Avoid One Of The Most Common Passport Mistakes That Could Delay Your Travel Plans

Traveling is all fun and games until you get started on the preparations. From planning to bookings and, of course, packing, it can be quite stressful, but it's definitely worth it. Once you get on that plane and land at your final destination, breathing in the fresh air and taking in the culture and atmosphere, the stress just disappears. But what happens if your worst travel nightmare comes to life and your passport doesn't come back in time for your travels?  

To avoid the unnecessary drama and all the paid expenses being lost, it's best to get familiar with this common passport mistake. Many people don't realize that sending their old passport when applying for a renewal is essential. As handing in your old passport is one of the passport renewal requirements, failing to do so can result in your passport taking longer than expected and might possibly even disrupt your travel plans. Just remember that since you need to hand in your old passport, it is best to keep a copy as well as document and scan any visas in your old passport for easy reference when needed, even though, in most cases, you should receive the old copy of your passport with your new one.

If you're renewing your passport with a few months to spare, you need to hand in your old passport to make sure it is invalidated and cannot be used. Many travelers apply with a nearly expiring passport, as some destinations require your passport to be valid for at least six months to be allowed entry through their borders. This applies to Indonesia, Egypt, China, Mongolia, Vietnam, and many other countries. Unfortunately, you might be denied boarding or, even worse, denied entry and sent back — having to pay for your own return ticket. Keep that in mind when considering when to renew your passport to prevent any travel issues.

The question is: Why do you need to send your old passport in the first place? If your old passport is still valid, travelers will be left with dual passports that could easily lead to fraudulent behavior. Handing in your old passport also helps protect you from identity theft, as a lost and unused valid passport can easily go unnoticed if you have another one in use. Why would you want to have two working passports in the first place? Doesn't that sound confusing? But that doesn't mean you should throw away your old passport, as it can still serve as proof of citizenship or identity.

While it used to take six to eight weeks to renew a passport in the U.S., the wait time for application processing has been reduced to four to six weeks. This comes as a relief, as people had to wait as long as 12 to 24 weeks to receive their passports post-COVID. If you need your passport sooner, it is possible to get an expedited renewal, which takes around two to three weeks. Remember, these durations do not include mailing and start counting from the time the application and passport are received by the State Department. Also, if you're not in a hurry, the best time of year to renew your passport is autumn.

When renewing your passport, keep in mind the document checklist that includes a completed application form, proof of identity and citizenship, your old passport, passport fee, and, of course, a recent passport photo that meets all the specific requirements. Be sure to contact the passport agency or consulate if you're unsure about requirements or need any further assistance. This requires planning your travels in advance and sending in your passport with plenty of extra time to resolve any hiccups that could occur.