About-to-Expire Passport

When is your trip and how long is a few weeks? If you're willing to pay big money its possible to get a passport renewed in only a few days. On the other hand, Immigration officials have a bit of discretion on the 90-day rule. If you're traveling from a "rich" country like USA/Canada they can make exceptions.

Trip: 29 Aug thru Sep 12
Passport exp. date: 10 Oct

You still have time to get the passport renewed. Details here:

http://travel.state.gov/passport/processing/processing_1740.html

I'll check it out!
Thank you!

The peace of mind will be worth the expedited fee.

Beatrice

What a shock to discover at the last minute!!

It sounds from the above that you may be OK.

I don't know about getting here but I do know that the low price airlines here won't let you travel, even within the UK, unless its over 6 months.

Have you checked with your transatlantic carrier?

If you want the current six-month club list from the feds rather than a commercial site with caveats, here it is:

http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/travel/inspections_carriers_facilities/clp/bulletins/clp_bullentin_04162008.ctt/clp_bulletin_04162008.pdf

If you decide to try to renew before your trip you should definitely pay the additional for expedited service. Mine has been in for renewal since July 9. I checked on the status the other day and was informed that because of the recently raised passport fees, there was a huge influx of people trying to beat the deadline. Processing times are currently expected to take the full "four to six weeks" that the website estimates. Since your trip is only a month away, that's probably not enough time for regular delivery under current circumstances. Also, you don't say how old your son is, but if he has aged into an adult passport (over age 16, I think) his will be treated like a new application and might take longer.

If I got this "Six-Month Club" thing right, FOREIGNERS who come from those countries don't need an extended period on their passports to be admitted to the US. I am however a US citizen so if this is a two-way street, my 10-year-old should be alright.

I will gather documents to try and get him a renewed passport though!

Thank you all for your input!

Beatrice, I think you misread that - Steve was talking about foreigners entering the US, and that the reverse would apply to US citizens.

Be that as it may, I did some checking and it looks like the UK requires that any US passport be valid for 3 months past the date of entry.

http://www.worldtravelguide.net/country/291/passport_visa/Europe/United-Kingdom.html

You can get a same day passport renewal at a federal courthouse. Can't remember all the details but called the US Passport phone number/made appointment on the automated line/appointment at 8am and out of there by 2pm/I think you have to be flying within 2 weeks and need a copy of you tickets/we used the one in Philadelphia/I think you don't need appointment in New York

I just checked the UK Border Agency website and nowhere does it say a passport needs to be valid at least three months after arrival. (If someone can find it on the official website and not a private website, please point it out.)

However, the VisitBritain website, the official website for the British Tourist Authority says it needs to be three months.

Now about renewal, since your son is under 16, you must renew IN-PERSON.

Your best bet is to call the National Passport Information Center: 1-877-4-USA-PPT (1-877-487-2778)

They are going to know better than anyone what you need to do and where the closest place is for you to renew it.

Additionally, I would call the British Tourist Authority in NY and ask them to confirm if the three month rule is still valid: 800 462 2748

Lastly, I'd also carry a photocopy of your son's birth certificate. Since he's traveling with his parents, and not alone, I doubt anyone is going to give him a problem. But, if you have a second for of ID for him, it might expedite things. (Since I'm assuming the parental names on his passport are the same as yours and your husbands.)

This link is from the UK consulate in DC:

http://www.visitbritain.com/en/Travel-tips/Customs-and-immigration/

The questions was not about visas but about whether or not a soon to be expires PASSPORT would be valid. Michael provided a link to the official British Tourist Agency. (And I believe the OP knew she didn't need a visa since there was no original questions on visas.)

An official website is probably more correct than one from a "private" company.

Steve writes:

That link talks about the visa required by many, but not all visitors to the UK. USA residents with valid passports through the end of their stay do not need that visa for most short term tourist visits. For official word about what is required to enter the UK you can visit the US State Department site that says

Wrong. The link discusses passport validity. The info is listed under the "Passport" section, not the Visa section:

Looks like someone has started going back to his old habits of changing his responses not to look bad once a mistake of his has been pointed out.

That person knows it's against board rules and promised never to do it again. I guess he forgot.

Actually, it looks like you should be okay.

According to the US Dept. of State, the UK does NOT require a minimum passport validity date. See http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1052.html#entry_requirements (scroll down to Entry/Exit Requirements). This will also take you to a confirmation link at the UK Border Agency website.

Peace of mind is golden :-)
I have turned in all the necessary paperwork for the expedited renewal.
Once again: Thank you!