Years ago, I got my US passport by going to the passport office, standing in line for about 30 minutes, paying about $30 and poof, there it was, I was done. Now, I'm trying to get a passport for my daughter to take a class trip and not only will they make us wait about 3 weeks to get it, but it's going to cost almost $100 for the thing.
WHY does it cost so much? Where is that money going, what's the justification for charging so much? In this day of computer records readily available online, why should a mass produced little book with an instant photo require this much time and money to process, and who decided it was fair to charge that much?
I find it rather alarming.
If you're from another country, how was it there? Are passports expensive and slow to get?
2007-11-27
15:39:11
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8 answers
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asked by
Melanie T
3
in
Politics & Government
➔ Law & Ethics
Years ago, when you paid $30.00, a passport was only valid for 5 years. When they changed to 10 years, the price rose to around 67.00.
It is still renewable for $67.00 providing you renew your passport BEFORE it expires.
With the new passport laws coming into effect, they have raised the price for new applications to almost 100.00. Now that most citizens are going to need one, it has increased the size of the Federal Department of State Immigration service....more employees, more pay checks, higher costs...
You know costs always get passed down to the consumer..... that's us.
2007-11-27 16:12:25
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answer #1
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answered by Anonymous
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How Expensive Is A Passport
2016-11-08 03:34:11
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answer #2
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answered by Erika 4
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"Years ago". That's your answer. Everything costs more to physically produce and there have probably been many changes in anti-counterfeiting technology that increase the price. It's not just a little book with an instant photo. It has a hologram and a bunch of other stuff built in.
Not only that, but they actually do some checking into what you claim on the application. Trying to weed out the terrorists and illegal aliens. Costs money to do that.
A valid US passport is a wonderful thing. Worth the wait and the $100.
2007-11-27 15:44:43
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answer #3
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answered by raichasays 7
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I'm from Canada my passport cost $40 took about 6 weeks to get
2007-11-27 15:42:57
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answer #4
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answered by Rob M 6
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You mustn't succumb to this invitation, this is not going to be in your interests at all. They'll use your address to buy goods in your name and bleed you dry of your bank account. And use your passport as an identity credential. Do not get involved with these people they are criminals and fraudsters. And tell your friends the same of what I've told you. And they will want to copy your passport for devious reasons. givemestrength
2016-03-22 21:00:47
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answer #5
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answered by ? 3
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For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/avl1U
Because they want to steal your identity. Don't do it. They can use that info to establish credit, obtain loans, even steal funds from your own bank and credit cards etc. and you would find yourself responsible. ------------- With the information available on a passport or utility bill, they could become "you" but with a different address. Also, most places allow purchases to be sent to addresses others than those of the cardholder/bank account owner (in the case of a debit card). This is a straight up attempt at identity theft. That £100 one would receive in exchange for important personal information could readily turn into a liability of hundreds of thousands of pounds.
2016-04-02 02:51:21
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answer #6
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answered by ? 4
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This is why i NEVER APPLIED for passport. it is no point of spending $100 when you aren't traveling to another country. I have nowhere to travel outside of America and for several years i haven't gone anywhere.
And you definitely do not need it, as form of identification because driver's license, social security, naturalization certificiate etc etc work as valid identification.
If i have to travel somewhere, only then i would apply but no way in earth would i apply for my passport today.
2007-11-27 15:47:13
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answer #7
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answered by Anonymous
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Passports have gone up in Canada about as much as in the USA. I think it's just because costs have gone up that much, and perhaps the checking is more rigourous now.
2007-11-27 15:45:45
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answer #8
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answered by Pagan Dan 6
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My passport took less than a week and cost me €70, I think. I'm an Irish national.
Nowadays they have this security stuff lasered into it, and watermarks and stuff, to make them hard to forge. Hence the expense and time it takes to make them.
2007-11-27 15:48:50
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answer #9
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answered by Orla C 7
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This is a clear example of how the government has shafted the middle class.
They gave us a tax break and then shifted the loss to fee's, other taxes, both hidden and obvious and in the end, the middle class got shafted even more through this tax shift.
Fines went up
Fee's went up
Obvious taxes, such as your cell phone, went up.
Local taxes increased because the fed was cutting back on state assistance.
Social Security went up.
Insurance went up, in part, because of increased government expenses.
Etc.
I call it a tax shift then shaft.
The middle class got reamed. The rich, obviously didn't plus it takes one hell of a lot less of percentage of income to pay for additional fee's, other taxes, etc.
The rich thus ended up getting richer off your financial backs.
Why people don't understand that and still stand lock step with the rich trickling down money in the form of dog bones to the middle class, is beyond me.
Peace
Jim
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2007-11-27 16:02:21
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answer #10
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answered by Anonymous
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