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WHAT WILL AN EXPEDITED PASSPORT COST?

Here is the link to the passport fees on the U.S. Department of State's website: (http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/fees/fees_837.html). It says the cost for a regular passport is $97 if you are 16 or over. If under 16, the cost is $82. These fees do not include on-site photo fees (about $15). If you want a passport rushed through the government, there is a $60 fee + overnight delivery fees. REMEMBER if you need a birth certificate that separate process is in another location. The costs vary per courthouse. We recently went to a courthouse and the official birth certificate was printed out in minutes. Unlike a few years ago, we had to wait hours. If you need one mailed, that could take weeks.

The non-government expedite services cost more and prices vary. Be sure and compare their prices to get your best deal. REMEMBER, a non-government expedite service may be able to get a passport in a few days and in some cases as little as 24 hrs. BE AWARE when comparing prices of expedite services that some have an extra charge for using checks and money orders.

BE AWARE that if you are requesting a passport sooner than two weeks, there may be additional documents required to prove your travel itinerary. Check the procedures, prices, requirements and locations of the expedite services before going to an Acceptance Facility.

Unfortunately, these new passport laws add to the cost of a family vacation. For a family of five, that could be a minimum of $500. Many families may be considering no-passport destinations.

GOOD NEWS!
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BE AWARE some destinations requiring passports are competing with no-passport destinations by offering incentives and even refunds for the cost of a passport. Be sure to ask for these incentives.

SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT
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It is worth mentioning again that since these new passport laws started January 23, 2007, requiring ALL travelers, even newborns, to have passports, it's reasonable to have concern that the government system could get bogged down therefore it could take longer than 6 weeks. Update Mar. 17, 2007: It was reported in the news that the system is overwhelmed. Demand is unprecedented, and you should expect lengthy delays.

Just because you may send several family members applications at the same time, does not mean they stay together. Once they are received by the government, each passport is handled separately and mailed separately. It would be reasonable to be prepared encase they do not all arrive back in the same time frame you are expecting.

Quite a few travelers are probably going to be caught off guard or in a passport panic making it hard to get those last-minute cheap flights and last-minute getaways.

Since many travelers may find themselves with the no-passport blues, they may choose no-passport destinations. More coming soon….

If you are planning a wedding, it is hard to know if all of your guests will have timely passports so no-passport destinations may be the right choice. Whether for fun or a wedding or honeymoon, book early for cruises and U.S. territories as these destinations are expecting to be very busy. More coming soon…..

This might be a good time to rent an RV and explore the U.S.

Does our lovable white dog need a passport? More coming soon.....

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Helpful links:

The U.S. Department of State: http://travel.state.gov
Acceptance Facilities locator page: http://iafdb.travel.state.gov
List of 6 requirements page: http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_830.html
Links to photo requirements pages:
http://travel.state.gov/passport/guide/faq/faq_881.html
http://travel.state.gov/passport/guide/guide_2081.html
http://travel.state.gov/passport/guide/composition/composition_874.html
Questions about need for Social Security Number:
http://travel.state.gov/passport/fri/faq/faq_1741.html#ssn

Thanks for coming and have a wonderful trip!

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Disclaimer:
We, Just2Imagine LLC, are giving our experience, opinion and insight. We are not a government agency or an authority. We will try to keep our information current, but ultimately it is your responsibility to check with the U.S. Department of State or any official authority. You should also check with the passport expedite services for their rules and requirements. By using this website you agree to accept all terms and statements. Use of any of our web site or any linked sites is strictly at your own risk, and we are removed from any liability from their use. Just2Imagine LLC has no control over the content of, and accepts no liability for, any linked sites which are provided for your convenience.

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