U.S. passport fees set to rise

[one...two...tree 2,762]

By Jane Engle, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

The cost of getting a passport will hit $100 starting Friday. The increase is one of a series of changes this week that affect U.S. citizens traveling outside the country.

Saying it needs more money "to cover the cost of providing efficient and secure passport services," the U.S. State Department said today that it will raise passport fees from $97 to $100 for adults and from $82 to $85 for children younger than 16. It said renewals, now $67, would cost $75.

In another change that takes effect Friday, both parents will be required to appear in person -- or one parent in person with required documentation -- when applying for a passport for a child under 16. The current cutoff is age 14. The change is aimed at protecting children from abduction and "to address concerns regarding runaway children," the State Department said.

Starting Friday, the State Department expects to have new forms for downloading from its website, www.travel.state.gov, that can be used to apply for passports and a new passport card, said assistant spokesman Cy Ferenchak. The passport card, expected to be issued in the spring, is a less expensive document that will be accepted for certain border crossings by land or sea.

Ferenchak said the new forms have also been sent to thousands of passport acceptance facilities, such as post offices, throughout the country.

In yet another change, starting Thursday, the government plans to end what it calls "the routine practice of accepting oral declarations alone at land and sea ports of entry." That means that U.S. citizens will be expected to present at least a birth certificate, or other proof of citizenship, plus a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, to cross borders by land or sea.

http://travel.latimes.com/articles/la-trw-...portfees29jan29

[Jenn! 918]

Thanks for the reminder, I think I'm due to renew my passport this year. An extra $8? Thank God for the stimulus package!

[Marilyn. 340]

you guys dont know how easy you have it when it comes to passports

in Canada we have to get guarantors to sign our pictures etc.. and jump through all sorts of other hoops... and the cost of the passport is roughly the same as the US but it only lasts for 5 years

here you just fill out the form, go to almost any post office, they will take your pictures and your money and then passport will be mailed to you that is good for 10 years...

[AnewKINDofFEELIN 0]

you guys dont know how easy you have it when it comes to passports

in Canada we have to get guarantors to sign our pictures etc.. and jump through all sorts of other hoops... and the cost of the passport is roughly the same as the US but it only lasts for 5 years

here you just fill out the form, go to almost any post office, they will take your pictures and your money and then passport will be mailed to you that is good for 10 years...

Canadian passports are issued in a MUCH more timely manner, though. Lindsay got hers in a matter of days. I think I had to wait about 8 weeks for mine.

[Marilyn. 340]

you guys dont know how easy you have it when it comes to passports

in Canada we have to get guarantors to sign our pictures etc.. and jump through all sorts of other hoops... and the cost of the passport is roughly the same as the US but it only lasts for 5 years

here you just fill out the form, go to almost any post office, they will take your pictures and your money and then passport will be mailed to you that is good for 10 years...

Canadian passports are issued in a MUCH more timely manner, though. Lindsay got hers in a matter of days. I think I had to wait about 8 weeks for mine.

I don't think that is the case anymore not with the new passport rules in place and everyone trying to get a passport....

[AnewKINDofFEELIN 0]

you guys dont know how easy you have it when it comes to passports

in Canada we have to get guarantors to sign our pictures etc.. and jump through all sorts of other hoops... and the cost of the passport is roughly the same as the US but it only lasts for 5 years

here you just fill out the form, go to almost any post office, they will take your pictures and your money and then passport will be mailed to you that is good for 10 years...

Canadian passports are issued in a MUCH more timely manner, though. Lindsay got hers in a matter of days. I think I had to wait about 8 weeks for mine.

I don't think that is the case anymore not with the new passport rules in place and everyone trying to get a passport....

When were the rules put in place? Lindsay got her passport in June.

[mawilson 2,133]

Thanks for the reminder, I think I'm due to renew my passport this year. An extra $8? Thank God for the stimulus package!

[Marilyn. 340]

you guys dont know how easy you have it when it comes to passports

in Canada we have to get guarantors to sign our pictures etc.. and jump through all sorts of other hoops... and the cost of the passport is roughly the same as the US but it only lasts for 5 years

here you just fill out the form, go to almost any post office, they will take your pictures and your money and then passport will be mailed to you that is good for 10 years...

Canadian passports are issued in a MUCH more timely manner, though. Lindsay got hers in a matter of days. I think I had to wait about 8 weeks for mine.

I don't think that is the case anymore not with the new passport rules in place and everyone trying to get a passport....

When were the rules put in place? Lindsay got her passport in June.

looks like January of 2007...

did she get hers expedited? Or did she deliver the passport package herself or did she mail it in?

they say if you mail it in it can take up to 6 weeks or more....

still what does it matter if you get the passport sooner... it still only lasts for 5 years and we have way more hoops to go through then the people getting a US passport...

Edited January 29, 2008 by MarilynP

[AnewKINDofFEELIN 0]

you guys dont know how easy you have it when it comes to passports

in Canada we have to get guarantors to sign our pictures etc.. and jump through all sorts of other hoops... and the cost of the passport is roughly the same as the US but it only lasts for 5 years

here you just fill out the form, go to almost any post office, they will take your pictures and your money and then passport will be mailed to you that is good for 10 years...

Canadian passports are issued in a MUCH more timely manner, though. Lindsay got hers in a matter of days. I think I had to wait about 8 weeks for mine.

I don't think that is the case anymore not with the new passport rules in place and everyone trying to get a passport....

When were the rules put in place? Lindsay got her passport in June.

looks like January of 2007...

did she get hers expedited? Or did she deliver the passport package herself or did she mail it in?

they say if you mail it in it can take up to 6 weeks or more....

still what does it matter if you get the passport sooner... it still only lasts for 5 years and we have way more hoops to go through then the people getting a US passport...

She carried it in.

[Dr. Obvious 49]

Mine is still good for 5 more years, my daughter's for 3. Next passport up for renewal is my husband's German one in October. I have no idea how many clams we have to spill for that. I should probably look it up.

Edited January 29, 2008 by Wacken

[rebeccajo 14]

A $3 increase? And this make the paper?

Must be a slow news day in LA.

[Amby 490]

hmmm I still don't think that $10/yr is a bad deal

[one...two...tree 2,762]

A $3 increase? And this make the paper?

Must be a slow news day in LA.

Hey, $3 dollars will get you 2 double cheeseburgers and fries with McDonald's value meal.