Passports and US Entry Requirements
Phone numbers for United States passport offices.
Recently, a number of carriers are requiring that U S Citizens have a valid passport that is valid for
more than 3 months past the date of travel when traveling to the Netherlands and Greece or more than 6 months for Israel. Carriers can deny boarding to passengers who do not fulfill these requirements. With the current security measures in place, we believe more and more countries will make this a requirement.If your passport is nearing the end of 10 years, you may be surprised by recent changes in the renewal system. First, unless you have a ticket for overseas travel within 14 days, or require visas for a trip leaving not much later, you cannot renew in person, but only by mail. Everywhere but Hawaii and New Orleans, those who qualify for in-person renewals must get an appointment. Second, you no longer need to go to a post office for a form; you can find one on the State Department's Web site and probably print it out at home. Third, on Feb. 1, 1998, the age limit on a youth passport changed again, and young people may use a renewal form rather than a new-passport form if they got their previous passports when they were at least 16 — not 18.
A passport of any vintage, from weeks old to 12 years — that is, expired no more than two years — may be renewed at will. If you have a passport photo you'd like to replace, and are able to pay for the privilege, the State Department can oblige.
The State Department says that regular mail applications take 25 days for the round trip. Mail renewal applications should go to Post Office Box 371971, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15262. Except for Honolulu and New Orleans, the regular agencies now work by phone appointment only, serving only people with tickets for travel soon, mostly within 14 days, although Chicago and Washington set the limit at 21 days.
Passport Fees Effective August 19, 2002
Routine Services
Passport Service
Passport
Fee*Execution
Fee*Total
FeesAge 16 and over
$55
$30
$85
Under Age 16
$40
$30
$70
*Note: When applying at one of the thousands of designated application acceptance facilities in the U.S., you pay the application processing fee to the “U.S. Department of State” and the execution fee to the facility where you are applying. Acceptable forms of payment vary. When applying at a Regional Passport Agency, both fees are combined into one payment to the “U.S. Department of State” and may be paid by check (personal, certified, travelers’), major credit card (V, MC, AE, Discover), bank draft or cashier’s check, money order (U.S. Postal, international, currency exchange), or if abroad, the foreign currency equivalent, or a check drawn on a U.S. bank. Passport Renewal (Form DS-82) Non-Refundable
Passport
FeeTotal
FeesYou may use this form if your previous passport: 1. Was issued when you were 16 or older. 2. Was issued in the last 15 years. 3. Is not damaged. 4. Is submitted with your application.
$55
$55
Expedited Service - Add $60 for each application for any service - e.g., first-time application, renewal, additional pages, name change. Additionally, to receive your passport as soon as possible, we strongly suggest that you arrange overnight delivery service for sending your passport application and returning your passport to you.
New passport requirements. Travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada will be required to have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States. This is a change from prior travel requirements and will affect all United States citizens entering the United States from countries within the Western Hemisphere who do not currently possess valid passports. This new requirement will also affect certain foreign nationals who currently are not required to present a passport to travel to the United States. Most Canadian citizens, citizens of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda, and to a lesser degree, Mexican citizens will be affected by the implementation of this requirement. The travel initiative requirements will be rolled out in phases, providing as much advance notice as possible to the affected public to enable them to meet the terms of the new guidelines. The proposed implementation timeline is as follows:
December 31, 2005 – Passport or other accepted document required for all travel (air/sea) to or from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Central and South America.
December 31, 2006 – Passport or other accepted document required for all air and sea travel to or from Mexico and Canada.
December 31, 2007 – Passport or other accepted document required for all air, sea and land border crossings.
All Minors Applying for a Passport Must Now Appear in Person
To enhance the accurate identification of passport applicants and aid in the prevention of international child abduction and trafficking, the Department of State s Bureau of Consular Affairs has begun requiring the personal appearance of all minors applying for U.S. passports.
This applies to all regular, official and diplomatic passports for children under the age of 14, even if the child has previously been issued a passport. Prior to the introduction of this requirement, parents were not routinely required to bring a child under the age of 14 with them when they applied on the child s behalf. Now, when applying for a passport on behalf of a minor under the age of 14, parents are required to have their child present and submit documentation of parental relationship and consent, as well as comply with all other documentation requirements for the issuance of a passport.
The personal appearance requirement for all minors is a further step towards ensuring the integrity of the passport application process. This change will help to verify the identity of minor applicants and aid in the prevention of international child abduction and trafficking.
