passport expiring 4 mo after wedding

beckilee37

My passport expires Sept 2012 and we are leaving for the honeymoon in May. I feel like I've read they have to be active for at least 6 months past your travel date, but I had wanted to wait to renew it with my new last name. Has anyone else heard this 6 mo thing? When should I renew it?

meganb1977

I'm not sure, but I would think you could find out the regulations pretty easily if you Google it.

WildMagelet

It depends on the country you're visiting.

Check travel.state.gov and select your country for important information regarding entry requirements.  You may also consider visiting the website for the consulate of the country you're visiting.

beckilee37

Thanks flutterbride2b, thats helpful. I didn't realize it differed on country. We are going to Australia and that websitejust says a valid passport - nothing about a date. I do remember it having to be valid 6 mo after travel date to travel to Mexico though when I went last year. 

strlzfan11

As long as you renew it within a year from your wedding, you can process the name change for free once your wedding actually becomes legalized.

sunshine_day_dreams

^^ What strlz said.  To be on the safe side, I'd probably renew it now.  Then you can process the name change for free once you're married (so long as it's within one year).  I personally would have more peace of mind that way.  How much would it suck if you flew all the way to Australia and they wouldn't let you in the country?

alithebride

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_passport-expiring-4-mo-after-wedding?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:11Discussion:09b36fb3-117a-4b30-9107-7a5d063ed27cPost:06a6737d-8d1a-4445-bd67-544d16531729">Re: passport expiring 4 mo after wedding</a>:
[QUOTE]As long as you renew it within a year from your wedding, you can process the name change for free once your wedding actually becomes legalized.
Posted by strlzfan11[/QUOTE]

not true. the rule is you have a year from the passports DATE OF ISSUANCE to change your name for free, not a year from your wedding date.

yes-the entry requirements for each country are on the travel.state.gov website.
to be on the safe side though i'd probably renew it now, in your maiden name and then, since the date of issuance would be now you could still update for free within a year of that date when you return.

strlzfan11

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_passport-expiring-4-mo-after-wedding?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:11Discussion:09b36fb3-117a-4b30-9107-7a5d063ed27cPost:14032442-7d07-41a9-b6c8-fd472d523017">Re: passport expiring 4 mo after wedding</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: passport expiring 4 mo after wedding : not true. the rule is you have a year from the passports DATE OF ISSUANCE to change your name for free, not a year from your wedding date. yes-the entry requirements for each country are on the travel.state.gov website. to be on the safe side though i'd probably renew it now, in your maiden name and then, since the date of issuance would be now you could still update for free within a year of that date when you return.
Posted by alithebride[/QUOTE]

If you go back and read what I said, I said that you process the renewal (which is the new date of issuance) it up to a year before your wedding you can process the name change for free.  I mentioned the wedding date because that's when her name will change.  So if her wedding is in 6 months, she should renew it now and she will have about 6 months after she gets back her certified license to change the name on her passport withour incurring any additional fees.

j_jaye

You will be fine for Australia. As long as the passport is valid for your entire stay we will let you in!

hz80408

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_passport-expiring-4-mo-after-wedding?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:11Discussion:09b36fb3-117a-4b30-9107-7a5d063ed27cPost:c80c4746-80c7-4fad-9105-cee88b0b090d">Re: passport expiring 4 mo after wedding</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: passport expiring 4 mo after wedding : If you go back and read what I said, I said that you process the renewal (which is the new date of issuance) it up to a year before your wedding you can process the name change for free.  I mentioned the wedding date because that's when her name will change.  So if her wedding is in 6 months, she should renew it now and she will have about 6 months after she gets back her certified license to change the name on her passport withour incurring any additional fees.
Posted by strlzfan11[/QUOTE]

However, the renewal fee is the same as getting a new passport fee.

OP, if I were you, I'd just go to AU on your current maiden name passport.  Post wedding/name change, I'd apply to get a passport with your new name.  I wouldn't spend the time to work on this or think about it before the wedding since it won't save you any money anyways.

beckilee37

Ladies, thanks so much for all your input. It was really helpful!

Lisa50

The suggestion is 6 months, but there is no law  which forbids travel with only 4 months remaining until renewal time.