standards is just as important as carrying it with you.
Here’s how to avoid eight common passport mistakes.
Make sure your passport is valid for 6 months
The most common mistake is not knowing the six-month validity rule that many countries follow for tourists. The rule states that your U.S. passport must be valid for at least six months upon entry, regardless of the length of your stay. This is one reason the U.S. State Department recommends travelers renew their passports at least six months before they expire.
Most countries in the European Union, Asia, Africa, North America, the Caribbean, Central and South America, the Middle East and the South Pacific follow this rule. However, there are some exceptions that only require the passport to be valid for the recommended period of stay or between one and three months.
“When I went to Romania a few years ago, I was asked if my passport was valid for less than six months,” said a senior editor at TPG. “But I knew it wasn’t a problem because Romania only requires at least three months. I told the gate agent and they let me through.”
View current passport processing times
In addition to the six-month validity issue, the State Department advises travelers to renew their passports well before they expire to avoid processing delays.
Current processing time is four to six weeks, with expedited service taking two to three weeks.
The good news is that routine processing times have decreased significantly since the pandemic (with the backlog lasting several months) and are also lower than in previous periods.
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But it’s worth noting that the wait times quoted do not include mailing time. The Department of State recommends that you allow two weeks for your passport to arrive at the Department of State and another two weeks for you to receive it; this means your typical total processing time can be expected to be 8 to 10 weeks.
Consider expedited service
If you have non-emergency travel within six to eight weeks, consider expedited service through the Department of State. This will expedite your application, resulting in slightly faster service within two to three weeks, plus postage time.
“I have never regretted my decision to pay extra for any service they allowed me to purchase to expedite the process,” said TPG Project Manager.
If you have urgent international travel plans, there are several options. The cheapest option is through the Department of State, which offers a limited number of in-person appointments under two circumstances:
- Emergency (e.g. death) requiring travel within 72 hours or three business days; proof of qualifying event required
- Non-emergency situations requiring travel within 14 days or obtaining a foreign visa within 28 calendar days; you must provide proof of travel for this purpose
Some third-party services offer expedited passport services with turnaround times of up to 24 hours. These services are more expensive and the fees vary depending on the type of passport application and the urgency of the need.
Expect delays – and have a backup plan
Passport returns may be delayed for travelers traveling to countries that also require an entry visa. Give yourself plenty of extra time to process, and consider having a backup plan.
Take the experience of a TPG aviation reporter as an example.
“Once you send it to the embassy to actually get the visa, don’t expect to be on a timeline to get it back,” he said. “And don’t rule out driving six hours to the Washington area at the last minute to actually get it back from a remote mailing facility.”
Make sure the name on your passport is up to date
Try to avoid easily avoidable mistakes. For example, one of TPG’s senior business partners was turned away at the Chinese border because the middle name on her old passport did not match the name on her current passport.
“In Asia, your middle name on your ticket, visa and passport must be 100% accurate,” she warned.
For name changes, the Department of State requires travelers to provide documentation of the name change (such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order) if the traveler’s current name is different from the name on their most recent passport.
Check if your passport has enough space
The U.S. State Department notes that some countries require passports to have at least two to four blank visa or stamp pages.
“Some airlines will not allow you to board if this requirement is not met,” the department said.
If you need more pages, you must update your passport book. A standard passport book has 28 pages, but if you travel internationally frequently, you can request a 52-page passport book.
“On your passport form, select the ‘Large Book’ option so you can get a passport book with extra visa pages,” the U.S. Department of State says.
Also, keep in mind that visa stamps require more space in your passport book.
“I’m running out of pages because there are quite a few full-page country seals in the middle of the page, leaving no room for others and preventing me from using full-page visas,” said an engineering manager at TPG. “Now, I put sticky notes on the completely blank page I left that say ‘Don’t stamp.'”
Remember, child passports are different
There are three main differences when applying for a passport for travelers aged 16 and under:
- A parent or guardian must accompany the traveler to apply for a passport. If this is not possible, the State Department will request additional documentation.
- You must use a specific form (DS-11) to renew your child’s passport.
- The passports of children under 16 are valid for only five years (adult passports are valid for 10 years).
Protect your passport with a protective case or cover
Consider using a protective case or case to prevent damage to your passport, especially when traveling.
For example, after a TPG editor-in-chief accidentally spilled coconut oil on the photo page of his Australian passport while flying from Sydney to the United States, the Australian government declared his passport invalid and charged a $500 fee to obtain a new one.
If you want to protect it further, carry it in a plastic bag.
bottom line
The U.S. Department of State lists some additional tips to avoid common passport mistakes:
- If renewing your passport, remember to submit your most recent passport with your application, along with a signed and dated DS-82 form.
- You must fill in all sections of the passport form; do not leave any blanks.
- If you are applying for a passport for the first time, or your child is under 16, do not sign the form in advance; wait until you have been instructed to do so in person.
- If you are renewing your passport by mail, sign and date the form when completing your application.
- Strictly adhere to passport photo requirements.
- Review evidence of U.S. citizenship accepted by the Department of State.
Allowing some time before traveling (ideally a few months in advance) to ensure your passport is up to date and meets all current requirements will give you peace of mind and hopefully a smooth trip.
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