|
Changes made for obtaining passports |
|
|
|
|
Wednesday, 06 February 2008 |
Submitted by Kara Thompson County Clerk of District Court
Effective Jan. 31, the U.S. Department of State has issued a number of changes in applying for passports.
Oral declaration of citizenship alone will no longer be accepted. U.S. and Canadian citizens, age 19 and older, will need to present a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or naturalization certificate.
Children ages 18 and younger will only be required to present proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.
Passports and trusted traveler program cards – NEXUS, SENTRI, and FAST – will continue to be accepted for cross-border travel.
Effective Feb. 1, new fee schedules took place and new forms went into effect.
The Passport Book, for those 16 years of age and over, is valid for 10 years and increased from $67 to $75, plus the processing fee.
A Passport Book, for those 15 years of age and under is valid for five years. It increased from $52 to $60, plus the processing fee.
A Passport Card, for those 16 years of age and older is valid for 10 years. It cost $20 plus the processing fee. A Passport Card for those 15 years of age and younger, is valid for five years and costs $10 plus the processing fee.
The processing fee for the above options is being reduced from $30 to $25.
Applications for the new Passport Card began on Feb. 1. However, production for the card begins later this spring.
The Passport Card is only valid for land and sea crossings between the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean.
For those who already have a Passport Book, the card may be applied for as a renewal without paying the processing fee.
There is a new requirement for those under the age of 16. There is now a two-parent consent needed for minors under the age of 16 to obtain a passport.
The current turn around time for a passport is four to six weeks.
Passport book and card applicants will need to submit two color passport photos, certified birth certificate or passport book along with application and show photo ID for adults and parents’ ID for minors.
All applicants must personally appear except for those renewing a passport within five years of expiration date.
If you have questions or need more information, contact the Pondera County Clerk of District Court at 271-4026.
Passport information may also be obtained at www.travel.state.gov.
|
