Applying for a Passport: The High Cost of Procrastination
Applying for a Passport: The High Cost of Procrastination
The cost involved in applying for a new passport is pretty high, even more so if you delay. If you put off the application process until near your travel date, you could find yourself paying an additional $300 or more to process your passport in time for your journey.
The fees for anyone 16 years or older are as follows: $55 for the passport application fee and $12 for a security surcharge paid to the U.S. Department of State Passport Services and $30 for an execution fee paid to the passport acceptance facility.
Processing time for regular service is six weeks. This is not guaranteed by Passport Services. Many factors can increase this time frame such as traveling during peak season or erros on your application.
You can request that your passport application be expedited if you only have a couple of weeks before departure. There is an additional fee of $60 for this service. As with regular processing, this time frame is not guaranteed.
You have two options if you need to obtain a new passport from a few days to as little as 24 hours. One, you can make an appointment at one of only 14 passport agencies in the U.S. and rush there to wait in long, cramped lines to get your passport.
Your second option is to use a passport expediting service. They can get your passport processed and returned to you on the same day if you need it. Fees range from $59 for 10-day service to $149 for same-day service. Overnight postage is extra. You will, of course, get your passport on time. It's guaranteed.
As you can see, waiting to the last minute can cost you a lot more money, time and unnecessary stress. There is a very easy way to avoid all this. Apply early. Send in your passport application at least three months prior to your departure date. You'll be glad you did.