Applying For A Passport The High Cost Of Procrastination

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