New US Passport Fees Effective JULY 13!

[milimelo 4,477]

Ok, definitely have issues posting, it won't allow me to attach anything...

Info: At the time of the request for the new passport, you can indicate you want the 52-page passport book, instead of the regular, 28-page passport book. There are no extra fees involved for this change.

Please check out this link>>>>> http://travel.state.gov/passport/fees/fees_5079.html

as it distorts table here when I do copy/paste.

Edited July 1, 2010 by milimelo

[chichai 0]

Thanks for the heads up!

[Kathryn41 3,205]

That's a huge increase - just like the other Consular Fees that are increasing at the same time .

New passport fees for the U.S. Passport Book, the U.S. Passport Card, and other passport services will be in effect on Tuesday, July 13, 2010.

http://travel.state..../fees_5079.html

PASSPORT BOOK:

Adults (first time) will be $135.00

Adults (renewal) will be $110.00

Children will be $105.00

PASSPORT CARD:

Adults (first time) will be $55.00

Adults (renewal) will be $30.00

Children will be $40.00

Use of Passport Fees

Passport application fees are not only used to cover the costs of producing a U.S. Passport Book or Passport Card. Passport fees 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.

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.

Passport fees fund the expansion of passport infrastructure and service, allowing us to offer more timely service to the traveling public, maintain high standards for adjudication in accordance with US citizenship laws, and provide appropriate attention to fraud vulnerabilities.

Over the last few years, the demand for passports has increased to an average of 15 million per year. In FY 2005, we issued 10.1 million passports; peaked at 18.4 million in FY 2007; and expect to issue over 15 million in FY 2010. To increase our presence in underserved areas, the Department has undertaken a systematic expansion of the passport network, particularly in communities affected by the land border-crossing requirements associated with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. By the end of FY 2010, we will have 23 agencies providing emergency passport services to the general public, three high-volume application processing centers, and two large-scale document print centers.

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.

Edited July 2, 2010 by Kathryn41

[Sand 5]

http://travel.his.com/passport/fees/fees_5079.html

[Kathryn41 3,205]

duplicate threads merged

[NickD 202]

More like 200 bucks when the agents fees and expedient service is requested. And while the government is claiming zero per cent inflation, seeing drastic increases in all governmental services like vehicle registration, licenses like marriage, hunting and fishing, state park fees, many more items for sales tax, and increases in property taxes.

USCIS already had drastic price increases, so why not the DOS? And do we really need a 58 page book when the airlines rates have increased drastically as well? If that isn't bad enough, wife and daughter came back from a trip last week. Said something was wrong with the plane and had to sit in that plane for 3 1/2 hours missing their connection. Lines were extremely long, but couldn't get booked for another flight for 24 hours, so added another 250 bucks to their trip staying in an airport motel where they really rob you blind.

Just bend over and take it like a man.

[antda 13]

Thanks for posting the article...

Lol...Yet another reason not to apply for a passport....

It's too darn expensive!

What justifies this incease anyways?

Lol..Sorry, but the earthquakes and other reasons mentioned in the article, simply don't justify for such...Umm..Isn't that what they are supposed to do anyways, despite the increase in fees? Lame excuses, really......

And didn't they have an increase in February and now they want to increase it again in July...Gee....I guess they must be really desperate for money...The cost of living certainly didn't increase that quickly.....

Seriously...Say NO to passports! It's a rip-off!

On the bright side, at least the you get 10 years for the US one...(versus 5 for the Canadian one for the same price), so time-wise, I guess the American one is the better deal....

And one would think too, that the $675 in US naturalization/citizenship fees that they would throw in free a US passport too, since one can't travel with that certificate...I guess not...And what justifies $675 for 1 piece of paper anyways?

Nevertheless....I'm still not getting a US passport yet...

A passport "luxury" item that eventually nobody can afford, with its increasing rates!

Ant

P.S. I opted for a NYS EDL instead.....It's only $80 for 8 years..and it is good for sea and land travel (to Canada, and some other Carribean countries), identification purposes, and is part of a driver's license too. 2 for 1 deal here.

For air purposes, NEXUS cards for $50 for 5 years...and is good for sea, land, and air travel (to Canada, and some other Carribean countries) and identification purposes....

And yes, both cards do prove US Citizenship too..

Unfortnately, all other international travel still requires a passport.....

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

As a new citizen, the first thing you would want to get is a passport. Eventually you'll need it and it won't get any cheaper in the future, trust me.

[antda 13]

As a new citizen, the first thing you would want to get is a passport. Eventually you'll need it and it won't get any cheaper in the future, trust me.

Just Bob- Lol..That's how I felt about citizenship....."It isn't going to get any cheaper, so might as well do it asap!" (and heck, I even explained about that in my application letter and interview....the IO didn't know what to think...lol...)

So yeah, I spent $675...Hoping that if I spent that much now, that it would be a bargain in comparison to what I might have to pay later if I waited any longer for citizenship...

(I still would have done it anyways...but the fee increases sped up my timeline..lol...guess that was one of the motivating factors for one to get citizenship...lol...)

It works the same way with anything government-related...."Might as well get it now, before they increase the price again.."

But after citizenship...a PASSPORT IS OPTIONAL, depending on your needs...

For example, all a naturalized citizen needs to prove US Citizenship is their naturalization certificate..

And that's it..Nobody should ask to see anything more that that..

And once all the other government agencies, businesses, etc. see the naturalization certificate to prove US Citizenship, then one should put it in a safe place, so that it doesn't get lost/damaged/stolen, etc...(lol..and shell out another $400+ for a replacement)

However, if you are travelling internationally, then yes, a passport is needed, regardless....

So I agree, if one wants/needs to travel internationally, might as well apply for a passport asap, before the rates go up

And again, there are other options too, for non-international travel too (EDL, NEXUS, etc.) that are less expensive and work just as well too..

And NOTHING justifies those government related fees increases.....So yes, it is definitely unfair there!

Nevertheless, good luck to all with the rest of your journeys and travels too..

Ant

[antda 13]

P.S. Btw....My husband has been a US Citizen his entire life (through birth)...And he doesn't have a US Passport....

I've beeen a naturalized US Citzen for the past few months or so....And I don't have a US passport...

My son has been a US Citizen his entire life (through birth)....And he doesn't have a US passport...

Lol..My point: You don't need a US Passport to prove US Citizenship!

No problems.....A US Birth Certificate and/or A US Naturalization Certificate will suffice...

Ant

Edited July 4, 2010 by Ant+D+BabyA

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Ant,

1) The citizenship certificate identifies and -- dare I say -- discriminates you as a naturalized citizen, a foreign-born alien, a second-class citizen. Therefore, you want you passport now!

2) Once that super-cheap last minute flight is up for sale, you are diagnosed with a terminal illness or -- God forbid -- bombs are raining down on us and you want the hell out of the US ASAP, it's a bit late to apply for a passport. You want it now!

You spent THOUSANDS of Dollars on your immigration, and now you are holding back on the final cost of a passport? Don't you want to see some parts of the World before you kick the bucket?

[CaptainPenguin 5]

Lol...Yet another reason not to apply for a passport....

It's too darn expensive!

Seriously...Say NO to passports! It's a rip-off!

Nevertheless....I'm still not getting a US passport yet...

A passport "luxury" item that eventually nobody can afford, with its increasing rates!

I have to say I totally disagree with you on this one and will have to side with Just Bob and his comments. A passport is an absolute must and by far the best way to prove your citizenship without disclosing too much information about yourself. I could not live without a passport, I really love where I live but I also love to travel and also do it for a living. Besides, just like 'Just Bob' mentioned what if you find an awesome deal to go somewhere or have to visit family ? Think about it this way, even with the new fees a passport will run you $1.12 per month ! I would not consider that to be a luxury item, what can you do to save up that money and instead spend it on your passport ? Buy one less soda a month ? Turn off the lights for an extra five minutes a day ? Maybe better plan your driving so you save half a gallon (ca 10 miles) a month ? Skip a candy bar every five weeks ? I really don't think it would kill most people.

[NickD 202]

Place of birth on your US passport certainly hints you may be naturalized. Just about the only government issued form of ID that does.

May be fun to visit other parts of the world, as long as you remember not to drink the water, take that for granted here. Also have to be careful about drinking other stuff that comes in a bottle, may make you do something stupid and land up in some hole they call a jail. Best not to drink at all.

What about a kid born of US citizens in a foreign country, is his place of birth in that country as well? Not sure what they are doing now in this respect, that happened to my dad that gave him a major complex especially since we were at war with the country he was born in. In this case, a kid born here from illegal parents is far better off than a kid born from natural born US citizens in a foreign country is far better off.

But the bottom line of all this, is the most important aspect of this is where you were born, something even that kid of illegal parents has no control over. So why is where you were born made such an important issue? I feel the reason for this, is the leaders that make this an important point are smoking crack. Either that, or they are idiots.

[antda 13]

Ant,

1) The citizenship certificate identifies and -- dare I say -- discriminates you as a naturalized citizen, a foreign-born alien, a second-class citizen. Therefore, you want you passport now!

2) Once that super-cheap last minute flight is up for sale, you are diagnosed with a terminal illness or -- God forbid -- bombs are raining down on us and you want the hell out of the US ASAP, it's a bit late to apply for a passport. You want it now!

You spent THOUSANDS of Dollars on your immigration, and now you are holding back on the final cost of a passport? Don't you want to see some parts of the World before you kick the bucket?

JustBob-

1) Yes, the naturalization certificate says that I am a naturalized citizen...

But in my instance, it also says my "former country of citizenship" is "Canada" (which is true, as that is my former country of citizenship)...and for it to say "Canada" on it is not discriminatory to me....

However, on a US passport, it will list my "place of birth", which is "(another country)", which is a country I have no other association with, and I find that it is far worse to be discriminated that way, and more likely than not, this will be viewed negatively too..Oh and added to the fact that some other countries discriminate against US travellers...That's a double whammy of discrimination there...lol....

Which is why I still keep my Canadian passport, as they have the option of having a "blank" for a "birth country", and overall I feel safer travelling with such instead...

Again, I have posted about this on multiple threads on VJ...(see those posts for more info about that topic)

Either way, permanent residents and naturalized citizens are discriminated in some way or other, so you can't win either way....(pesonally, I blame the US givernment for this too...but that's another story....)

2) As for getting out of the USA...That's an easy one...For me I'll just drive my car 1-2 hours...And I'll be in Canada...And I don't need a US passport for that either....Lol..And if the borders are closed...I'll just die in the USA..(which was what I was going to do anyways, regardless...)...Lol..And I have better things to be worrying about than a bomb..

3) Yes, that is true that I want to see other parts of the world before I kick the bucket. But that won't be for a very long time, as I can't afford such at the moment. Until that time happens, (probably more than 10 years later), I can still wait for applying for a passport (that is, if I still decide on such..who knows what types of documents are required for travel then)...Meanwhile, I still have "immigration debt" I have to repay, and have to save up for a passport, anyways....Heck, I'm still paying back the $675 that I owe from last year for citizenship (I couldn't even afford that, and had to borrow money from someone..)....With interest....Not the best deal...But I had to do what I had to do before they raised the fees back up again....I'm hoping to get that paid off by the end of this year..but it's not easy...lol...

Yes, I've already spend THOUSANDS of dollars in this process....which is why I can't afford to spend anymore than I need to on "optional" items such as a passport at the moment...

Which is why I "shop around" for the best deals, in terms of travel documents....And opted for the EDL instead of the passport, which works just as well for the moment for cross-border travel...

Oh and EDLs do not list any "places of birth/former countries" on it either...Which is far more safer and not discriminatory to travel with...Lol..

And EDLs are a less expensive ($80 for 8 years..and it also includes a driver's license renewal...2 for 1 deal there...), only takes 1-2 weeks (which is less time than a passport), and is convenient to get (just go to any local DMV)

Too bad though, that EDLs can't be used for air travel...But who knows...Maybe they will change the rules on that someday..

After all, they did come up with EDLs only recently...

So who knows what types of other travel documents they will have later on down the road...Hmmm...

In the meantime, by all means, if any US Citizen wants to get a passport, I say, "Go for it, before the rates jump up again!"

Ant

Edited July 5, 2010 by Ant+D+BabyA

[antda 13]

I have to say I totally disagree with you on this one and will have to side with Just Bob and his comments. A passport is an absolute must and by far the best way to prove your citizenship without disclosing too much information about yourself. I could not live without a passport, I really love where I live but I also love to travel and also do it for a living. Besides, just like 'Just Bob' mentioned what if you find an awesome deal to go somewhere or have to visit family ? Think about it this way, even with the new fees a passport will run you $1.12 per month ! I would not consider that to be a luxury item, what can you do to save up that money and instead spend it on your passport ? Buy one less soda a month ? Turn off the lights for an extra five minutes a day ? Maybe better plan your driving so you save half a gallon (ca 10 miles) a month ? Skip a candy bar every five weeks ? I really don't think it would kill most people.

CaptainPenguin-True, that a passport is important...

However, it discloses information about myself too....Like the "place of birth" line...

See..It's all a matter of perspective as to what one feels as "disclosing too much information" is....

For me I'm not bothered by other things being listed on it...

But I'm bothered with the "birth country" issue...

To me it's like saying.."you were born elsewhere, therefore, you are not an American"....

I love where I live...And to be thought of otherwise is contradictory to the "oath of citizenship" that I took, and naturalization

Lol..If I wanted to visit family..That's an easy one...I just drive across the border to Canada.....No passport or plane ticket needed...However, I do understand that some people have family that live farther away...So a passport is a must for them...Which is fine too....

True...That spread out over 10 years, the passport is not that much...

And is especially good too, if one does frequent travelling (such as you do for business and leisure), so that they can get the most use out of it)

By the way, the American passport if the better deal there...(lol..I only get 5 years on the Canadian one for the same price..which is a rip-off there...)

But if one gets a passport, and has no use out of it, then that is a big expense there. If a passport is only used to prove US Citizenship, then there are other ways to do this, as a passport is OPTIONAL.

As I said before, a US Naturalization Certificate and/or Birth Certificate is good enough in terms of proving US Citizenship, so no need to spend extra on a passport, if one has no immediate travel plans.

What I do object to is the DHS increasing the fees "whenever they feel like it"...Which is unfair....

And if the DHS were like any private other business...Would you want to do business with a company that increases their fees every so often?

Which is why I "shop around"...And found that the EDL served my travel needs better that way....

And I'm sure there are (or there will be in the distant future) better and less expensive documents for travellers than passports....

So who knows what the future holds in terms of travel documents...Hmm....

In the meantime, by all means, if any US Citizen wants to get a passport, I say, "Go for it, before the rates jump up again!"

Ant

Place of birth on your US passport certainly hints you may be naturalized. Just about the only government issued form of ID that does.

May be fun to visit other parts of the world, as long as you remember not to drink the water, take that for granted here. Also have to be careful about drinking other stuff that comes in a bottle, may make you do something stupid and land up in some hole they call a jail. Best not to drink at all.

What about a kid born of US citizens in a foreign country, is his place of birth in that country as well? Not sure what they are doing now in this respect, that happened to my dad that gave him a major complex especially since we were at war with the country he was born in. In this case, a kid born here from illegal parents is far better off than a kid born from natural born US citizens in a foreign country is far better off.

But the bottom line of all this, is the most important aspect of this is where you were born, something even that kid of illegal parents has no control over. So why is where you were born made such an important issue? I feel the reason for this, is the leaders that make this an important point are smoking crack. Either that, or they are idiots.