Spring cleaning is a rite around the world, and it feels good to have your life at least seem more in order. And while you’re cleaning, how about a quick passport check?

The first order of business: where is the passport? Yes, I know, most passports “live” in the same place all the time. Except when they don’t. As a travel agent I can’t count the number of frantic calls I have received when clients go to get their passport before a trip, and it’s not where it should be.

Next, what is the expiration date? This issue particularly can be a problem for children’s passports, which are good for only five years. A family assured me last year their passports were current to fly to Vancouver for a cruise; they discovered the week before that their son’s had expired. They saved the trip only after a two-hour drive to the nearest passport office, plus a lot of waiting time, and a rush fee.

Then, where is your next destination? Some countries, including England, require six months validity on a passport beyond the entry date. Otherwise they will deny entry. Seriously.

Also, make sure your passport has a few blank pages. Some countries want a clean page to stamp their authority to enter. No space, no entry. And still other countries want clean pages for a visa. You can mail your passport in and get extra pages, but you need them before requesting a visa.

Finally, if you have had any name changes, through marriage, divorce, or any other reason, does your current name match your passport? I just dealt with a divorced woman who gave me her “legal” name for a ticket, except that she forgot that her eight-year-old passport had her old married name on it. Fortunately an amused Delta agent in a good mood allowed us to change the ticket.

A passport check should take only a couple minutes now. And it could save you hours, stress and money before your next trip.