Two Weeks Until U.S. Passport Fees Increase…Don’t Delay!

Are you sitting around staring at your passport forms thinking “I should get a passport?”  Well if you need some incentive the current cost of a Passport in the United States for an adult is US$75 plus an additional US$25 “Acceptance Fee” for a total of US$100.

In two weeks, starting on the 13th of July the cost of a United States Passport jumps to US$110 plus a $25 acceptance fee for a total of US$135.

Why the two separate costs?  Because when you apply for a passport, you make two payments. The US$75 fee (soon to be US$110) is for the cost of your passport, the second is a fee paid to the facility processing your passport application (most commonly a US Post Office).

While I am not suggesting anyone jump for joy that the Government is increasing the cost of a passport, keep in mind that your passport fee is not only for the cost of the actual passport and its related infrastructure, but the fees also go towards helping U.S. citizens faced with a crisis overseas, such as disaster situations, being caught in a destabilizing nation or who are the victims of a crime overseas and need assistance.

If you you are renewing your passport and submit your renewal with a DS-82 Renwal Form you are exempt from paying the “acceptance fee,” however the actual fee for the passport will still increase from US$75 to US$110.

Along with the increase in Passport Book fees increasing, Passport Card fees will increase as well from US$20 to US$30, additionally Passports for those under the age of 16 will increase from US$60 to US$80.

I don’t tend to suggest travelers invest in a U.S. Passport Card often as the Passport Card is very limited in its scope of travel acceptance. The U.S.  Passport Card  is ONLY valid for land and sea entries into the US, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda.   The Passport Card is NOT accepted for entry into any of the afore mentioned countries by air, and is not accepted by any other countries for sea entries. I think it goes with out saying to point out that land entries from the United States are only possible between Canada & Mexico.

Remember folks, Apply Early & Apply Often for your passports!

Happy Flying!