Travel Tips

Traveling Internationally? Check your Passport!

April 24, 2023

Americans are eager to book tickets and pack their bags as they plan to take off to international destinations this summer. But before you even start to plan your trip, be sure you have a current passport in hand! Many countries require passports to be valid for six months after the final day of travel.

As travelers request new or renewed passports, the U.S. State Department is experiencing longer than usual wait times. With that in mind, all travelers are encouraged to check their passport expiration date and, if necessary, renew their passport well in advance of making international travel plans.

To ensure you have the proper documentation before traveling internationally, please find additional information below as you get ready to go!

Be aware of lengthy wait times:

Across the country, Americans are dusting off their passports and submitting them to the U.S. State Department for renewal, and many are submitting applications for new passports. As a result, passport processing times have significantly increased. Routine applications are taking 10 to 13 weeks to process, and expedited applications are being processed in 7 to 9 weeks or longer in some cases. [Note: these wait times are estimated by the U.S. State Department and can vary significantly.]

Keep in mind that processing times do not include mailing times, and the process begins once your application has been received at a passport agency or center.

For more information visit the State Department’s passport webpage here.

Check your passport before purchasing a ticket:

To check your passport expiration date, look on the data page of your passport book or on the front of your passport card. Below your personal details, it shows the date of issue and date of expiration. Ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months prior to your return date.

What to do if your passport is lost or stolen:

You should immediately report your passport as lost or stolen and it will be canceled. You should only report your U.S. passport lost or stolen if the original, physical version of the passport book or passport card has been lost or stolen. Once you report a U.S. passport lost or stolen, it is invalid and cannot be used for international travel.

Where to find more information about passport issuance and renewals:

Most travelers can renew passports by mail or in person at a passport acceptance facility.

Information about necessary documents and the submission process can be found on the State Department’s passport renewal page here.

There is a unique application process for first-time passport holders and children under the age of 16. More information can be found here.