Important information about new U.S. Passport Fees as of July 13, 2010

An increase in passport fees will take place July 13, 2010.  The new fees may be found on the following chart – click here for the pdf.

The changes in passport fees, which come into effect on July 13, 2010, will cover actual operating expenses for the 23 domestic passport agencies and centers.

In response to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), the Department of State has undertaken a systematic expansion of the network to provide better service to communities that have been particularly affected by the land border crossing requirements associated with that program. By the spring of Fiscal Year 2011, the Department of State will have 23 passport agencies providing emergency services to the general public, three high volume application processing centers, and two large scale document print centers.

Fees for passport books also cover the costs of certain emergency services provided to U.S. citizens overseas, including assistance to U.S. citizens who have been victims of crime, assistance provided after the death of a U.S. citizen, and visits to U.S. citizens in overseas prisons. These services also include organizing the evacuation of U.S. citizens affected by war or natural disaster in a foreign country, such as victims of the recent earthquake in Haiti. The estimated cost of providing such services to U.S. citizens in Fiscal Year 2009 was almost $300 million.

Passport application or passport renewal information may be found at the Department of State Travel Section: http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html.

Important information about new U.S. Passport requirements as of June 1, 2009
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)

AIR TRAVEL - ALL PERSONS traveling by air outside of the United States are required to present a passport book or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States.

LAND AND SEA TRAVEL - ALL PERSONS traveling by land and sea outside of the United States are required to present a passport book/card, or other valid travel documents to enter or re-enter the United States.

The following summarizes information available on the Department of Homeland Security's website:

• Effective June 1, 2009, all U.S. citizens are now required to present a passport book, passport card, or WHTI-compliant document when entering the United States.
  Please Note: Children under age 16 will be able to continue crossing land and sea borders using only a U.S. birth certificate (or other form of U.S. citizenship such as a naturalization certificate.). The original birth certificate or a copy may be used. See the Department of Homeland Security's Ready, Set.. Go! for more information on the changing travel requirements.

The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory.

For questions or difficulties in obtaining a passport, please contact Congresswoman McCollum's St. Paul Office at 651-224-9191.

TO OBTAIN OR RENEW A PASSPORT

The Department of State Travel website provides requirements, forms, documentation requirements, processing times and on-line status check. http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

Passports may be applied for at various institutions, including many post offices, government service centers and other locations. To locate a passport acceptance facility: http://iafdb.travel.state.gov/

Forms for passports: http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/forms/forms_847.html

Passport FAQS: http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/fri/faq/faq_1741.html

Important information about entry and departure requirements of a country under the A-Z Country Index: http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/travel_1744.html

Regional Passport Agencies

Regional agencies are by appointment only - with certain travel requirements. The regional passport agencies are not processing or passport application acceptance facilities: http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/fri/schedule/schedule_852.html

The Minneapolis Regional Passport Agency: http://travel.state.gov/passport/about/agencies/agencies_4503.html
Location: 212 South Third Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Hours: 8:30am to 3:00pm, local time, M-F, excluding Federal holidays.

Automated Appointment Number: 1-877-487-2778

National Passport Information Center: http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/about/npic/npic_898.html

About Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)

WHTI is a result of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA), requiring all travelers to present a passport or other document that denotes identity and citizenship when entering the United States.

The goal of WHTI is to strengthen U.S. border security while facilitating entry for U.S. citizens and legitimate foreign visitors by providing standardized documentation that enables the Department of Homeland Security to quickly and reliably identify a traveler.