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Passport changes increase inquiries
By Ashley Luthern
YOUNGSTOWN
Increases in passport fees took effect last week and have caused an uptick in inquiries at passport-issuing offices.
“We’re getting a lot more calls. Everybody was trying to beat the price jump, and you can’t blame them. Many were renewing their passports sooner than they normally would,” said Maryann Heim, assistant supervisor for passport and titles in Mahoning County.
The cost of a new adult passport is now $135, up from $100, and the cost for a minor under age 16 is $105, rising from $85.
The cost to renew an adult passport is now $110 instead of $75.
Passports are valid for 10 years for adults and five for minors, Heim said.
Offices in western Pennsylvania have also had an increase in demand.
“We have seen an increase in people,” said Elizabeth Fair, Mercer County prothonotary. “It’s the price increase. Everybody who came in, it seems that’s why.”
The fees fund emergency services to American citizens overseas in crisis situations, such as the earthquake in Haiti, or those who have been the victims of crime while abroad, according to the U.S. Department of State website.
“It hasn’t increased too much in the past, and you have $135 for 10 years, that’s $13.50 per year,” said Lorraine Caldwell of Youngstown.
“For what it provides, the services, disaster emergency relief and all the extra details like security, I don’t think it’s unreasonable.”
Passport fees also go toward expanding passport infrastructure and service, as the demand for passports has increased to an average of 15 million per year, according to the State Department.
The increase is not expected to alter travel plans.
“No one is excited about the fees increasing, but we don’t expect much of an impact,” said Tracy Edwards, manager of travel sales for AAA, East-Central. “The passport fee is just a small portion of the budget for a vacation trip, so there’s no major effect there.”
The costs have also risen for a passport card, which is the wallet-size travel document that can be used only to re-enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda.
Cards now cost $55 for adults, instead of $45, and $40 for minors under 16, up from $35.
Additional visa pages for passport books are now $82.
For more information, such as where to apply for a passport, visit travel.state.gov.