Perhaps a dumb question:

I got a passport in 2003, and its valid until 2013.

Someone mentioned something about passport laws changing? (in the interest of homeland security / post-9/11)?

but that wouldn't affect existing passports, right?

thanks!

-ZiP!-

4/30/2006 3:24:39 PM

I got mine in 2003 as well and went to Germany in 2004/beginning 2005 and it was fine, is this a recent change you are talking about?

4/30/2006 3:27:18 PM

someone said that perhaps they aren't valid for as long now? (but, even still, if the expiration date isn't up yet, i'd assume they'd be forced to allow it)

but that could be a guess.

if it was fine last year, its probably fine now, thanks

-ZiP!-

4/30/2006 3:42:29 PM

No it will not affect existing passports. your passport is still valid until 2013. I travel regularly on a pre 9/11 passport without any problems whatsoever (and at times to places that are not particularly welcoming).

What you may be referring to is the changes that are/ have recently gone into effect regarding travel to Canada or Mexico?

4/30/2006 3:43:58 PM

no, neither of those countries actually. thanks for the confirmation though about the dates.

-ZiP!-

4/30/2006 3:46:08 PM

there have been changes made in the way that they issue passports, and now they have some data chips

4/30/2006 4:06:09 PM

^ They haven't changed the passports yet. I got mine replaced 2 weeks ago and it's the same as my old one.

4/30/2006 4:32:24 PM

No, nothing has affected existing passports. I got mine back in '96 and just used it a month ago. It expires in two weeks though. Time to get another.

5/1/2006 7:13:20 AM

i just got mine last week and it says on it that it expires in 2016

5/1/2006 10:27:56 AM

how long does it take to get a renewed passport?

mine expired 2 yrs ago and i just recently found out i have a cruise to go on june 2nd...would it take more than a month to get it?

5/1/2006 11:03:02 AM

a cruise to where?
up until December 2006 you can still use just a certified copy of your birth certificate AND a state-issued ID for your documentation ON A CRUISE ONLY - this is NOT applicable for air transportation to the carribean.

As far as passports changing - lead-time to GET your passport has changed - now like 8 weeks (unless you pay to expedite it) and prices have increased.
The only other thing is that more countries are REQUIRING passports - i.e. canada, mexico, etc.

Passports are still good for 10 years as long as you are over 18. (Valid for 5 years if younger)

5/1/2006 12:05:14 PM

^i was worried that i was going to have to expedite my passport but it ended up getting here in 4 1/2 weeks

5/1/2006 12:07:09 PM

NYC AIN'T BIG ENOUGH FOR THE BOTH OF -ZiP!- and BIG JOSEPH

5/1/2006 12:09:43 PM

haha

this is true!

-ZiP!-

5/1/2006 12:12:22 PM

yeah, but jataylor - would you want to take that risk and not get it in time?

5/1/2006 12:18:30 PM

SUSPEND.

5/1/2006 12:21:20 PM

yea i was taking that risk, if you get it expedited they will get it to you in 3 days. my trip is may 10th so if it wasnt here by 5/5 i was going to call and get it expidated. but yea it is 60 bucks that i really wouldnt have wanted to spend

5/1/2006 12:21:47 PM

If you're up for a road trip, you can drive to a passport office and get one the same day. Of course, there isn't a passport office near Raleigh.

5/1/2006 12:24:26 PM

yea i think the closest one is DC

5/1/2006 12:30:01 PM

Quote :

"a cruise to where? up until December 2006 you can still use just a certified copy of your birth certificate AND a state-issued ID for your documentation ON A CRUISE ONLY - this is NOT applicable for air transportation to the carribean."

awesome...we are just going to key west and the bahamas

5/1/2006 1:13:36 PM

Quote :

"up until December 2006 you can still use just a certified copy of your birth certificate AND a state-issued ID for your documentation ON A CRUISE ONLY - this is NOT applicable for air transportation to the carribean."

Source plz? I'm going on a trip in May to Jamaica and was told that a birth ceritifcate and ID were enough enough Dec 06. I applied for a passport to be on the safe side, but if it doesnt come in time that was my fall-back.

5/1/2006 1:21:11 PM

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/beforeyouboard/passportGuidelines.do;jsessionid=0000sEAhIkJ7Jnm0zHoj_bz3ISM:10ktdmnut

Quote :

"Effective December 31, 2006 the U.S. Government's Intelligence Reform Bill requires passports for all air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda."

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport/faq/cruiseDocsFaq.do;jsessionid=0000sEAhIkJ7Jnm0zHoj_bz3ISM:10ktdmnut

Quote :

"U.S. Citizens: A passport (valid or expired) is highly recommended as it will speed-up your check-in formalities as well as your departure procedures with government officials (if you would like to find out how to obtain a passport, you can do so at the U.S.Department of State Passport Services and Information website). In the absence of a passport, a birth certificate (original, notarized copy or certified copy), plus a picture ID card issued by a federal, state or local government agency is required. A voter registration card or Social Security Card are not considered to be proof of citizenship. Children under 16 years of age do not require a picture ID. Visas are not required for U.S. citizens."

[Edited on May 1, 2006 at 5:45 PM. Reason : clear]

5/1/2006 5:45:03 PM

yeah, we're going to jamaica next week, and my bf went ahead and got a passport cause we've heard you can have a lot of unnecessary trouble with just a birth certificate. as far as i know, the only changes have been in the carribbean and stuff... they're going to start requiring passports soon

5/1/2006 11:33:19 PM