US Passport Info!

[ritaj]

Alert US travelers: I was planning to leave the US to walk the San Salvador in mid May. At the last minute I discovered that my passport had to have a renewal date of at least 6 months after I was to return. My renewal date was October 2017. It would be 6-8 weeks (though probably only 3-4 weeks) before I could get a renewed passport. I could go to Boston or Portsmouth New Hampshire (NOT near where I live) to get it within one day for an additional $60 (above the $110) cost of renewal. After much thought, I have moved my Camino to the first week in September and sent my passport off for renewal the usual way.
I am frustrated at the 3 1/2 month delay but so looking forward to my (first time solo) San Salvador. I hope I will meet some of the contributors to this forum which I have been following since my first Camino (Le Puy to Santiago) in 2009 and 2011 and the Portugues in 2015. You have all been very important in my daily life!

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Alert US travelers: I was planning to leave the US to walk the San Salvador in mid May. At the last minute I discovered that my passport had to have a renewal date of at least 6 months after I was to return. My renewal date was October 2017. It would be 6-8 weeks (though probably only 3-4 weeks) before I could get a renewed passport. I could go to Boston or Portsmouth New Hampshire (NOT near where I live) to get it within one day for an additional $60 (above the $110) cost of renewal. After much thought, I have moved my Camino to the first week in September and sent my passport off for renewal the usual way.
I am frustrated at the 3 1/2 month delay but so looking forward to my (first time solo) San Salvador. I hope I will meet some of the contributors to this forum which I have been following since my first Camino (Le Puy to Santiago) in 2009 and 2011 and the Portugues in 2015. You have all been very important in my daily life!

With exception, one can also do an Expedited renewal by mail for an additional $60.00, which would give a turnaround of 2-4 weeks. I don't know whether or not this would have helped you at the time, but it is something for others to keep in mind.

 

[Charlotte Helbig]

Hello,
I believe things happen for a reason, so maybe you just weren't meant to go in May???? Maybe you will have a special experience that you otherwise wouldn't have had. At least you discovered it now and not when you were about to board the plane....that would have been worse.
Buen Camino.
Charlotte

 

[C clearly]

That is true for passports of other countries as well. Different countries have different requirements (3 months, 6, etc.) when you enter, so most airlines won't accept passengers with less than 6 months on their passports.

 

[oursonpolaire]

I almost got caught out on this and I've done a lot of out-of-Canada travel all my life and, as well, worked on the fringes of our Immigration programme for years, so have no excuse. Luckily, there is a passport office within walking distance, so I got a 5-day turnaround at no extra cost.

 

[trecile]

This is a good reminder that one must always check visa/passport requirements when traveling abroad.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

That is true for passports of other countries as well. Different countries have different requirements (3 months, 6, etc.) when you enter, so most airlines won't accept passengers with less than 6 months on their passports.

The airlines use a database of international requirements to determine whether one can board the plane. Here is the start of the article at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timatic

Timatic is the database containing cross border passenger documentation requirements. Timatic stands for Travel Information Manual Automatic and is used by airlines to determine whether a passenger can be carried, as well as by airlines and travel agents to provide this information to travellers at the time of booking. This is critical for airlines due to fines levied by immigration authorities every time a passenger is carried who does not have the correct travel documentation.

Edit: There are places on the web where you can get access to the data. I've seen interfaces on airline websites.

 

[frida1]

It costs extra but you can get an expedited US passport in a few days. My husband had to do that when misplaced his days before a trip

 

[ritaj]

Hello,
I believe things happen for a reason, so maybe you just weren't meant to go in May???? Maybe you will have a special experience that you otherwise wouldn't have had. At least you discovered it now and not when you were about to board the plane....that would have been worse.
Buen Camino.
Charlotte

Charlotte -- I didn't believe anything like that when you posted your response. Then, this week, when I would have been in Spain, my partner Wes ended up in the hospital for a problem that now has been resolved but I was SO glad I was here to be with him! Whew. And I am set to walk the San Salvador the first week of September with my renewed passport and happy to have been forced to delay. Right you are!
Rita

 

[Charlotte Helbig]

Hi Rita-
Thank you for your response. I am sorry to hear about Wes but glad things worked out in the end. I will be in Spain in Sept. as well but on the CF. Anyway, happy travels and Buen Camino.
Best,
Charlotte