The Essentials

The Latest Updates on U.S. Passports

It’s embarrassing to note how few Americans actually possess a passport. It’s about 40%.

If you don’t have one, or if you need to get a new one, now is the time before the summer rush begins.

Keep in mind that passports can take as much as six weeks to process. A new passport costs about $150, but it’s valid for ten years.

There are services that can expedite things and get you a passport faster, but that can cost anywhere from $60 extra and will get you a passport in about two to three weeks. Next-day service can run hundreds of dollars.

Here’s a hint. You’ll need to take passport photos to add to your application, but you should also take six more photos at the same time. Why? Many countries require visas, and you’ll need photos for those as well.