Brad Parsons of Glenwood, Minn., called recently with a concern: He and his wife are heading to The Bahamas in late March, but his wife’s passport will expire in May. Will that country let her in? Will the United States let her return? The concern is not idle; there are many countries — including many in Europe — that require a passport to be valid for at least three months beyond the period of the stay. Travelers can find the entry and exit requirements for a country they plan to visit by going to the State Department’s Web site. The site lists every country in the world; click on one and the entry requirements appear near the top, right under a brief description of the country. (Parsons had done that, but was still concerned because a travel agent friend told him she wasn’t sure). Another source would be the consulate for the country.The good news: The Bahamas requires only a valid passport, without concern for its expiration date. And his wife will have no problem returning to the U.S. because American citizens can return home until the day before their passport’s expiration date (if the passport expires May 8, return by May 7, for instance). I confirmed that by phoning a number that everyone who travels internationally should keep on hand: the State Department’s Hotline for American Travelers (1-202-663-1225).I suggested that Parsons bring to the airport both the hotline number and a print-out of the the State Department’s information on exit and entry requirements. Often the gate agents decide who can board a plane and, given all the information they need to keep sorted in their heads, who knows if one might be misinformed.

A reader just called asking for guidance on using a passport expediter. She’s headed to Canada — soon. We pointed her to two reliable services, A Briggs Passport and Visa and Zierer Visa Service.

I should point out that the reader is flying to and from Canada. Adults going by land or sea can still get away with a government-issued photo i.d. (usually a driver’s license) and a birth certificate; children 18 and younger need only a birth certificate. That will change June 1, 2009, when everyone entering by air, land or sea will need a passport.

We recommend getting your passports now. For information on getting a passport and to print out application forms, go to www.travel.state.gov.