The U.S. Department of State has announced that U.S. passport fees will increase on July 13, 2010, according to Milwaukee County Clerk Joseph J. Czarnezki.

The fee for an adult passport book will increase from $100 to $135 and the fee for an adult passport card will increase from $45 to $55. The passport book fee for minors will increase from $85 to $105 and the fee for a passport card for a minor will increase from $35 to $40.

“If you need to apply for a passport, you should do so before the July 13 fee increase,” Czarnezki advised.

The County Clerk accepts passport applications from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, in Room 105 of the County Courthouse. Passport application forms are available in the County Clerk’s office or may be downloaded from the U.S. Department of State website at: www.travel.state.gov/passport.

Passport applicants must bring in a certified birth certificate and a valid government issued photo identification card, such as a driver’s license.

Passport photos are also available from Czarnezki’s office at a cost of $10. You can download a coupon for $1.00 off passport photos from the County Clerk’s web site at: www.county.milwaukee.gov/CountyClerk.

U.S. citizens must now present a passport book or passport card approved by the U.S. government to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda at land borders and sea ports of entry.

Additional information on the cost and how to apply for a passport is available from the U.S. Department of State at www.travel.state.gov/passport, on the County Clerk’s website at www.county.milwaukee.gov/CountyClerk or by calling 414-278-4067.

Passport information is available by telephone, in English and Spanish, by calling the National Passport Information Center toll-free at 1-877-487-2778.

Popular Interests In This Article: Fees, Passports