Passport renewal

Last trip, I noticed that my Passport would be expiring in about 6 months. SO, I decided just to go ahead and get everything in line and renew a little early...ya know, just in case ...:)

I gotta tell you, it was much easier than I expected AND much quicker. I didn't opt for the quick return...just took the standard. I am shocked...I received it in the mail today!! 17 days after I mailed it!! YEAH

It can all be done by mail as long as you meet some criteria,,,which you will find on their website (travel.state.gov)
Regular fee 110 US, plus new picture(had mine done at CVS), and mail in your old passport (as long as it is not damaged) plus the form filled out which is available for download on the site. Obviously, since such important info is enclosed, you need to mail from the post office with signature required, etc. At least, I felt that I had to fork out a bit more to assure myself that all my submitted info would make it safely.

So, happily, I can say that I am good to go for another 10 years!! :) Be sure and check your PP and if by chance it is close to the date of expiration... send it in and renew, since they seem to be quick and efficient right now! :)

One never knows when the urge will hit for a Negril fix!!

Of course, you could have gotten even better value from the old one , if you came to Negril before it expired and then applied for a new one [LOL].

True Dat!!! LOL I know that I lost a few months of use but I always like being prepared. As they say..don't put off till tomorrow what you can do today.....:) I am good to go now which brings a great big wrinkle causing smile to mi face, but I would rather have smile wrinkles (or crinkles as my grandkids say) than frown lines any day!!! :) Soon come but not soon enough for me.

Thanks for the reminder. Mine expires next month and we have a trip planned in April. I better get on it:)

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Originally Posted by Ras Walleye

Thanks for the reminder. Mine expires next month and we have a trip planned in April. I better get on it:)

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Yes, RasW, you'd better... :) There is a six month validity rule, and Jamaica is listed as one of the countries that imposes the rule... I had read this rule a few years back when mine was due, and I believe it still applies.

http://www.uspassporthelpguide.com/s...validity-rule/

My mother was almost denied entry into the US because her passport only had a month left on it, and she was only catching a connecting flight through the country to return home to Canada. She was told they impose the six month rule because they want to be sure that if anything prevents your departure (illness, accident) that your passport will still be valid when you are ready to return home. Also, that some people trying to avoid the immigration process will arrive, let their passport expire and then make the claim they can't leave.

Another thing to consider is Global Entry when handling passport affairs. It works great and gets you thru in no time with special lines at both immigration and customs. It allows you to pick flights with a shorter layover if you have to make a connection. It reminds me of traveling before all the TSA BS. Just keep in mind that the interviews are at times months out so if time is an issue it might not work for you. And do not let the interview part worry you as it was a few easy questions to confirm who you are and that was really about it.

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Originally Posted by booger

Another thing to consider is Global Entry when handling passport affairs. It works great and gets you thru in no time with special lines at both immigration and customs. It allows you to pick flights with a shorter layover if you have to make a connection. It reminds me of traveling before all the TSA BS. Just keep in mind that the interviews are at times months out so if time is an issue it might not work for you. And do not let the interview part worry you as it was a few easy questions to confirm who you are and that was really about it.

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I second that suggestion! Global Entry worked great for us on a recent trip home from Europe when the immigration lines were insane! Even when the kiosk couldn't read my fingerprints, having GE allowed us to move right to the front of the very LONG line. Totally worth having if you do a lot of international travel!

Interesting about the 6 month rule & reasons why. In 2006, the year my passport was to be renewed, I entered JA w/in 3 months of my expiration date, left 6 weeks prior to expiration. Not a word about it from anyone in JA. When I renewed, I had my new passport in a week. Pretty impressive.