Comments on: New Passport Requirements As Of June 1, 2009.

By: Stephanie PTY

Stephanie PTY — Wed, 13 May 2009 22:00:46 +0000

Err, I said “6 months” once in that last comment, where I meant 6 weeks. I got it right later in the paragraph

By: Stephanie PTY

Stephanie PTY — Wed, 13 May 2009 21:59:18 +0000

Here’s my little passport story: realize that when you apply, they’ll take your birth certificate for six months. I got my passport when I was 16, and we decided I would apply for my passport and take my driver’s permit test on the same day. Unfortunately, we tried to do them in the wrong order: passport first. We handed in all of the info, and thought the woman would make a copy of my birth certificate and then give it back. Nope. She said she was sending it off and I would get it back in six weeks! Eek! But I needed to go next door and take my permit test! For a few minutes, she wouldn’t give my birth certificate back. Finally she did, but said if we didn’t bring it back by the end of the day, she would have to shred all of my paperwork. (Remember, we were just going to the next room over in the same building…)

An hour later, I passed my written permit exam, and we brought my birth certificate back to the passport office. There was a different woman behind the counter, and after explaining the situation to her, she pulled out my paperwork, took my birth certificate, and said “Don’t worry, this happens all the time!”

Whaaaaaaat?

By: zach

zach — Wed, 13 May 2009 03:03:44 +0000

I think everyone should have a passport. I read somewhere, that only 60 million Americans actually have a passport. A rather dismal number compared to other western countries.

They are expensive. I paid about 100usd for mine 5 years ago. My friend had to get his expedited and had like a month. I think the end cost was like 350usd, which is ridiculous.

With Canada’s new law passed in April that now makes me a citizen of Canada, I might get a passport from them since it’s 85usd.

By: Andy Hough

Andy Hough — Tue, 12 May 2009 18:19:08 +0000

Good Advice. I think more people should have a passport. A few years ago before they started requiring passports for travel to Canada and Mexico only 17% of Americans had a passport. My GF got her first passport earlier this year and hopefully we’ll be able to use it soon.

By: david

david — Tue, 12 May 2009 18:16:51 +0000

I agree, they are not cheap at all. But if you needed one in a hurry, the rush charge makes them even more expensive!

By: Miranda

Miranda — Tue, 12 May 2009 17:57:37 +0000

My passport just expired. I’m getting my stuff together for a renewal. I agree that they are handy to have. But a passport costs almost twice what it did 10 years ago when I got my first passport as an exchange student!