Passport fees are on the rise

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Thinking of going on a cruise, or traveling out of the country this year? Now is the time to get your passport. Currently passport fees are $75 plus $25 agency fee and an additional $5 for the photos. That is a total of $105.00 for an adult, 16 years old and older. A child, birth to 15 years old passport is priced at $60, plus the $25 agency fee and $5 for the photos for a total of $90.
On July 13 the fee for an adult passport will go up to $110, plus the agency fee and photo fee. That is a $35 increase and will make a passport $140 for an adult 16 years and older. A child passport will raise $20 to $110 ($80.00 plus agency fees and photos). Passports are becoming an essential form of identification.
You cannot fly into Mexico or Canada without a passport. If you never plan to fly into these countries and will only be driving across the borders there is a cheaper option. It is called a Passport Card. It is the size of a credit card and holds all the same information as a regular passport book.
However, you cannot use it if you fly into another country. This passport card will cost $30 plus $25 agency fee and $5 photo fee for a total of $60 (adult 16 and older) $45 (children birth to 15 years). First time applicants need to apply in person. You will need your original, vital statistics issued birth certificate and your driver’s license or government issued photo ID. Children, birth to 15 years will need both parents to be present to sign and provide photo ID. Applicants 16 to 18 need to have at least one parent sign and provide photo ID.
Passports are currently taking approximately five to six weeks to process. Applicants needing to travel sooner than six weeks will need to expedite processing which will be $60 per application. Passport Services recommends sending the application by overnight mail which is $18.30 and $14.96 for Passport Services to overnight the passport back to you. This will get you your passport in about two to three weeks. So, if you put off applying for your passport you will be paying extra money for that passport.
So, plan ahead, when you make your travel plans be sure you have plenty of time to apply for and receive a passport. You can get travel information and passport applications on line at www.travel.state.gov Or go to the Clerk/Auditor’s office in the Emery County Courthouse Room #101.
Agencies in larger areas can be found at US Post Offices. We are lucky to have an agency here in the county. We have been executing passport applications for many years and keep up on information regarding passports. We are frequently asked about Visas. Your travel agent will assist you with a visa which you will need if you are staying in another county for more than 30 days. Some countries require a visa for less than 30 days. Your travel agent will inform you if that is the case.
However, you will need your passport to obtain a visa. There are many things to consider when you are traveling to another country, so, get all the facts before you make the travel arrangements. If you have a loved one in another county it is wise to have someone in the family with a passport. Missionaries, teachers, humanitarian aid, agencies, skilled professionals, sports enthusiasts, all kinds of people need to travel to other countries. Be aware of the conditions in that country and research the travel warnings.
The Clerk/Auditor’s office will be glad to assist you with your passport information. We take the photos for your passport, visa, concealed weapons permit or any other type of permit that requires a passport quality photograph. We cannot process a credit card for passport fees. You will need a check or money order. We are open five days a week from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. and it takes approximately 20-30 minutes to execute an application. If you have any questions regarding passport application you can call 381-5106 or email carol@co.emery.ut,us or visit www.travel.state.gov.Happy traveling. Renewals are $75 until July 13 then they will go up to $110. There is a form, available at the clerk/auditor office, you get new photos which we do here for $5, you send in the form, your current passport, new photos and $75 check. You bypass the agency fee to the clerk’s office because it can be done yourself. You can come in to the clerk’s office and get the form or go on line to www.travel.state.gov and look for passport by mail form #DS-82. You can fill it out on line and print it out.