This can be a hassle too. It can take up to months, or you can expedite it (for a 'small' fee of course).

 

Mine took no time at all without any expedite fee.

Found out about it the night before we flew to Denver to stay with the in-laws for a few days before our Mexico trip in February. I had 4 1/2 months before mine expired. Lucky for me, Denver had a regional passport office and I got a new one the in 4 hrs the day before our trip.

Are you telling me that when I travel to the Bahamas in a couple of months, I might have issues, since my wife's passport expires a few weeks after we are scheduled to return?:banghead:

 

Absoluetly, you need to get it renewed. Most airlines won't let you on the plane.

 

 

Best place to go is a small town post office. They can take the appropriate picture, help you fill out your paperwork properly, and priority mail it for all in one easy visit.

 

Info you may need.

US Passport Renewals - How to Renew a Passport

 

6-8 weeks is typically the normal turn around time. You can pay extra and get it in less than two weeks.

I think I'm good, since the Bahamas "country specific page" says;

 

PASSPORT VALIDITY:

Must be valid at time of entry

 

Whereas many others say;

 

PASSPORT VALIDITY:

Six months beyond intended stay

 

or something to that effect.

 

I would hate to leave the wife home, while me and the kids go on vacation :sssh:

How much? I's kinda poor.

 

When we went to Germany/Italy 2 years ago we ordered ours at the Evansville Library. Had the pics taken at Walgreens. If I recall it was about $125 for each of them. Took about 4 weeks to get them.

Mine renewal was $110, my minor daughter's renewal was $105 (80 + 25 city "identity check" fee) and my son's renewal from minor to adult was $135 (110 + 25 city "identity check" fee).

I think I'm good, since the Bahamas "country specific page" says;

 

PASSPORT VALIDITY:

Must be valid at time of entry

 

Whereas many others say;

 

PASSPORT VALIDITY:

Six months beyond intended stay

 

or something to that effect.

 

I would hate to leave the wife home, while me and the kids go on vacation :sssh:

 

Better call the airline you are flying with.

Used to be you could a 'passport in a day' with Chicago being the closest location to do that. Not sure if its still possible. In any case it was not at all cheap.

In my experience the Expeditors are a rip off. You will get the passport just as fast going through normal channels and don't need to pay for it to be expedited.

Better call the airline you are flying with.

 

Agree. It was the airline who wouldn't let the guy I know board.

In my experience the Expeditors are a rip off. You will get the passport just as fast going through normal channels and don't need to pay for it to be expedited.

 

We have had to get 20 or so passports for people over the past year at my work.

 

If you go to the post office, priority mail your info out, pay for expedited processing and 1 day return postage, the average turnaround is 8 working days.

 

Unexpedited is averaging 5 weeks.

 

It's $80 or so extra to expedite and 1-day return.

 

So plan ahead and save some money.

 

Also don't use any of the online services. They're not government agencies and will charge more. Go to the Post Office.

I have a friend who recently was going to China. She didn't know about this until she arrived at the airport to leave. Had to cancel her whole trip. She had tours planned, all non refundable.

Agree. It was the airline who wouldn't let the guy I know board.

 

Which airline? That seems like an airline overstepping its boundaries to me.

Which airline? That seems like an airline overstepping its boundaries to me.

 

Not sure. I can ask though.

Which airline? That seems like an airline overstepping its boundaries to me.

 

They are actually doing the passenger a favor. As when the passenger gets to that country, they will not be allowed to enter.