Passport help. Expires in three months

In France the three months requirement is counted from the end of your stay in France.

In France the three-month requirement is counted from the end of the longest potential stay in France which is three months. Overall, you need 6 months validity on your passport to enter into any Schengen country.

I cannot answer what the UK may require.

For the UK your passport simply needs to valid for the duration of your stay. They don’t have a 3/6 month rule.

We leave France on March 31st. My passport expires July 21st.
I should be ok then?

That depends. Your potential stay is 90 days which is about June 26th, making the additional 3 months required about Sept 26. Your expiration date is July. What will passport control decide?

I see expediting services that will do it in one day for $379. The other choice is to show up at the airport and be refused boarding by the airline. Penalties have put the onus on the airlines that they not allow people on the airplane with doubtful passports who could be turned away, thus they are very strict in following the rules.

Honestly, there are references to both 90 days beyond longest potential stay and 90 days beyond planned return.

I would not leave this to chance and simply renew my passport but the determining factor will actually be the airline with which you will be flying. I would clarify with them.

Because of all the movement, "potential" stay is being used more frequently in the Schengen zone. You would need 6 months on your passport. Getting an expedited passport is not a bad idea, considering your situation but do check with the airline. I saw people turned away from American at Miami International.

Any tips on where to get one?

Your profile doesn’t give a clue to location but that will make a difference on advice.

Your problem will be with the airline even allowing you to board; they don't take people whom they believe will not be allowed into the Schengen zone and you may simply not be allowed to board. Too late now though isn't it? Let us know if it worked out okay. It may with a round trip ticket that gives you 3 mos after your return.

Google "passport expediting" there are several companies. Earlier post of $379 was only the service, not shipping or the actual passport renewal fee. Start Monday morning first thing. It might happen.

Since you are leaving on Tuesday, I’m not sure if mail would work. Here is a list of the Federal passport offices that can renew your passport in person: Official Federal Passport Agencies

If you are lucky enough to live within travel distance of an office, make an appointment for tomorrow on line today.

Thanks for the advice everyone.
I was able to schedule an appointment for tomorrow at the federal passport office in San Diego. I believe they can provide same day renewal with prove of flight information.
Fingers crossed!

That’s great news! Are you getting a new passport photo taken today?

Have a wonderful trip!

You should be OK with an appointment tomorrow. There will be an expedited cost involved, but I assume nothing like the $379 mentioned for an expediting service. I was having lunch recently with a friend recently, who told me about a trip to England with his wife a few years ago where he looked at his passport on the way to the airport and realized it had expired. So he had the taxi drop him off at the Federal Building in Boston and then take his wife to the airport. He somehow managed to get his passport renewed in time to get on his flight that night.

Wow! It's great that you were able to get an appointment for tomorrow!

Please let us know how it turns out.

Wishing you a wonderful trip!

P.S. This is a good reminder for all of us to check our passport expiration date.

Edited to add...

Robert, that's an amazing story!

If I were in your shoes I would renew the passport. Heard many stories when people were not allowed to board the flight cause the passport expiration date was not okay

Alejandro ..... Did you read all the posts before adding your comment? He is getting a new passport tomorrow.

Have no fear. Your federal passport office is most likely filled with amazingly friendly and helpful people that will get you your new passport within 48 hours. Myself and several other friends of mine have gone through this process and all commented on how painless the process is. Just come prepared. Those online expediting services are ripoffs, you can usually get this done on your own for a minimal fee.