THE NEW U.S. PASSPORT CARD
U.S. citizens may begin applying in advance for the new U.S. Passport Card beginning
February 1, 2008, in anticipation of land border travel document requirements. We expect
cards will be available and mailed to applicants in spring 2008.
The passport card will facilitate entry and expedite document processing at U.S. land and sea
ports-of-entry when arriving from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. The
Department of State is issuing this passport card in response to the needs of border
resident communities for a less expensive and more portable alternative to the traditional
passport.
The passport card is by definition a passport and will be considered proof of U.S. citizenship.
The card may not, however, be used to travel by air. The passport card will otherwise carry
the rights and privileges of the U.S. passport book and will be adjudicated to the exact same
standards.
The card will have the same period of validity as the passport book: ten years for an adult
(age 16 and older), and five years for children 15 years and younger. If you already have a
passport book, you may apply for the card as a passport renewal and pay only $20. The fee
for a first-time adult applicant will be $45. The fee for a minor applicant under the age of 16
will be $35.
THIS E-MAIL IS UNCLASSIFIED BASED ON THE DEFINITIONS PROVIDED IN E.O. 12958.
Warden Message: February 01, 2008:
Increases to U.S. Passport Fees and
New Parental Signature Requirements for U.S. Minors
On February 1, 2008, the U.S. Government will increase its fees for certain U.S. citizen
passport services. For adult applicants renewing a passport, the total fee will increase to
$75. For first-time applicants age 16 and over, the total fee will increase to $100. The fee
for minors under 16 years of age will be $85.
Effective February 1, 2008, passport applicants who are U.S. citizen minors under the age of
16 must appear personally with their parents to establish identity, proof of citizenship and
proof of relationship. For parental application permission, both parents must appear
together and sign, or one parent may appear to sign and submit the other parent’s notarized
statement, or one parent may appear, sign, and submit primary evidence of sole authority.
Minors age 16 and 17 may apply in person with their own identification, but for security
reasons, parental consent may be required. If your child does not have identification of
their own, a parent will be required to accompany the child and present identification.
Please refer to the Department of State’s website at www.travel.state.gov for complete
information on all new requirements, including downloadable revised forms that must be
used as of February 1, and the U.S. Embassy website at manila.usembassy.gov, for complete
U.S. passport application instructions.
Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the U.S. Embassy’s website manila.
usembassy.gov and the U.S. Department of State's travel website at www.travel.state.gov ,
where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts can be found. The
U.S. Embassy also encourages U.S. citizens to review to "A Safe Trip Abroad," found at http:
//travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1747.html , which includes valuable security
information for those both living and traveling abroad. In addition to information on the
Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-
407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada, or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll
line at 1-202-501-4444.
Citizens living and residing in the Philippines are advised to register their presence in the
country through the U.S. Department of State's automated online registration system, https:
//travelregistration.state.gov. U.S. citizens may also contact the Consular Section at the U.S.
Embassy via e-mail or by calling (02) 301-2000. This complete message is available on the
Embassy’s website at manila.usembassy.gov. The U.S. Embassy is located at: 1201 Roxas
Boulevard, Manila, Philippines, tel. (02) 301-2000. The Consular American Citizen Services
(ACS) section's fax number is (02) 301-2017.
THIS E-MAIL IS UNCLASSIFIED BASED ON THE DEFINITIONS PROVIDED IN E.O. 12958.
WARDEN MESSAGE
January 16, 2009
Payment of U.S. Passport Fees
Effective February 2, 2009, the Embassy-contracted courier, Air21/FedEx, will no longer
accept payments for passport applications. Air 21/Fedex will continue to deliver U.S.
passport application forms, submit personal U.S. passport applications to the Embassy, and
return completed U.S. passports to customers.
U.S. passport fee payments may be made by the applicant, or his/her representative, at the
U.S. Embassy in Manila, Window D, American Citizen Services, between 7:30 a.m. and 11:00
a.m., Monday through Friday, except on U.S. and Philippine holidays. Payments may also be
made at our American Consular Agency in Cebu between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., Monday
through Friday, except on U.S. and Philippine holidays. Payments mailed directly to the
Citizenship and Passport Unit, American Citizen Services, Consular Section, U.S. Embassy,
1201 Roxas Blvd., Manila will be accepted.
Unfortunately, the U.S. Embassy cannot assume any responsibility for payments sent to us.
Payments may be made in cash or via credit card only.
For questions, please contact the Citizenship and Passport Unit, American Citizen Services
of the U.S. Embassy at (02) 301-2000, local 2555 or 2532, between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except on U.S. and Philippine holidays. We can also be reached via
e-mail: acsinfomanila@state.gov.