Event focuses on passports

The U.S. Department of State is partnering with the Duluth Main Post Office to hold a passport acceptance event from 9 a.m. to noon Friday at the post office, 2800 W. Michigan St. Representatives from the Minneapolis Passport Agency will be on-site accepting all types of passport applications — renewals, name changes, passport cards and additional visa pages. They will also be available to answer any passport or travel related questions and discuss the benefits of the passport card in regards to travel to Canada. This event is not limited to Minnesota residents and is open to all.

The U.S. Department of State introduced the passport card in 2008 to provide a less expensive, smaller, and convenient alternative to the passport book for those who travel frequently to certain destinations by land or by sea. The passport card is a wallet-size travel document that can only be used to re-enter the United States at land border crossings and sea ports-of-entry from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. U.S. Citizens can apply for both a passport book and a passport card. For travel by air, a passport book is still required.

The cost of a passport card for first time adult applicants is $55, but only $30 for adults with a currently valid passport book. For minors under the age of 16 the cost is $40. Adult passport cards are valid for ten years and minors’ cards are valid for five years.

For additional information on passports visit the State Department’s website at www.travel.state.gov.

Tags: news, travel, money