Date: Fri 30-Jan-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: KAAREN

Quick Words:

probate-passport-fees

Full Text:

Probate Court Announces New Passport Fees

The Newtown Probate Court, which acts as the local agent for processing

passports, announced this week that passport fees are changing effective

February 1.

The fees, which are set by the US Department of State, are going down

slightly, according to Probate Judge Margot Hall.

"They have improved the service. The customers will be getting more for their

dollars overall," she said.

The application fee for a ten-year passport for adults 16 and over will be

$45; previously those 18 and over paid $55. The cost of renewals has decreased

from $55 to $40.

Minors age 15 and under will pay $25, a decrease of $5.

The cost of processing passport applications and renewals will be going up,

however. The old fee was $10; the new fee is $15. This charge, which is in

addition to the application fee, is paid directly to the probate court.

Persons born outside the United States, whose citizenship has not been

determined previously, will pay an additional $100 for what is called a

"complex citizenship fee." These adults, aged 16 and older, will pay the $45

passport fee, the $15 execution fee, and the $100 complex case fee, for a

total charge of $160. Ages 15 and under will pay $140.

The fee per application for expedited service will be $35, an increase of $5.

This is a processing fee and does not include urgent mailing or delivery

service, which must be arranged by the customer.

The Probate Court office in Edmond Town Hall is open Monday through Friday

from 8:40 am to noon and 1 to 4:30 pm for passport processing. Processing

usually takes two to three weeks but may take as long as four to six weeks

during the busy travel months of March, April, May, November, and December.

To obtain a passport, in addition to the fees, applicants must provide two

passport photos, black and white or color, 2x2 inches, identical, with the

headsize no smaller than 1 inch and no larger than 1-3/8 inch; proof of

citizenship (either a birth certificate with raised seal and filing date,

certified by the official custodian of the record) or a previous US passport

or naturalization certificate; and identification consisting of a current

driver's license, or previous passport if issued after the 18th birthday and

within the past ten years.

All applicants 13 years and older must appear in person and sign the

application.

For more information, call the Probate Court at 270-4280.