New Passport Fees and Requirements

Phoenix, Ariz. February 1, 2008 - In addition to the new document requirements resulting from the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, the U.S. Department of State has now increased passport fees and requirements for passport services.

As of February 1, 2008, the costs for applying for a passport are as follows:

• Adults and children ages 16 and older - $75 plus $25 execution fee for a total of $100.
• Children 15 and under - $60 plus $25 execution fee for a total of $85. (Click here for a list of special documents required.

According to the State Department, the agency is currently processing passport applications within four to six weeks of receipt. However, abroad bound travelers who find themselves in a time crunch can utilize AAA’s partnership with Travisa, a service in which passports can be processed in as little as 48 hours.  Contact or visit your nearest branch office for more information on this service.

A less expensive option exists for travelers living near the Canada or Mexico borders. The U.S. Passport Card will carry the same rights and privileges as the traditional passport book, except it can not be used for air travel and will only be accepted at U.S. land and sea ports-of-entry when arriving from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda.  The passport card will be valid for the same amount of time as a full passport. 

For adults who already have a passport book, they may apply for the card as a passport renewal and pay only $20.  First-time applicants will pay $45 for adult cards and $35 for children.   

For more details on travel requirements, you can visit http://travel.state.gov/ or contact a AAA Travel agent in any of our 12 Arizona offices or at 1-877-248-6962.