The website Travel.State.Gov (a service of the Bureau of Consular Affairs) has announced that Passport Day will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2013 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. U.S. citizens can apply for or renew their passport book or passport card by visiting a Passport agency office or other facilities that accept Passport applications such as libraries or post offices.
Normally an appointment is necessary to apply for a passport, but on Passport Day citizens can visit their local Passport agency office without making an appointment. For the Metro Detroit area, the Detroit Passport office is located at 211 West Fort Street, Detroit, MI 48226-3269.
The Detroit Passport office does not offer photo services. You will need to bring your Passport photos with you. You can obtain passport photos at several locations including Walgreen’s (save $2.00 – expires March 2, 2013).
Focus is on family travel
According to the Bureau of Consular Affairs, the focus of this event is on family travel. Convenient Saturday hours will allow most parents to apply for their child’s U.S. passport without having to miss work. Parents are encouraged "to bring their children to an agency or participating acceptance facility where there will be special activities for children."
Do I need a passport book or a passport card?
A U.S. Passport book is required for everyone who is traveling internationally by air. This includes travel between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda. This also applies to newborns, infants and children. No passport is required to fly to U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
A U.S. Passport card can be used to gain entry into the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda when traveling by land or sea.
Passports for minors
Travel.State.Gov states that when applying for a passport for minors (a child under the age of 16), "both parents and the child need to appear in person or bring a notarized Minor Consent form signed by the absent parent."
Fees for new passports
The fees* for Passports for a child under the age of 16 are as follows:
Minor Passport Book and Card - $120
Minor Passport Book - $105
Minor Passport Card - $40
*Includes the $25 Execution fee
The fees* for Passports for adults are as follows:
Passport Book and Card - $165
Passport Book - $135
Passport Card - $55
*Includes the $25 Execution fee
Fees for new passport renewals
Passports acquired by individuals age 16 and older will expire 10 years after the issue date. Passports acquired by individuals age 15 and younger will expire 5 years after the issue date.
The fees* for adult Passport renewals are as follows:
Passport Book and Card - $140
Passport Book - $110
Passport Card - $30
*No Execution fee required
Learn more about passports
Travel.State.Gov reports that a live Twitter Q & A will be held by @TravelGov on Monday, March 4 from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. EST. Brenda S. Sprague (Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Passport Services) will answer questions about passports.
To submit your question, tweet @TravelGov using #AskState. Beginning March 4, join the weeklong conversation by using the hashtag, #PPTDay.
Also visit Facebook.com/TravelGov for daily passport tips and to receive referrals to other online resources.
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