LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky travelers planning international trips during the holidays or next year should begin checking their passport expiration dates now to avoid travel delays, according to an advisory from AAA released during National Passport Awareness Month.
The organization is urging travelers to verify their passport validity, review destination-specific entry requirements and allow sufficient time for renewals. Lori Weaver Hawkins, public and government affairs manager for AAA Club Alliance, cautioned that many travelers overlook a critical requirement. “Many travelers don’t realize that several destinations require passports to be valid for months beyond their travel dates,” she said. “Checking your passport now can help avoid last-minute stress and ensure you’re ready when travel opportunities arise.”
Demand for passports remains at historic levels. The U.S. Department of State issued a record 27.3 million passport books and cards during fiscal year 2025, up from 24.5 million the previous year. More than 183 million valid U.S. passports were in circulation at the end of fiscal 2025.
Processing times present another concern for travelers. Routine passport processing is currently estimated at four to six weeks after an application is received, according to the State Department. That timeframe does not include mailing, which could add as much as two weeks before an application arrives and another two weeks for the completed passport to be delivered.
Many foreign destinations require a passport to remain valid for at least six months beyond the travel dates, meaning a passport valid at the time of a planned trip may still fail to meet entry requirements. Adult passports issued to people 16 and older are generally valid for 10 years, while passports for children under 16 are valid for five years.
AAA recommends that travelers with passports expiring this year begin the renewal process immediately. Travelers can check passport status at passportstatus.state.gov.
AAA offers several resources to assist with international travel. AAA Travel Advisors can help navigate destination-specific passport requirements, including the six-month validity rule. The auto club also provides passport photos at discounted rates for members at AAA retail locations, offers 10% discounts on expedited passport services through RushMyPassport, and can assist with international driving permits and foreign currency exchange.
Sources
This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from Lane Report (KY Business), enriched with 2 web searches. The original source is available at https://www.lanereport.com/189321/2026/09/aaa-kentucky-passport-renewal-travel-tips-2026/.
