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Putnam County Clerk Sant Announces Immediate Changes to Passport Process
Fee structure change results in less money to County
Putnam County Clerk Dennis J. Sant has announced that changes are coming to the passport application process, but as the old adage goes, "the more things change, the more they stay the same". The Putnam County Clerk's office recently received notification from the U.S. Department of State regarding some very important changes to the passport application process that will take effect on February 1, 2008.
The U.S. Department of State is now offering U.S. Passport Cards as an inexpensive and convenient way for U.S. Citizens to travel via land or sea to and from the United States and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean Region and Bermuda. The U.S. Passport Card may not be used for travel by air to those locations. The application for a U.S. Passport Card has the same requirements as a U.S. Passport Booklet and the same validity; 5 years for children under 16 years and 10 years for applicants 16 and older. The fees for a U.S. Passport Card are $20 for adults and $10 for children with an additional $26 application execution fee. If you are an adult holding a valid U.S. Passport booklet you may apply for a U.S. Passport card without paying the application execution fee.
Those interested may begin applying for a U.S. Passport Card on February 1, 2008, but the U.S. Department of State does not anticipate issuing them until "Spring 2008".
Beginning February 1, 2008 new passport forms will be available to accommodate the application for the new U.S. Passport Card. However, the Clerk's office, which was notified of the changes on January 24, has not received any new forms from the U.S. Department of State, nor are they available on their website www.travel.state.gov.
The affected forms include DS-1 1, DS-82, DS-4085, and DS-5504, The U.S. Department of State has informed the Clerk that the "old" versions of the aforementioned forms will not be accepted for processing after February 1, 2008.
The U.S. Department of State also announced new fee changes that will take effect on February 1, 2008. The Federal Government decided to reduce the amount of the passport application execution fee by $5 and increasing the U.S. Department of State fee by $8. County Clerk Sant said that, "This change essentially reduces the amount of funds the Putnam County Clerk's office receives so that we may provide our customers with the quality service they deserve and gives it to the U.S. Department of State for an undisclosed reason. In addition, the U.S. Department of State felt it necessary to charge an additional $3 for each passport booklet application received again for an undisclosed reason."
All applicants under the age of 16 must have the consent of both parents. This is achieved by having both parents appear with the applicant, execute the application and present certain identification. If both parents cannot appear, the applicant must appear with one parent who can execute the application and present proper identification and the "absent" parent can execute a form DS-3053.
If anyone has any questions regarding the current passport situation, Sant asked that they call the Putnam County Clerk's Office at 845-225-3641, extension 305 and a member of his staff will be happy to assist you. Last, Clerk Sant reminds the public that if they are unhappy with the current passport application process they should contact the U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators.
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