How Early to Get or Renew Your Passport

Start early

Processing times change through the year, and mailing time is added on top. Check the State Department's current processing times as soon as you book, and apply right away if your passport is missing, expired or close to expiring. If you're traveling within 14 days, the State Department offers urgent travel appointments, but they aren't guaranteed.

Check your expiration date

For cruises, the State Department advises a passport that's valid at least six months past your trip, with two or more blank pages. Some countries have their own rules (Europe's Schengen area, for example, asks for three months beyond your departure), so check the country pages for every stop.

Renewing online

Many adults can renew online at the official site, opr.travel.state.gov. A few of the rules:

• You must be 25 or older, and your current passport was valid for 10 years.
• It expires within a year or expired less than five years ago.
• You can't travel for at least six weeks after you apply, and online renewal can't be expedited.

If you're traveling sooner than that, renew by mail or in person with expedited service.

Passport card or passport book?

A passport card is cheaper and works for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and parts of the Caribbean. It is not valid for international flights, so if you ever need to fly home from a port, you'll need the book. The card does work as ID for U.S. domestic flights.