Passport Renewal Recommendation

I would do it given it's within the 6 month window for mandatory renewal. Better safe that sorry.

Look into whether you/he can do it online... That is very quick now.

I would do it given it's within the 6 month window for mandatory renewal.

Huh?

When in January does the passport expire and when does the OP leave Schengen? The way I'm reading the OP the passport will have 5 months 4 at the least validity.

Third-country nationals are supposed to possess a passport valid for at least three months after the intended date of departure from the Schengen territory.

Legal basis
Regulation (EU) 2016/399 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on a Union
Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders (Schengen Borders Code)1
Article 6 The entry conditions for third-country nationals
1. For intended stays on the territory of the Member States of a duration of no more than 90 days in
any 180-day period, which entails considering the 180-day period preceding each day of stay2
, the
entry conditions for third-country nationals shall be the following:
(a) they are in possession of a valid travel document entitling the holder to cross the border
satisfying the following criteria:
(i) its validity shall extend at least three months after the intended date of departure
from the territory of the Member States. In a justified case of emergency, this
obligation may be waived;
(ii) it shall have been issued within the previous 10 years;

Also as far as I understand understand under 16 year olds, their passports have to be applied for in person https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/under-16.html

Just remember we're anonymous posters on an internet forum.

What VAP wrote.

As long as you leave more than three months before the expiration date, you'll be fine.

I can't comment knowledgeably about European validity period requirements but from what other responders say you will likely have enough time left on the current passport. Since your trip is only 3 months away you are cutting it close if you want to get a new one beforehand. You can't renew a child's passport online or by mail. You will need to go through the same bureaucratic process you did to get him his first one, i.e., an in-person appointment at a passport facility with both parents present.

Also any question one can use the IATA TravelCenter https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/

The IATA TravelCentre is the official public portal for travelers to access the same Timatic database used by airlines to verify passport, visa, and health requirements.

"I would do it given it's within the 6 month window for mandatory renewal. Better safe that sorry."

What "6 month window for mandatory renewal" are you talking about? Schengen is 3 months from your date of departure from the region.

Requirements for passport validity vary widely by country. There is no six months requirement as a general rule.

Some countries require 6 months validity but I can’t speak for the countries you will be visiting. Assuming 3 months is fine, then I would not renew it before trip. This is a busy time for passport renewals given summer vacation. Make an appointment with your local office (must be in person) for after your trip and maybe before school restarts. So it is ready before end of year holidays (in case you have a trip then).
I have a kid a few years older than yours.

All our passport renewals are scheduled (for me to remember to renew) on my calendar starting 9 months before they expire as it is easily forgettable. We also have 2 different passports each so double the work and process and they are about 2 years apart for validity and different dates.

@VAP - thanks for sharing that link!

What is the probability your child will again need to use a passport over the next six years? If “likely” than go ahead and renew the passport.

Just don't ever try to renew your passport using the online system if you are in a foreign country. Your passport will be immediately cancelled.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/do-not-use-it-state-department-warns-americans-over-online-passport-renewals/ar-AA21PXmp?ocid=msedgntp&pc=EDGEDB&cvid=69efd8252a1f4e87bfabde815ae8ee22&ei=31

"If you attempt to access this service from a foreign country, the system identifies the discrepancy and takes defensive action. Officials warn that as soon as you hit the submit button, your current travel document is electronically killed."

If it makes you more comfortable, there are companies that expedite renewals. For a fee of course, but in return you get peace of mind. Your choice.

You might also see if AAA can help.

Perhaps this is where the supposed "6 month" comes from? I looked on the American Airlines website and found:

Some countries require your passport to be issued at least 6 months before the day you arrive. Check your destination’s requirements if you’re unsure.

The AAL website did not specify what, if any, countries had this requirement. And perhaps that statement is not even true. Are there countries with this requirement?

But most importantly, there are TWO entities to satisfy.

1. Your airline may deny boarding if you don't meet whatever their requirements are for passport/visa/eta, etc...

2. The country you are entering has it's own requirements.

Thank you all for the information. It has helped a great deal.

Everyone wants to second guess this. VAP posted the one truth (outside of visiting the embassy/consulate website of the country you are going to): the the IATA will control if you get on the plane or not, and the IATA will not let you on the plane if upon landing the airline will need to return you to the US because you did not meet the entry requirements.

https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/

Despite this being about as fool proof as you can get, it rarely gets mentioned as an answer to a similar question.

Sorry, but IATA is not an official anything. It is an aviation trade organization that airlines refer to.

It is a private organization. Similar to a US industry trade group. It doesn't make the rules.

Schengen rules are simple...you must have three months left on your passport at your departure date from Schengen.

FrankII, you are correct. All i said was that you were not getting on the plane unless the IATA says it’s okay. The airlines trust the accuracy of the service because if you get refused at the destination that airline is probably obligated to return you to where you came from.

And again, a minor’s passport is done in person not thru the mail. You should be fine if there’s over 3 months left when you exit Schengen to go home. But always check with the US Dept of State for the correct information versus an online open forum.