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U.S. government to begin sending out passport cards, says passport applications to beat 2007's landmark surge
by Jennifer Edwards
Midland Reporter-Telegram
By Jennifer Edwards
Assistant Lifestyle Editor
If you're planning to cross a border any time in the next 10 years, the time to get your passport is now.
So say officials, who expect this year's total applications to surpass last year's record-breaking number of 18,014,000. They're expecting an increase because beginning June 1 of next year, a passport will be required to re-enter the United States from Canada, Mexico or any other countries visited on a cruise.
Currently, citizens can squeak by with just a driver's license and a birth certificate.
Though last year set a record, Cy Ferenchak, deputy spokesman for the Bureau of Consular Affairs, said this year's applications would probably break it.
"As far as our intake (so far this year), we're a little behind because last year was the first year you had to have a passport for air travel," he said, though he expects that to change later in the year.
Part of the reason is the new requirement; another reason is this is the first year the government will issue the passport card -- a slip of plastic the size of a credit card and imbedded with a computer chip.
The cards were created especially for people who live and work on the border, he said, and may only be used at sea ports of entry and the borders with Mexico and Canada.
"I imagine there are people who live on the border and cross the border once or twice a day," he said. "That's why we came up with a credit card-sized card. It's a little more convenient than a passport book."
The chip also will send a signal to border agents' computers as a car or pedestrian approaches, which he said will speed up the crossing process.
The U.S. Department of State, which has since February taken applications, will begin sending the cards out next week.
As of last week, about 275,000 have applied for the cards.
Though Ferenchak said the agency isn't expecting any delays receiving passports -- passports are reaching applicants in four to six weeks -- still, "we haven't seen the big rush yet."
Applicants can apply for both the passport book and the passport card on the same form. Those who are getting their passport for the first time must appear in person at one of 9,000 processing locations, according to the U.S. Department of State Web site.
Fees for the passport book vary depending on age and run from $85 to $100, while the card costs $35 to $45, according to the site. For an additional $60, the passport book or passport card will be overnighted.
On the Net:
The U.S. Government's passport Web site:
http://www.travel.state.gov
Jennifer Edwards can be reached at jedwards@mrt.com.
Assistant Lifestyle Editor
If you're planning to cross a border any time in the next 10 years, the time to get your passport is now.
So say officials, who expect this year's total applications to surpass last year's record-breaking number of 18,014,000. They're expecting an increase because beginning June 1 of next year, a passport will be required to re-enter the United States from Canada, Mexico or any other countries visited on a cruise.
Currently, citizens can squeak by with just a driver's license and a birth certificate.
Though last year set a record, Cy Ferenchak, deputy spokesman for the Bureau of Consular Affairs, said this year's applications would probably break it.
"As far as our intake (so far this year), we're a little behind because last year was the first year you had to have a passport for air travel," he said, though he expects that to change later in the year.
Part of the reason is the new requirement; another reason is this is the first year the government will issue the passport card -- a slip of plastic the size of a credit card and imbedded with a computer chip.
The cards were created especially for people who live and work on the border, he said, and may only be used at sea ports of entry and the borders with Mexico and Canada.
"I imagine there are people who live on the border and cross the border once or twice a day," he said. "That's why we came up with a credit card-sized card. It's a little more convenient than a passport book."
The chip also will send a signal to border agents' computers as a car or pedestrian approaches, which he said will speed up the crossing process.
The U.S. Department of State, which has since February taken applications, will begin sending the cards out next week.
As of last week, about 275,000 have applied for the cards.
Though Ferenchak said the agency isn't expecting any delays receiving passports -- passports are reaching applicants in four to six weeks -- still, "we haven't seen the big rush yet."
Applicants can apply for both the passport book and the passport card on the same form. Those who are getting their passport for the first time must appear in person at one of 9,000 processing locations, according to the U.S. Department of State Web site.
Fees for the passport book vary depending on age and run from $85 to $100, while the card costs $35 to $45, according to the site. For an additional $60, the passport book or passport card will be overnighted.
On the Net:
The U.S. Government's passport Web site:
http://www.travel.state.gov
Jennifer Edwards can be reached at jedwards@mrt.com.
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