U.S. Passports Will Soon Get More Expensive

[corbe]

U.S. Passports Will Soon Get More Expensive

Caitlin Morton - 1h ago

Passport books will cost $20 more beginning December 27.
On December 20, the State Department announced that the cost of passport books will increase by $20. The price hike applies to all customers, and it will take effect starting December 27.
The $20 bump specifically applies to the security surcharge fees associated with passports. According to the State Department’s Twitter account, “The increased fee is necessary to ensure we continue to produce one of the most secure travel and identity documents in the world.”

So how exactly will that extra money be used? Back in 2006, a slew of new features were added to passports, including polycarbonate coating over pages, raised lettering and watermarks, and RFID chips. The surcharges help pay for all those features, therein better protecting travelers from identity theft and fraud.

You can find the current passport book prices on the State Department’s website, but this is what you can expect to pay in fees beginning next week:

If you’re an adult (16 and older) and applying for the first time: $165
If you’re an adult (16 and older) and renewing your passport: $130
If your child is under 16 and you’re applying for their passport: $135

<..snip..>

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/u-s-passports-will-soon-get-more-expensive/ar-AAS22Ax?ocid=msedgntp

[EdinVA]

So we will start requiring passports/visas/background checks at the border with mexico?

[Hoodat]

Thanks for the heads-up.  Mine just expired.

[DefiantMassRINO]

Doesn't the State Department outsource processing to allegedly reduce cost?

Sounds like the State Department wants to monetize passport processing as an augmented revenue stream.

During the 1990s, Massachusetts increased driver's license fees and auto registration fees ... not to provide better service at the Registry of Motor Vehicles or cover costs ... no, the "fees" (don't call them taxes) were increased so 90% could be siphoned off to pay for the Big Dig.

[Fishrrman]

Never had a passport.
Don't think I'm going to be getting one in the time I have left...

[Slide Rule]

I will take two.  They are more valuable with unavailability.

[corbe]

   I'm sure you can buy a blank one from Afghanistan on Amazon for a quarter of that price.

[mountaineer]

As long as Covid passports are required to enter other countries, I won't be needing to renew my U.S. passport.

[GtHawk]

U.S. Passports Will Soon Get More Expensive

Caitlin Morton - 1h ago

Passport books will cost $20 more beginning December 27.
On December 20, the State Department announced that the cost of passport books will increase by $20. The price hike applies to all customers, and it will take effect starting December 27.
The $20 bump specifically applies to the security surcharge fees associated with passports. According to the State Department’s Twitter account, “The increased fee is necessary to ensure we continue to produce one of the most secure travel and identity documents in the world.”

So how exactly will that extra money be used? Back in 2006, a slew of new features were added to passports, including polycarbonate coating over pages, raised lettering and watermarks, and RFID chips. The surcharges help pay for all those features, therein better protecting travelers from identity theft and fraud.

You can find the current passport book prices on the State Department’s website, but this is what you can expect to pay in fees beginning next week:

If you’re an adult (16 and older) and applying for the first time: $165
If you’re an adult (16 and older) and renewing your passport: $130
If your child is under 16 and you’re applying for their passport: $135

<..snip..>

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/u-s-passports-will-soon-get-more-expensive/ar-AAS22Ax?ocid=msedgntp

I am a Hungarian citizen by the jus sanguinis and their passports are only about $100, maybe I should just do that especially since thing are going south here.

[Smokin Joe]

So we will start requiring passports/visas/background checks at the border with mexico?

We have them with Canada...