AAA: Check Your Passport Now or Risk Travel Delays Later

BALTIMORE, MD (September 18, 2026) – Travelers dreaming about their next international getaway may want to start with a less glamorous but critical task: checking their passport.

As National Passport Awareness Month begins, AAA is urging Americans to verify passport expiration dates, review destination-specific entry requirements and renew travel documents well before booking overseas travel. Waiting too long could lead to costly delays, canceled trips or denied entry into certain countries.

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"Many travelers don't realize that several destinations require passports to be valid for months beyond their travel dates," said Ragina Cooper Ali, Public and Government Affairs Manager for AAA Club Alliance in Maryland and Washington, D.C. "Checking your passport now can help avoid last-minute stress and ensure you're ready when travel opportunities arise. Plus, for domestic air travel, a valid U.S. passport or passport card is also an acceptable alternative to a REAL ID-compliant driver's license."

Passport demand remains historically high. The U.S. Department of State issued 27.3 million passport books and cards in fiscal year 2025, up from 24.5 million in 2024 and the highest annual total in State Department history. More than 183 million valid U.S. passports were in circulation at the end of fiscal year 2025.

Right now, the U.S. Department of State, which issues U.S. passports, is reporting routine processing times of 4 to 6 weeks once the application has been received. This does not take into account mailing times, which could take up to two weeks to reach the State Department and up to two additional weeks to receive the completed passport.

Passport Books vs. Passport Cards

·Passport books allow you to travel internationally by air, sea, or land.

·Passport cards allow you to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico,some Caribbean destinations, and Bermuda by land or sea. Passport cards are not valid for international travel by air (including Canada and Mexico). They can be used to cross land borders faster from Mexico and Canada at Ready Lanes.

·Both a U.S. passport book and passport card are acceptable TSA identification for domestic flights.

6 Passport Tips Every International Traveler Should Know:

1.Don't miss out on International Travel. U.S. citizens are required to carry a valid U.S. passport when flying, but they also must carry it when driving or even walking across the border to Canada or Mexico. U.S. passport cards can only be used for land and sea travel/entry to Canada and Mexico, not air travel. If you don't have one or your passport will expire before year's end, AAA advises you to submit your passport application or renewal for upcoming holiday travel or 2027 trips.

2.Passports are issued by the U.S. Department of State. Routine processing times of 4 to 6 weeks once the application has been received. This does not take into account mailing times, which could take up to two weeks to reach the State Department and up to two additional weeks to receive the completed passport. Expedited service options are available at an additional charge. Anyone planning to travel should visit the U.S. State Department website to initiate the process as soon as possible.

3.Passport validity lengths vary: Adult passports (age 16 and older) are valid for 10 years, while minor passports (under age 16) are valid for 5 years.

4.Some countries require at least six months of passport validity beyond the dates of travel. Just because a passport does not expire until after planned vacation does not mean travelers have a useable document. Many countries have a 'six months passport rule', meaning that traveler passports must continue to be valid for at least 6 months after the trip. AAA is advising any traveler whose passport expires this year to begin the renewal process immediately.

5.Passport processing requires travelers to temporarily surrender their birth certificate (new applicants) or their current/expired passport (renewals). While those documents will be returned after the new passports have been issued, anyone who needs their birth certificate or uses their passport for identification unrelated to foreign travel should be sure to have a backup form of identification in the interim.

6.Travelers can monitor their application status online. Whether travelers have applied in person or renewed by mail, they can check their passport status at passportstatus.state.gov.

AAA International Travel Resources

While AAA does not process passport applications, the auto club provides travelers with resources to make the passport process and other aspects of international travel easier.

·Trusted Travel Advisors – Beyond trip planning and booking, AAA Travel Advisors can help travelers navigate and understand any unique passport requirements related to their destination, such as the 6-month passport rule.

·Passport Photos – Visit a AAA Storefor quick and convenient passport photos. No appointment necessary. AAA members receive them at a discount, and Premier members receive them at no additional cost.

·RushMyPassport – AAA members receive 10% off expedited U.S. passport and global travel visa services through RushMyPassport.

·International Driving Permits (IDPs)– AAA encourages travelers in need of an International Driving Permit to apply as soon as they confirm travel plans. Visit a AAA Store to apply for an International Driving Permit.

·Foreign Currency Exchange – AAA Retail locations offer most foreign currencies. Travelers are encouraged to exchange at least 10 days in advance to ensure they have some money on hand when they arrive at their destination.

Read about The Most Common Passport Mistakes at AAA.com/TheExtraMile.

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