US passport fee to increase
The price will increase $ 10 from $ 25 to $ 35 for those who apply for the passport for the first time using form DS-11, adults first time-applicants (16 years and older), children and those who have lost or stolen the US identity document, the Bureau of Consular Affairs of the Department of State said on Wednesday.
Forewarned is forearmed: the US passport price is about to increase, as announced by the Bureau of Consular Affairs of the Department of State. "The Department of State establishes consular fees for an amount calculated to achieve the recovery of the costs incurred by the US government for providing the consular service. The latest service cost model showed that the costs associated with the passport process were higher than the current $ 25 fee”, the office explained.
The increase will not be charged to adults who are eligible to renew their passport by mail using Form DS-82. People who need to renew their passport can mail their application and documentation to the Department of State, and do not have to apply at an office where passports are processed. The Bureau of Consular Affairs recommends that people visit the section on the renewal of passports on their website. In addition to passport processing offices, post offices, court clerks or public libraries are also authorized to accept passport applications on behalf of the US Department of State.
There are more than 7,600 offices where people can apply for a passport and some are open at night and on weekends. The photos can be taken at these same sites. The announce came also with consolation. Despite the increase, they said, the US passport is not the most expensive compared to those issued by some Latin American countries. Processing a basic passport in 17 countries in the region costs an average of $ 55.7, according to CNN data of December 12, 2017. "The most expensive is the Chilean passport ($ 140.7) and the cheapest one is the Nicaraguan ($ 24.5).
Because of the difference in the dollar rates in Venezuela (official and parallel), the passport would occupy the last place in cost if the parallel change is taken into account ($ 3.69), but it would occupy the tenth place in the price table if it is taken into account for the official change ($ 42.1), it is said in the report. Uruguay is in the second position of the most expensive with $ 100, followed by Brazil and Bolivia with $ 77, Ecuador with $ 70 and Mexico $ 59. The Costa Rican passport costs $ 57, the Argentinean $ 54, the Colombian $ 53, the Paraguayan $ 37, the Honduran $ 35, the Dominican $ 34, the Peruvian and the Guatemalan $ 30, the Salvadoran $ 25 and the Nicaraguan $ 24. Let’s not ask Cubans. With the issue of double currency, a Cuban passport costs 100 Cuban Convertible Pesos. However, if you convert to the local Cuban Peso, the price would go to 2500 $. US citizens should be proud!