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| Passport Fee Changes Please be aware that the State Department has announced that fees for US passports will be increasing as of July 13, 2010. US Passports are issued by the State Department and not by the Department of Homeland Security. The State Department’s announcement can be found at their website at http://travel.state.gov/passport/fees/fees_5079.html . Please be aware that the US passport and the DHS Travel document (for instance, those issued to refugees who do not have passports from their native countries) are two different items despite being similar in size and function. The most recent DHS travel document fees and forms can be found at the USCIS website, www.uscis.gov . New Passport Fees - Effective July 13 New passport fees for the U.S. Passport Book, the U.S. Passport Card, and other passport services will be in effect on Tuesday, July 13, 2010. The schedule of new
fees for
passport application services is as follows:
Passport application fees are not only used to cover the costs of producing a U.S. Passport Book or Passport Card. Passport fees also cover the costs of providing emergency services for American citizens overseas in crisis situations, such as the current earthquake disaster in Haiti, helping Americans who have been the victims of crime while traveling or living abroad, and providing support to the families of American citizens who have died overseas. Passport application fees enable us to keep up with technology and implement fraud prevention initiatives to protect the United States passport. The security features of the U.S. passport book have received high praise from document security specialists the world over. Investing in new technology to prevent passport fraud is one of our key priorities, and an ongoing initiative. Passport fees fund the expansion of passport infrastructure and service, allowing us to offer more timely service to the traveling public, maintain high standards for adjudication in accordance with US citizenship laws, and provide appropriate attention to fraud vulnerabilities. Over the last few years, the demand for passports has increased to an average of 15 million per year. In FY 2005, we issued 10.1 million passports; peaked at 18.4 million in FY 2007; and expect to issue over 15 million in FY 2010. To increase our presence in underserved areas, the Department has undertaken a systematic expansion of the passport network, particularly in communities affected by the land border-crossing requirements associated with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. By the end of FY 2010, we will have 23 agencies providing emergency passport services to the general public, three high-volume application processing centers, and two large-scale document print centers. Value of the Passport The U.S. Passport Book and U.S. Passport Card for adults are valid for ten years. Passports for minors under age 16 are valid for five years. The U.S. Passport is not just used for travel anymore. It serves as proof of U.S. citizenship and identity for important purposes such as work authorization and eligibility for many Federal benefits.Joe Kernan Community Relations Officer Department of Homeland Security United States Citizenship & Immigration Service USCIS Atlanta District Office 2150 Parklake Drive, 4th Floor Atlanta, GA 30345 770-508-1862 Proudly Serving the Public in Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, & South Carolina www.uscis.gov www.welcometousa.gov | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Information on Puerto Rico Birth Certificate Invalidation Good morning, As you may have heard in the news, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico has recently invalidated all existing birth certificates as a response to high volumes of fraud, identity theft, and other criminal activities. Please read the below announcement from USCIS regarding how this may affect USCIS customers and how Puerto Rican US citizens may obtain an updated and valid birth certificate. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns regarding this decision made by the government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. US Citizens who were born in Puerto Rico and who do not yet have a US Passport or other form of proof of US Citizenship may wish to act quickly in order to obtain the new birth certificate, especially if planning on traveling abroad or if anticipating any need for emergency travel in the unforeseeable future. Thanks, Joe Effects of Puerto Rico Birth Certificate Invalidation on USCIS Benefit Seekers WASHINGTON—On July 1, 2010, the Vital Statistics Office of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico began issuing new, more secure certified copies of birth certificates to U.S. citizens born in Puerto Rico, because of a new Puerto Rico birth certificate law. After September 30, 2010, all certified copies of birth certificates issued prior to July 1, 2010, will become invalid. After September 30, 2010, USCIS will not accept any certified copies of Puerto Rico birth certificates (PRBC) issued before July 1, 2010 for the purpose of establishing eligibility for immigration benefit petitions and applications. Petitioners and applicants may continue to submit PRBCs issued before July 1, 2010, to establish United States citizenship or a familial relationship through September 30, 2010. USCIS will honor PRBCs in support of immigration filings if received on or before September 30, 2010, even if the adjudication takes place after the PRBC becomes invalid. If an invalid PRBC is submitted in support of a petition or application, USCIS will notify the appropriate individual and give that individual the opportunity to submit a new, valid birth certificate. Does an invalid birth certificate affect my citizenship status? No, this law invalidates only the birth certificate. It does not change a person’s citizenship status. What if I already submitted a Puerto Rico birth certificate and my case has not been decided? If you have already submitted a Puerto Rico birth certificate, the new Puerto Rico law will not affect the adjudication of your case. How do I get a new Puerto Rico Birth Certificate? Individuals who were born in Puerto Rico and are now living elsewhere can apply for a new birth certificate on-line or by mail. Mailed applications will not be accepted until after July 1, 2010. Instructions on how to apply by mail can be found at: www.prfaa.com/birthcertificates/ and www.prfaa.com/certificadosdenacimiento/.Joe Kernan Community Relations Officer Department of Homeland Security United States Citizenship & Immigration Service USCIS Atlanta District Office 2150 Parklake Drive, 4th Floor Atlanta, GA 30345 770-508-1862 Proudly Serving the Public in Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, & South Carolina www.uscis.gov www.welcometousa.gov | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||