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 |  | Low: Passport Card $25-$50 |  | Medium: Passport $75-$115 |  | High: Expedited $135-$425+ |
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Travelers must have a current government-issued United States passport booklet (the small multipage blue book) to travel anywhere outside the borders of the US by air. These passport booklets also work for land and sea travel, but land or sea visitors to Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, and Bermuda, visitors can get a less expensive passport card. Passport cards cannot be used for any international air travel. Both passport booklets and passport cards work as photo ID both inside and outside the United States.
Typical costs: |
- The total cost to get photos and apply for a passport can run $50-$175. The Department of State Passport Fees website breaks down all the standard government fees.
- Breaking down the specific costs, the application fee for a passport booklet is $75 for adults (16+) and $60 for children. Applying for a passport card costs $20 for adults and $10 for children.
- Applicants must also submit two 2-inch by 2-inch color photos with the passport application. Passport photos cost about $15, and can be taken at certain branches of the US Post Office, FedEx and UPS stores and photography studios. Read the photo section of the Department of State website to get information about passport photos.
- To submit a passport application directly (in person rather than by mail) to a passport processing center or post office adds a $25 processing fee directly to that center or office. Applications must be conducted in person if applying for a first passport as an adult. See the State Department's information for first-time applicants[1] .
Related articles: Around-the-World Airline Ticket, Travel Insurance
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What should be included: |
- A blue vinyl-covered passport booklet. AND/OR a passport card, the size and shape of a credit card.
- For renewals, the expired passport booklet will be returned.
Additional costs: |
- Getting a passport in about 2-3 weeks, adds a $60 expedite fee.
- Independent passport and visa processing services can help applicants get a passport in as few as 48 hours without standing in long lines. These services charge additional fees from $45-$250 for their assistance, depending on how soon the passport is needed. These fees usually do not include shipping or government processing fees, which must be paid separately.
- Visas for certain types of travel to certain countries cost extra, from $50-$300 and up. Contact the Embassy or Consulate of the destination country as far in advance as possible for prices, forms, phone numbers, and other information. Find a list of embassies at the State Department's Travel website.
- If running out of visa/stamp pages in the passport booklet, new pages can be added for free. (Note that "long" passports are no longer available.) Apply for pages using the online form.
- Shipping for a passport renewal application costs from about $1 up to $60. It costs $1-$20 to send an application via US mail. FedEx overnight priority shipping costs about $15-$30 each way.
Discounts: |
- Plan far in advance to save money. Waiting a minimum of 8 weeks to receive passports by mail can reduce the possible fees.
Shopping for a passport: |
- Applicants need passport photos, a copy of their birth certificate, a government-issued photo ID, and completed forms to apply for any kind of passport. The travel.state.gov[2] website lists the needed documents.
- Many US Post Offices can take passport photos, provide application forms, and accept completed application packets. Check the USPS Locator page[3] for the nearest post office that accepts passports.
- . To apply for a passport booklet using online forms, visit the Department of State Form 847[4] website.
- The Department of State provides a way to apply online[5] .
- If using a passport processing/expediting service either locally or online, check the firm with the Better Business Bureau[6] to find a service with a good reputation. Most passport expedite companies work with clients online.
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments |
| Posted by: kitster in Waterbury, CT. | Posted: June 6th, 2017 10:06AM |
The actual passport costs for adults & children listed in this article are not correct.
Best place to get photos: Costco. You get 4-5 pictures, correctly sized, in about 15 minutes for $5 (+ tax). Great deal! |
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External Resources: |
- www.travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_830.html
- travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_830.html
- usps.whitepages.com/passport
- travel.state.gov/passport/forms/forms_847.html
- travel.state.gov/passport/ppt_card/ppt_card_3926.html
- www.bbb.org/us/Find-Business-Reviews
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