Top Ten Passport Mistakes To Avoid
A passport is an essential travel document that allows you to enter and exit countries. It is crucial to make sure that your passport is valid and up-to-date before you travel and you know where it is. However, there are a number of common passport mistakes that people make and we want to make sure you do not make them so here is our top ten list and yes, we have had clients make every one of these mistakes.
Here are some of the most common passport mistakes that travelers make:
Thinking a passport card is acceptable for air travel. This is a huge pro tip. You must have a passport book to fly internationally. The US passport card was designed for both the northern and southern US border communities who were seeking to travel regularly across the land borders and not internationally by air. A regular paper passport is required for air travel internationally. Share this information with everyone you are traveling with and make sure they have a paper passport book.
Using an expired passport. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your planned departure for many destinations. Check your expiration date and the rules for the country you are visiting so you know if you can travel even if your passport isn’t technically due for renewal.
Having a damaged passport. If your passport is damaged, you will need to apply for a new one. We can not tell you how many clients we have had get denied boarding due to a less than pristine passport. Keep your passport in a place where it won’t get wet, moldy, bent, or damaged in any other way.
Not knowing that child passports are only good for five years. Scenario: Mom, Dad and 10-year-old child get passports for a family vacation. Seven years later they want to travel again for a high school graduation trip. Mom looks at her passport expiration date (good job!) and sees it is good for 3 more years. Assumes all is well. Mom does not realize her child’s passport expired 2 years prior and they are denied boarding at the airport. Remember! Check all expiration dates and get a new child passport after 5 years! (Adults are valid for 10 years.)
Forgetting where you keep your passports. You would be amazed at how many people can not find their passports when it is time to travel. Keep it in the same (secure) place after every use. Preferably in a fireproof safe at home. Bank deposit boxes sound like a good idea until you have an 8AM flight on a Monday and don’t think about the bank being closed on Sunday.
Grabbing the wrong passport before heading to the airport. We have seen it all. Family passports are all in the safe. Mom and Dad going on vacation without the kids. Dad grabs his and Mom’s passports and hits the road. Upon arrival at the airport, realizes he grabbed his and their daughter’s. Mom’s passport is still at home. (How do you think that ended for him??)
Not having enough blank pages. Some countries require blank pages in your passport to stamp entry visas. Keep an eye on your blank pages if you travel often. You can always request more prior to your passport expiring
Not checking how the name appears on the passport. When you go by a name that is not on your passport, it is easy to forget that you are James and not Jim. Your airline ticket MUST match your passport exactly. Identically. Get it out. Check it. Give that exact name to your travel advisor so your airline ticket can match and you won’t get denied boarding. While you have it out, re-check the expiration date. Also, your driver’s license often has a different name than your passport so be sure to give your passport name and nothing else. You should not need to show any other form of ID to travel outside of the country and your passport trumps all.
Falling for a scam. If you need to renew your passport or apply for one, make sure you use the official website - travel.state.gov to get the correct information. Scammers sometimes set up fake websites or send messages pretending to be from a trusted government department. If your identity is stolen or misused, you may need to cancel your passport. You can also apply at your local post office but an appointment may be required.
Not double-checking everything. Before you submit your passport application, be sure to double-check all of your information. This includes your name, date of birth, and passport number. Any mistakes could delay the processing of your application and turn around time is already long enough!
Here are some other common passport mistakes:
To avoid making passport mistakes, it is important to carefully read the instructions and requirements before you start your application. You should also allow plenty of time for processing, and be sure to double-check all of your information before you submit your application.
Applying too close to your departure date. It can take several weeks or even months to process a passport application, so it is important to apply well in advance of your trip.
Not having a passport photo that meets the requirements. Passport photos have strict requirements, so be sure to check the guidelines before you take your photo.
Missing proper documents for the application. You will need to provide a number of documents with your passport application, such as your birth certificate, driver's license, and a recent passport photo. Make sure you have all of the required documents before you start your application.
Not filling out the form correctly. The passport application form is a legal document, so it is important to fill it out correctly. Any errors or omissions could result in your application being denied.
Lastly, more additional tips to help you avoid passport mishaps:
Start your application early. This will give you plenty of time to gather all of the required documents and to avoid any last-minute delays.
Read the instructions carefully. The passport application form is a legal document, so it is important to fill it out correctly.
Double-check your information. Before you submit your application, be sure to double-check all of your information, including your name, date of birth, and passport number.
Get help if you need it. If you are not sure how to fill out the application form or if you have any questions, you can contact the U.S. Department of State for assistance.
If you are traveling to multiple countries, check the visa requirements for each country. Some countries require that you have a visa in your passport before you can enter.
If you are traveling with children, they will need their own passports. Children's passports have different requirements than adult passports, so be sure to check the guidelines before you apply.
If you are traveling for business, you may need a passport with a visa waiver. A passport with a visa waiver allows you to enter certain countries without having to apply for a visa in advance.
By following these tips, you can help to ensure that your passport application is processed smoothly and that you have a valid passport for your upcoming trip.