BigRigRVing
formerly CA
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Get your passport now: feds want to jack up fees into the triple digits
Jason Cochran
Mar 4th 2010 at 3:15PMText SizeAAAFiled under: Transportation, Travel, Recession, In the News
Given our limitations in vacation time and geography, it's already hard enough to get Americans to venture out and see the rest of the big, wide world.
The State Department apparently isn't concerned about helping us integrate into the global village, though, because it's on the verge of pulling the trigger on giant passport fee hikes that far outstrip the rate of inflation.
If the fees go through, first-timers will pay $135 to get their passports, up from $100, and kids will pay $105, up from $85.
Renewals will cost $110 (instead of the current $75), and Passport Cards, which are good for non-air travel, will rise by 50%, from $20 to $30 if you already have a passport book, and to $55 from $45 if you don't.
If you just want to add pages to your passport, which is completely free now, the government will start charging you a scalding $85 -- more than a whole new passport costs right now on renewal.
The public has until March 11 to oppose the new fees. You can do that by submitting your comments on this form or by e-mailing fees@state.gov with the subject line RIM (1400-AC58).
Part of the problem, or so the State Department says, is that the addition of new security features such as RFID chips have upped the cost of making passports. That they have hiked the cost by 35% is certainly up for debate, but there's no debating that the '00s saw the addition of many new layers of "homeland security" bureaucracy that must be fed somehow.
High passport fees don't just keep us at home. They discourage international relationships in general. CNN quoted New York Representative Brian Higgins as saying, "We need to literally and figuratively build bridges that encourage cross border tourism, commerce and economic opportunity and this move would do just the opposite."
The head of Niagara Falls tourism was "shocked" at the move, telling CNN: ""It's very difficult to get our American visitors across the border for so many reasons right now. This is certainly not good news for people in the U.S. who may not be able to afford a passport and it's certainly not good news for tourism destinations."
The right to travel is a precious one that many national governments deny its citizens by law. Americans have that right, but because of where our nation is positioned on the globe, largely separated from the rest of the planet's population centers by seas, the ability to go abroad is already so expensive that millions of Americans are unable to do it. Hiking passport fees will just elevate the obstacle between the common man and his God-given right to free movement.
Gary & Cheryl and our chocolate lab named Caddy
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Turbo Diesel Dude
Green Mountain, NC
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We just got ours. Took about 13 days start to finish. Cost us $100 each plus $25.00 each to the court house. Really fast service from what I'd heard.
charles weidman
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belfert
Shoreview, MN, USA
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The real question is should tax dollars subsidize passwords to encourage international travel? It sounds like passports now cost more to make than the cost charged to the customer.
I don't have a passport in large part because they cost so darned much already. I haven't been to Canada or Mexico in many years. So far I've not missed out on a trip to Canada due to lack of a passport as I've had no reason or desire to go.
If they cost maybe $25 I would probably get one just in case I ever did decide to travel internationally.
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wxman1
Sacramento ca
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belfert wrote:The real question is should tax dollars subsidize passwords to encourage international travel?
Amazing, those liberals are at it again! With all the passwords I am required to use they must owe me some $$$$
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pegdiver
New Jersey
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A passport is for 10 yrs --
Want to drive to Alaska? have to go to Canada to do that!
Sure there are many sights to see in the US of A but meeting people from all over is wonderful. Seeing sights in Canada - and how they are really glad you came is wonderful.
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Only 3 states to go in the USA, most of Canada and some of Mexico too!
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BillB800si
S.E. MICHIGAN
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Come on folks, a passport is good for 10 years.
Present cost $100 is only $10/year.
Proposed cost $135 is only $13.50/year.
Now any of us can afford that. Especially since it increases our security.
Bill B. (Michigan)
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wny_pat
Western NYS
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Considering what a passport cost two hundred years ago, its a deal today!
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Sunbird
Lizard Acres, Arizona
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"Efficient" government took long enough to bring out the cards, it took them years.
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Jcghill
CALI
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My daughter's passport expired last month, so I better get in there. Also kids passports are only good for 5 years.
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PackerBacker
Montreal Qc Adirondacks,NY
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BillB800si wrote:Come on folks, a passport is good for 10 years.
Present cost $100 is only $10/year.
Proposed cost $135 is only $13.50/year.
Now any of us can afford that. Especially since it increases our security.
My thoughts exactly when I was reading this. At least you folks in the US get 10 years, our passports are only good for 5 years here in Canada.
Eric
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