On June 28, the State Department published its Schedule of Fees for Consular Services - which includes passport fees - in the Federal Register. When the changes takes effect July 13, an adult passport will cost $35 more than today. (The price jumps from $100 to $135). A minor's passport jumps from $85 to $105. Currently, you would pay $75 to renew a passport but on July 13, the price jumps to $110. Just need extra visa pages? You don't have to pay for them now, but after July 13, they will cost $82!
An adult passport card jumps from $20 to $30, and a passport card for a child increases from $10 to $15. Passport cards can be used for land border crossings to Mexico or Canada.
Time to check the date your passport expires? Keep in mind many countries require a passport be good for at least six months from the time you enter a country. I almost got caught, so I had my passport renewal expedited and you can too. You just need to be willing to pay a bit more (or a lot more if you're in a hurry).
How to Get Your Passport Faster
Rush My Passport expedites passport applications, passport renewals and visas for a fee. The fee depends upon the turn-around time for the document - which could be as little as 24 hours for a renewal. RushMyPassport.com "walks" your passport application or passport renewal application through the system and dramatically decreases the time from applying to having that critical travel document in your hands. It costs considerably more, of course. But, when you discover a spouse's passport has expired and you're leaving for Europe in three weeks, this option becomes much less expensive than canceling a trip. (Keep in mind, too, that some countries will not let you in if your passport expires within six months of the date you are traveling.)
Where to Go for Details
You can also get your passport faster directly from the U.S. Government by paying an expedite fee and carefully following the directions. You must put "Expedite" on the envelope so the application is routed correctly and pay a fee. It's also suggested that you include an overnight envelope for the fastest return. For details visit How to Get Your Passport in a Hurry. Specific instructions also will be on the application for your passport or passport renewal.
Not sure what's involved in getting a passport? Watch this How to Get a Passport video.
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