Literally millions of travelers had to cancel their overseas trips during the pandemic, so this summer we’re seeing a wave of international travel. According to an article in The Dallas Morning News, the problem is many people let their passports expire during that time and that’s leading to post-pandemic passport pandemonium.
The U.S. State Department, the government agency that issues passports, says the current processing time for routine passports is 10 to 13 weeks and seven to nine weeks for an expedited passport – and that does not include mailing time. This is largely due to increased demand. The number of passports issued each year has more than quadrupled since 1996.
Experts advise checking your passport if you have international travel plans – and this includes cruises as well as flights – to make sure it’s still valid.
And keep in mind many countries require the passport to be valid for six months after your visit. Adult passports are valid for 10 years, while a child passport (age 16 and younger) is only valid for five years.
It’s also important to note that the name on your passport must match the name on your ticket. Do not use nicknames. That could prevent you from boarding.
Do you travel internationally? Message The Seniors Trust on Facebook or Twitter and let us know if this post has prompted you to check your passport’s expiration date.
