Oops, just noticed your passport is expiring in 2013? Better make sure it’s up to date if you plan to leave the country. And you can’t wait until the last minute. Some foreign destinations require that a passport is valid for three to six months after entry. In other words if you are going to France in March, but your passport doesn’t expires until April or May, you still need to have it renewed now. Also passports have become necessary even if you’re flying within the country as proof of citizenship at TSA security check spots.
Renewing the book is pretty simple, and a little more costlier this year with the fee now at $110. All you have to go on line to http://travel.state.gov/passport/fees/fees_5079.html and fill out the proper form which you then download and print out. Next you need to get a properly sized passport photo to include with your submission. You can do this many places even your local Rite Aid. (And if you're skifful, you can even do your own digital photo, but it has to fit the requirements).
Your LA Travel Diva Examiner just sent her passport in for renewal. What I did was pay an extra $60 for expedited service plus $12.50 for overnight return mail. I highly recommend this is you plan to travel soon. However if you have plenty of time before your next trip, forget about it and save some bucks.
Here’s the list of fees:
U.S. Passport Book
Passport Fee
Payable to Department of State
Acceptance Fee
Payable to Acceptance Facility
Total Applicant Fee
Adults: First-Time
(Age 16 and older)
$110
$25
$135
Adults: Renewal (Applying with DS-82)
$110
$0
$110
Minors (Under age 16)
$80
$25
$105
U.S. Passport Card
Passport Fee
Payable to Department of State
Acceptance Fee
Payable to Acceptance Facility
Total Applicant Fee
Adults: First-Time
(Age 16 and older)
$30
$25
$55
Adults: Renewal (Applying with DS-82)
$30
$0
$30
Minors (Under age 16)
$15
$25
$40
Other Service Fees
Additional Visa Pages
$82
File Search Fee
$150
Expedite Processing
$60
While yours truly feels the fees are too high, the government explains that “Passport application fees are not only used to cover the costs of producing a U.S. Passport Book or Passport Card, they also cover the costs of providing emergency services for American citizens overseas in crisis situations, such as the current earthquake disaster in Haiti, helping Americans who have been the victims of crime while traveling or living abroad, and providing support to the families of American citizens who have died overseas.” Well, if that’s the case.
The government continues, “Passport application fees enable us to keep up with technology and implement fraud prevention initiatives to protect the United States passport. The security features of the U.S. passport book have received high praise from document security specialists the world over. Investing in new technology to prevent passport fraud is one of our key priorities, and an ongoing initiative.”
Value of the Passport
The U.S. Passport Book and U.S. Passport Card for adults are valid for ten years. Passports for minors under age 16 are valid for five years. The U.S. Passport is not just used for travel anymore. It serves as proof of U.S. citizenship and identity for important purposes such as work authorization and eligibility for many Federal benefits.
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