It is especially important to check the passports of any minors who may be traveling. Passports for minors have a shorter validity period (5 years) than passports for adults (10 years) and thus may expire sooner.The Bureau of Consular Affairs has updated its Schengen Fact Sheet on www.travel.state.gov.t is especially important to check the passports of any minors who may be traveling. Passports for minors have a shorter validity period (5 years) than passports for adults (10 years) and thus may expire sooner. The Bureau of Consular Affairs has updated its Schengen Fact Sheet on www.travel.state.gov.