Passport question
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: LAX
Programs: UA-½K
Posts: 153
Passport question
With the recent backlog of passport renewals in the US exceeding 4+ months, we have a bit of a travel dilemma.
Trip to Japan is planned for wife and kid at end of the year. Wife is a Japanese national, and the kid is a dual-citizen. The kid just had their Japanese passport renewed (minor to adult - only took 7 days) and since we are also going from a minor to adult US passport, we cannot renew it via mail and have to do a whole new application.
The appointment and processing times are such that there is a high risk of the new passport not being ready in time for the trip. But the old US passport expires 3 weeks *after* the return flight to the US. Sure we could cancel the appointment, but that would mean that any trip during the summer would be out of the question. It's been nearly two years and both are now jonesing to get back to the old country.
Typically, the daughter leaves the US with the US passport, uses the Japanese passport to gain entry into and exit Japan, then uses the US passport to regain entry to the US.
So two questions:
1. Since it is not a renewal, but a full-up new application, do we need to surrender the old passport? If not,
2. Would the old passport remain valid? and
3. I would assume that the US, for returning citizens, could not care less how many days are left on the validity of the US passport, provided the passport has not expired. Versus a country like Japan & Europe that want 3 months or more prior to the expiration date.
Anyone have any insight on this?
Trip to Japan is planned for wife and kid at end of the year. Wife is a Japanese national, and the kid is a dual-citizen. The kid just had their Japanese passport renewed (minor to adult - only took 7 days) and since we are also going from a minor to adult US passport, we cannot renew it via mail and have to do a whole new application.
The appointment and processing times are such that there is a high risk of the new passport not being ready in time for the trip. But the old US passport expires 3 weeks *after* the return flight to the US. Sure we could cancel the appointment, but that would mean that any trip during the summer would be out of the question. It's been nearly two years and both are now jonesing to get back to the old country.
Typically, the daughter leaves the US with the US passport, uses the Japanese passport to gain entry into and exit Japan, then uses the US passport to regain entry to the US.
So two questions:
1. Since it is not a renewal, but a full-up new application, do we need to surrender the old passport? If not,
2. Would the old passport remain valid? and
3. I would assume that the US, for returning citizens, could not care less how many days are left on the validity of the US passport, provided the passport has not expired. Versus a country like Japan & Europe that want 3 months or more prior to the expiration date.
Anyone have any insight on this?
#2
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,631
1. Yes.
2. The passport agency will be in possession of the old passport.
3. All that's needed is proof of US citizenship, for which an expired passport will suffice. The issue was with the airlines letting one board a flight to the US with an expired travel document. For a holder of another passport, that doesn't really matter. However, due to Covid, the US currently allows its citizens to return using expired passports.
Please take a look at the following thread in the Practical Travel Safety and Security Issues forum:
2. The passport agency will be in possession of the old passport.
3. All that's needed is proof of US citizenship, for which an expired passport will suffice. The issue was with the airlines letting one board a flight to the US with an expired travel document. For a holder of another passport, that doesn't really matter. However, due to Covid, the US currently allows its citizens to return using expired passports.
Please take a look at the following thread in the Practical Travel Safety and Security Issues forum:
Last edited by TWA884; Aug 17, 2021 at 7:56 am Reason: I know the difference between "it's" and "its" auto-correct does not.
#4
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With the recent backlog of passport renewals in the US exceeding 4+ months, we have a bit of a travel dilemma.
Trip to Japan is planned for wife and kid at end of the year. Wife is a Japanese national, and the kid is a dual-citizen. The kid just had their Japanese passport renewed (minor to adult - only took 7 days) and since we are also going from a minor to adult US passport, we cannot renew it via mail and have to do a whole new application.
The appointment and processing times are such that there is a high risk of the new passport not being ready in time for the trip. But the old US passport expires 3 weeks *after* the return flight to the US. Sure we could cancel the appointment, but that would mean that any trip during the summer would be out of the question. It's been nearly two years and both are now jonesing to get back to the old country.
Typically, the daughter leaves the US with the US passport, uses the Japanese passport to gain entry into and exit Japan, then uses the US passport to regain entry to the US.
So two questions:
1. Since it is not a renewal, but a full-up new application, do we need to surrender the old passport? If not,
2. Would the old passport remain valid? and
3. I would assume that the US, for returning citizens, could not care less how many days are left on the validity of the US passport, provided the passport has not expired. Versus a country like Japan & Europe that want 3 months or more prior to the expiration date.
Anyone have any insight on this?
Trip to Japan is planned for wife and kid at end of the year. Wife is a Japanese national, and the kid is a dual-citizen. The kid just had their Japanese passport renewed (minor to adult - only took 7 days) and since we are also going from a minor to adult US passport, we cannot renew it via mail and have to do a whole new application.
The appointment and processing times are such that there is a high risk of the new passport not being ready in time for the trip. But the old US passport expires 3 weeks *after* the return flight to the US. Sure we could cancel the appointment, but that would mean that any trip during the summer would be out of the question. It's been nearly two years and both are now jonesing to get back to the old country.
Typically, the daughter leaves the US with the US passport, uses the Japanese passport to gain entry into and exit Japan, then uses the US passport to regain entry to the US.
So two questions:
1. Since it is not a renewal, but a full-up new application, do we need to surrender the old passport? If not,
2. Would the old passport remain valid? and
3. I would assume that the US, for returning citizens, could not care less how many days are left on the validity of the US passport, provided the passport has not expired. Versus a country like Japan & Europe that want 3 months or more prior to the expiration date.
Anyone have any insight on this?
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: LAX
Programs: UA-½K
Posts: 153
Thanks for the tips. The return is in Jan 2022, the Passport expires on Feb 2022. So if I don't apply this trip is not threatened, but any followup trip will likely be so.
A far cry from when I renewed 3-4 years ago. 10 days turnaround with no expedite fee.
So I guess the best course of action is to do nothing, return on the old passport (still valid for 3 more weeks after return) and file for an expedited new passport and hope to get it within 5-6 months.
A far cry from when I renewed 3-4 years ago. 10 days turnaround with no expedite fee.
So I guess the best course of action is to do nothing, return on the old passport (still valid for 3 more weeks after return) and file for an expedited new passport and hope to get it within 5-6 months.
#7
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: NYC
Posts: 9,122
Best make an apt at the passport agency and get the new passport before travel. It is a fairly painless process. Not sure why you aren't doing this as it is highly likely to be less time consuming than going thru the consulate in Japan?
#9
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Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: LAX
Programs: UA-½K
Posts: 153
So I'd figure we'd apply for a renewal before the trip and I get hit with the news there's an insane delay for processing passports. At this point I'm waiting for the appointment, and considering my options.
So based upon what I read above, just keep the current travel plans, call the passport agency 2 weeks before the trip and get an emergency travel appointment - which I may not be able to get since the passport is valid during the travel period. However, it does not have the 90+ days of validity countries want to see upon entry. If I cannot get an appointment, no problem. But if I try to reapply, it appears we'll be screwed as we will be without a passport.
#10
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If you have proof of travel (plane tickets) go to a passport agency in the USA and renew the child>adult passport that way--don't apply through the mail. Normally you get the new passport the next afternoon (assuming no weekend) and the original cancelled passport (with holes punched) is returned to you at the time. Depending on the location, you might need to make an appointment and I think a small fee for fast service is applied. Be sure to have all of the necessary documents when you go.
#11
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If you have proof of travel (plane tickets) go to a passport agency in the USA and renew the child>adult passport that way--don't apply through the mail. Normally you get the new passport the next afternoon (assuming no weekend) and the original cancelled passport (with holes punched) is returned to you at the time. Depending on the location, you might need to make an appointment and I think a small fee for fast service is applied. Be sure to have all of the necessary documents when you go.
#12
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Join Date: Dec 2014
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