You have commented 339 times on Rantburg.

Your Name
Your e-mail (optional)
Website (optional)
My Original Nic        Pic-a-Nic        Sorry. Comments have been closed on this article.
Bold Italic Underline Strike Bullet Blockquote Small Big Link Squish Foto Photo
Economy
U.S. passports are about to get more expensive
2021-12-24
[Philadelphia Inquirer] As with everything else this year, the price of passports is going up.

Starting Dec. 27, the cost of a U.S. passport book will rise $20 for all customers, the State Department announced this week. The price for a first-time or replacement adult passport will be $165; a renewal will be $130. The expedited fee, which gets you your passport weeks earlier, will remain $60.

The State Department said the fee increase is "necessary to ensure we continue to produce one of the most secure travel and identity documents in the world."

Americans are paying more for goods and services in many places, from the gas pump to the grocery store, and apparently government services are not immune. Prices across the United States rose at the fastest pace in nearly 40 years in November.

Earlier this month, President Joe Biden signed an executive order allowing Americans to renew their passports online for the first time in an effort to speed up the process. This will eliminate the need for physical documents and paper checks to be sent through the mail.

The passport system has been backlogged because of the coronavirus, causing massive delays for travelers. In October, the State Department said wait times had gone down to a range of eight to 11 weeks, or five to seven weeks for expedited services.

The White House said the order regarding online renewals could take between six to 12 months to take effect.

For now, travelers have to send their documents - and increased fees - through the mail.
Posted by:Besoeker

#11  Passport renewed this fall - few problems, took about 6-7 weeks via mail
Posted by: Frank G   2021-12-24 13:22  

#10  ^ Your DL renewal had RealID requirements? Lots of choices besides passport to meet that.
Posted by: M. Murcek   2021-12-24 12:55  

#9  "old bald white dude"
TX driver's license expired in Oct.
Had to renew my US passport to renew my DL.
Posted by: Skidmark   2021-12-24 12:45  

#8  
Note: BELIZE is good duck and cover location.
Take a look at its immigration requirements and its ENGLISH only law.


Posted by: NN2N1   2021-12-24 09:05  

#7  ^ Thank you. This was above my pay grade.
Posted by: Dale   2021-12-24 07:54  

#6  And, I'm not saying there are not lots of problems, Dale. Not saying that at all.
Posted by: M. Murcek   2021-12-24 07:43  

#5  I downloaded the PDF of the renewal form, sent it in with the picture and check and I was done. Bad java code didn't stop me. This was back in the spring of 2021.
Posted by: M. Murcek   2021-12-24 07:38  

#4  On line of course. What a mess. Absolute code command hack wide open at this time. No mo patch available <"Log4JShell>' 15 min. no vpn, invisible. Never know you were in. No digital footprint.
<"log4">
Need Patch <"logshellJ4">
60% no password needed
Runs off Java Script
Build Websites.
Shop talk yesterday among an extremely unusual personalities. My opinion collusion with China and big tech here. Chrome patches and they are in again as if they know how to get in. I keep suspecting Google myself. No known answer to this at this time. Our leadership in DC are so far behind the times. Punch cards and such.(That was from Deacon man and his slide rule usage back in the day).
Posted by: Dale   2021-12-24 07:33  

#3  I just renewed mine. Got a passport card too. If I need it at all in the next 10 years, it will be for a very good (read lucrative) reason.
Posted by: M. Murcek   2021-12-24 06:44  

#2  Another "fuck you" to US citizens from their very own government.
Posted by: Sheter the Lesser9291   2021-12-24 06:38  

#1  None of the destinations in my 500 mile range of travel currently require a passport.
Posted by: Besoeker   2021-12-24 05:23  

00:00