Get Your US Passport

Did all of you get your passports yet?

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff has announced that all air travelers entering the United States will be required to show passports beginning January 23, 2007. This will include returning Americans and people from Canada and other nations in the Western Hemisphere.

This only affect air travelers.

Entering the U.S. by land or sea will require a passport beginning January 2008.

If you want to travel to Windsor or Niagara Falls (Canadian side), or Mexico you will need to present a U.S. passport of alternative security ID card. Your drivers' license and birth certificate will no longer be accepted as official identification.

Homeland Security has estimated that about one in four Americans (25 percent) have a U.S. passport. Quite a low figure compared to other nations.

Agency data on September 2006 showed that 69 percent of US travelers to Canada, 58 percent of US travelers to Mexico, and 75 percent of US travelers to the Caribbean hold passports.

US Department of State - Passport Services

Fees

Age 16 or older: $67 application fee. $30 execution fee. Total $97.

Under Age 16: $52 application fee. $30 execution fee. Total $82.

Renewal: $67 application fee plus old passport

Expedited Service - Add $60

Question

Should US passports be given to Americans at no-charge? Replacements and renewals be subject to a reasonable fee?