Passports

[170C]

While planning for the 2006 170 Convention in Canada it comes to mind that a passport is most likely needed to satisfy government identity requirements. I know one can go to the U S Postoffice and apply for a passport for about $97 plus an additional $15 for two color photos's (talk about a rip off!) or a total of $112. Sure seems like a lot of $$ for a simple item, but again its the US Government! Anyone know of a less expensive means of obtaining passports?

[phantomphixer]

Go to a Walgreens for your passport photos. Appx 1/3 the price. Not much else you can do for the governments price. Still gonna take around 6 weeks to get them back. Quicker to hand carry if you live near a Fed Building( big city).
We have to start carrying passports in 2007 to go across the Mexican border just for day shopping down here. Good luck.

[lowNslow]

$97 is the going rate from the State Department, so no getting around that, however, you can take your own head shots with a digital camera and print them yourself if you have the camera, printer, etc. or know someone that does. You can download the required forms at:
http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/fi ... t_830.html

[Velvet]

$97 is the price for expedited service. If you're not in a hurry, the cost is $67. I know this because I have already downloaded the forms since my current passport expires in a couple weeks.

Velvet

[Velvet]

It just ocurred to me that $97 may be the fee for a first-time passport. The renewal fee is $67. I should know better than to get involved. You know how controversial I can be.

Velvet

[lowNslow]

It just ocurred to me that $97 may be the fee for a first-time passport. The renewal fee is $67. I should know better than to get involved. You know how controversial I can be.

Velvet

Velvet, you are correct. The "first timer" pays $97 the renewal is $67.

[170C]

Hey Velvet, I appreciate your input. Technically this would be a renewal for Becky & I, but due to the time lapse since we last had a passport I think Uncle Sam will treat it as a "new" one.

[lowNslow]

Hey Velvet, I appreciate your input. Technically this would be a renewal for Becky & I, but due to the time lapse since we last had a passport I think Uncle Sam will treat it as a "new" one.

If last passport was issued in the last 15 years you still qualify for a renewal even if it has expired.
http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/re ... w_833.html

[Velvet]

lowNslow is correct, but you do need to actually still have the old passport to send in. If it is not available, then you have to start over with a new one.

I appreciate the tip from phantomphixer to get the photos cheaper at Walgreens. Too bad I can't use the same one when I was 10 years younger.

Velvet

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

Oh come on Velvet, I'm sure you could get away with that.

[Philip]

Well, there's also that Nigerian I know...

Just tell him what exactly you want on your passport, and I'm sure you'll get one better than the Government's own!

[Velvet]

Hmmm -- would that be the one whose name is Philip??

[Philip]

Velvet,

Nope, am into engineering, not paperwork... BTW, am Swiss. Don't usually put my residence address on my mail, though, as if you send out any mail from here, doors slam shut before you can spell "Nigeria"! Wonder why...

[buchanan]

I live in AK and part-time in northern MT.

I've flown, (the most recent was last summer), and driven, to and through Canada many times with nothing more than a driver's license and another form of ID.

Gloria and I are planning to drive to AK in a couple weeks and have NO passports, only copys of birth certificates and driver's licenses etc. Am I missing something regarding new requirements; or is a passport a belt and suspenders approach?

We've got a couple weeks to jump through whatever hoops are necessary so if passports are necessary we'd better get humping.

All comments appreciated.

Best..............2006..............Buck

[lowNslow]

The State Department site which "clarifies" this requirement is:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html
Here they mention the starting date as Jan.1,2008. However, if you go to the FAQs section it mentions Dec.31,2005. I don't think this is written in stone yet.