For international travelers, passports carry a sense of freedom and possibility. If you don’t have all your ducks in a row, though, they can actually keep you from getting where you need to be. Something as simple as forgetting to request a passport name change can completely derail an international trip.
We checked in with five international travel experts about the most common passport mistakes so you can plan ahead and safeguard your itinerary. For more on how to avoid travel headaches, see our guide to beating flight delays and cancellations .
Traveling with an expired (or almost expired) passport
This is far and away the most common mistake people make when traveling internationally, according to the pros we spoke to. While some countries only require three months of passport validity after your departure date, others require six . This means your passport will need to be valid for at least three to six months beyond the full dates of your trip, not from your trip’s start date.
“Most people assume that as long as their passports are not yet expired, they’re fine,” says Mark Damsgaard, founder of Global Residence Index . But “if your passport doesn’t meet the validity rule of the country you’re visiting, the airline won’t let you board,” he says.
“Plenty of travelers don’t realize there’s a validity rule until they’re standing at the check-in counter,” says Kendra Wagner, founder and luxury travel adviser at Kendra Wagner Travel . “This one can end the trip before it starts.”
To avoid the letdown, Damsgaard recommends starting your passport renewal now if it expires within the next nine months. If you have upcoming travel already booked, you may need to extend this timeline even further. Routine passport renewals usually take four to six weeks, according to the U.S. Department of State .
Passport name change issues and other discrepancies
“Even small differences between the passport and booking can cause problems at check-in,” says Patrick Hill, head of Paramount Cruises . This can range from a mismatched last name to a simple typo, but Hill says “name mismatches on bookings” is one of the most common issues he sees among international travelers.
If you changed your last name after getting married, for example, a passport name change may be in order. Regardless of the reason, just make sure your passport reflects your current legal moniker. Anything that creates a discrepancy between what’s on your airline booking and your passport can render you ineligible for boarding or entry. Before you fly, do what you can to ensure everything’s consistent. All these details should also match what’s on your travel visa or visa waiver, if you have either.
Your passport also needs to match the info connected to your TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or Clear+ registration.
Not checking entry requirements for your destination
Another often-overlooked passport mistake is failing to obtain necessary visas or travel authorizations for the country (or countries) you’re visiting. While you might think you can just get a passport, book a flight and go, this isn’t the case for many parts of the world. In fact, places like the U.K. and EU have started implementing travel authorization requirements for U.S. citizens , who used to be exempt.
To stay in the clear, Damsgaard recommends checking whether you need a visa, visa waiver or travel authorization ahead of your trip. While some visas are issued upon arrival, others must be pre-approved. Even if you think you have a visa for a certain country, double-check that it’s still valid and allows multiple entries (some are single-entry only). Visas can usually be found inside your passport.
“Even people who travel a lot will assume somewhere is visa-free, or think they can sort it out on arrival, and then realize they actually needed to apply ahead of time,” says Jane Hermstedt, founder of Niveus Travel . Unfortunately, “that’s usually not something you can fix last-minute,” she says.
Overlooking passport requirements for kids
If you’re traveling internationally with kids, you’ll need to be extra careful about checking their passport requirements, as they differ from those for adults.
“One of the biggest passport mistakes parents make is not checking their kids' passport expiration dates early enough,” says Marcie Cheung, founder of Hawaii Travel with Kids . “Those passports are only valid for five years,” she says, which applies to all kids below the age of 16, according to USAgov . There’s also no passport renewal process for kids in this age group. Instead, “you have to basically apply for a new passport” every time, says Cheung, which “catches a lot of parents off guard, even seasoned travelers.”
Hermstedt says things can also get tricky when a child travels out of the country with one parent, but not the other. “A lot of people don’t realize they may be asked for a notarized letter of consent” from the other parent in addition to a valid passport, she says. “It doesn’t always happen, but when it does, it can stop a trip right there.”
Not having enough blank pages left in your passport
If you’re an experienced globetrotter, you may be proud of your passport book full of stamps. Unfortunately, a full-to-the-brim passport can actually cause problems, especially if you’re heading out on a multi-destination journey.
“This is a big one for cruises in particular, especially longer itineraries where you’re visiting multiple countries,” says Hill. (And yes, passports are required for most cruises .) Some countries require two to four blank visa or stamp pages in your passport booklet, according to the State Department , and some airlines won’t let you board if your passport is too full.
It’s worth noting that some countries are doing away with traditional passport stamping in favor of biometric data, such as facial recognition and fingerprint scans, but having a passport with plenty of space is still important for now.
Traveling with a damaged passport
A Canadian woman was recently denied entry to Costa Rica and detained for 24 hours because her passport was damaged, according to CTV News . Based on a photo of the passport included with the story, the damage was minimal, and the traveler says her puppy was responsible.
Regardless of why or how your passport is damaged — torn pages, stains or bite marks from a teething pup — you may want to request a new one before traveling overseas. A little wear and tear is expected (especially since most U.S. passports are valid for 10 years), but more obvious damage could raise concerns or derail your plans.
Underestimating how serious passport issues can be
Having a problem with your passport while traveling might seem like a small issue with an easy fix, but it’s really not. If you don’t have the required documents for your destination, you could be denied boarding at the airport — or denied entry upon arrival.
This can lead to major inconveniences like sunk travel costs, as well as even more serious issues like detention in a foreign country. For example, the U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Spain and Andorra states that travelers “deemed ineligible to enter Spain” are typically held in immigration detention at the airport until a return flight is available. A recent story from the BBC describes tourists from the Isle of Man being detained in a variety of countries due to passport confusion.
“If there’s one habit I recommend,” says Damsgaard, it’s to “verify everything based on your passport, your destination and your exact travel dates — every single trip.”
FAQs
How long does it take to correct a mistake on a passport?
The timeline for correcting a passport error depends on the issue. Standard passport renewals usually take four to six weeks , though they can be expedited for an additional fee. This is usually what’s required if any of the information on your passport is incorrect or out of date, or if the document has expired. You can apply to renew your passport online through the State Department.
However, other issues, like having the wrong visa for your destination country, are much more complicated, and there’s no clear timeline (or guarantee) for a solution.
Can I still travel with an error on my passport?
In most cases, traveling with an error on your passport is unwise. Chances are, you’ll be denied boarding at the airport (costing you the price of your flights) or denied entry to your destination country, which can lead to a host of more serious issues.
If you notice an issue with your passport, do what you can to correct it before traveling internationally. For tricky timelines, consider booking refundable tickets or waiting to nail down your itinerary until after you’ve sorted out your passport woes. You can also opt for expedited passport processing by paying an added fee.
How long is a passport valid after expiration?
U.S. passports are not valid after their expiration date. In fact, it’s considered risky to travel with a passport that’s set to expire any time within three months of your return date. Depending on where you’re traveling, it may even need to be valid for a full six months after your trip ends. To renew an expired passport, visit the State Department website .
How long does it take to get a passport?
Applying for a new U.S. passport usually takes the same amount of time as renewing an expired passport (about four to six weeks). With expedited processing, you can receive your passport within two to three weeks, according to the State Department. There’s also an option for urgent renewal if you’re traveling internationally within 14 days, but you’ll need to make an appointment at a passport agency to request this service. If you recently ordered a new passport, you can check your passport renewal status online.
