Reminder...if child's passport was obtained before age 16, it may be expiring soon.

Parent Cafe
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<p>This subject came up in another thread, so I thought I’d make a thread to alert others who may be in this situation.</p>

<p>US Passports obtained before a child turns age 16 only last for 5 years (unlike adults’ passports that last for 10).</p>

<p>Many young people get the very bad news that their passports have expired just as they are about to leave on a trip abroad. This obviously causes all kinds of problems. </p>

<p>So…check your children’s passport expiration dates and renew accordingly…and, adults, check yours as well!</p>

<p>Summer will soon be upon us and some will be doing Summer Abroad trips, grad trips, or whatever! </p>

<p>Don’t want any upset kids or parents!!! </p>

<p>Bon Voyage! </p>

<p>:)</p>

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<p>Great reminder. S just got a new passport for that reason, even though he has no immediate plans for a trip. You never know when something might come up!</p>

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<p>and to add…</p>

<p>keep in mind that you cannot renew these; if they were originally obtained prior to age 16, the form is for a NEW passport; with new pix, fees etc…</p>

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<p>True…updated pic, etc, needed.</p>

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<p>My kids are on their 3rd. When we renewed last year, the older two were 18 and 20 but the youngest was 15, so she still has a 5 year passport.</p>

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<p>Whoa! Thanks m2ck—we are going out of the country for spring break so I just checked dd12 and dd16. Theirs expire in September 2012! I think I have to have more than 6 months before expiration to leave the country so we will be taking care of it THIS MONTH!! I just checked and both parents don’t have to appear any more if the non-applying parent completes a notarized statement approving the issuance of a new passport. Both girls are very excited to get new pictures! Thanks for the heads up!</p>

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<p>We are on the third for ours as well. Luckily they will send back your old passport if you request. There was no way I was giving up S1’s first passport from when he was just 10 monthes old! Cutest picture he ever took!</p>

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<p>^^ I’m not the only one, then! D just got hers renewed and couldn’t understand my insistence on having the old one back, more for history than for cuteness. I’ll tuck it into my safe deposit box and she’ll come across it someday. Hopefully by then she’ll be glad I kept it.</p>

<p>The good news is that applications are being processed much more quickly these days than they were the last time we went through this. D got hers back within 3 weeks.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the reminder. We are thinking of visiting Canada this summer. I just checked S’s passport - he’s good for another 2+ years. But I realized that mine needs renewal next year.</p>

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<p>missypie’s post made me count. My kid is on her 4th passport. She got her present passport a week after she turned 16. Good till she is 26.</p>