# Passport expiration **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 21, 2004, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passport-expiration/280906 "2004-12-21T02:39:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passport-expiration/280906/1 "2004-12-21T02:39:42Z")
I’m planning an overseas trip soon. My US passport expires about 4 months after I’m due to return. This looks as if it should be okay, but one friend (not always fully reliable in such matters) claims it really needs to be current for six months after a scheduled return. Is this: (a) required (b) recommended © nonsense In other words, can I get by with my current passport, or do I need to scramble around getting it renewed? ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passport-expiration/280906/2 "2004-12-21T02:46:52Z")
I cannot answer definitively, but I seem to recall that what your friend says is true, though it may depend on where you’re travelling. I believe that The Netherlands requires your passport to be good for at least 6 months past your departure date. Other countries may have different requirements so you really should look into it. Mind telling where you are going? ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passport-expiration/280906/3 "2004-12-21T02:54:23Z")
Ooooops… according to the [Netherlands Embassy website](http://www.netherlands-embassy.org/article.asp?articleref=AR00000406EN) your passport needs to expire no less than 3 months after your return home, not 6 months as earlier posted. ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passport-expiration/280906/4 "2004-12-21T03:04:21Z")
It certainly depends on where you’re planning to go, but 6 months’ validity is probably safest. I’d get a new passport. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passport-expiration/280906/5 "2004-12-21T06:17:42Z")
My travel agency always sends me an email telling me that my passport has to be good 6 months past my return date every time I book a trip out of the country. ---
**Author:** ![ccwaterback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passport-expiration/280906/6 "2004-12-21T13:24:41Z")
With things the way they are in the world today, I would get a new one before I left. IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![BurnMeUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@BurnMeUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BurnMeUp)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passport-expiration/280906/7 "2004-12-21T16:41:06Z")
This is from the US Dept of State website on travel Some countries require that your U.S. passport be valid at least 6 months or longer beyond the dates of your trip. If your passport expires before the required validity, you will have to apply for a new one. Please check with the Embassy or nearest Consulate of the country that you plan to visit for their requirements. The website is here: [http://travel.state.gov/visa/americans1.html](http://travel.state.gov/visa/americans1.html) Here is a website with all countries on it that will let you search by country for the entry requirements: [http://www.abriggs.com/high\_level/foreign\_entry\_requirements.php](http://www.abriggs.com/high_level/foreign_entry_requirements.php) ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passport-expiration/280906/8 "2004-12-21T17:05:10Z")
> [@BurnMeUp](#): > > Here is a website with all countries on it that will let you search by country for the entry requirements: [Travel Visas and US Passports for Business Travel and Tourism | Fast, Easy, Secure](http://www.abriggs.com/high_level/foreign_entry_requirements.php) Unfortunately, on that website when you ask for information on countries that start with “M” through “O” (I’m headed to New Zealand), you get sent the the list that gives “A” through “C”. I found the e-mail address for the NZ embassy, and have sent the inquiry to them. Many thanks for the help. ---
**Author:** ![BurnMeUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@BurnMeUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BurnMeUp)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passport-expiration/280906/9 "2004-12-21T17:10:32Z")
By playing with the URLs i got to the NZ page: [http://www.abriggs.com/visas/n/new\_zealand\_visa.php](http://www.abriggs.com/visas/n/new_zealand_visa.php) Six months from the last day you plan on being in the country. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passport-expiration/280906/10 "2004-12-22T00:51:10Z")
> [@BurnMeUp](#): > > By playing with the URLs i got to the NZ page Thanks - I shoulda thought of that. Looks like passports effectively expire well before their stated expiration date. I’ll be renewing mine. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passport-expiration/280906/11 "2004-12-22T02:27:15Z")
Update: I have received a response from the New Zealand embassy. They say there is no problem in using my current passport for my proposed travel. I think I may renew it anyway.