Passport renewal can be confusing and a little frustrating if you don't know what you're doing. Awareness of the rules and regulations and following a few simple tips can really help alleviate some of the stress.
You will need a passport to board a plane January, 2018 if your state doesn't comply with the REAL ID Act.
Check your passport - is it current? If so - you still might not be good to go - even if it is valid for the duration of your planned trip.
For, if you are going to France, not only do you need a valid passport, but the passport needs to be valid for 6 months after your arrive - and 3 months after your scheduled departure. And, Switzerland requires that your passport is valid for 3 months after you arrive.
It is a little-known fact that you can actually get two passports if you are so inclined - and have a need. And no, it is not about having a couple of false id's.
In 2015 and before, you could get additional pages added to your passport if you were one of those lucky people that traveled extensively. But, as of 2016, you can either get a 52-page passport when you renew your passport, OR you can get an additional passport (for a fee) to accommodate your need for all of those pages.
U.S. passports are going to be different soon. The exact appearance is not yet known, but the purpose is known. They will be harder for people to forge, copy, or alter.
There will be special ink that seems to be green from some angles and gold from other angles. Some of the printing of designs will be tactile, that is, raised above the surface of the paper.
