passport fees are going up

If you need to get your passport renewed, or if you've never gotten a passport in the first place, now is the best time to get one, because starting April 2, the total price of a passport book or a passport card is going up.

The cost of the document itself is not increasing. Instead, it is the acceptance (or execution) fee, that will increase to $35. That'll mean that the cost of an adult book will be $145 and an adult card will cost you $65. A child's passport book will increase to $115 and a child's card will now be $50.

You can actually avoid this fee if you mail in your application for a passport, though. But, if you're renewing at a US Post office, a public library, or somewhere else that accepts passport applications in person, you're going to get hit for that extra fee.

We've been recommending that people renew passports early for the past year or so. Frequent threats of government shutdowns have meant the possibility of delays in processing. And, considering some countries require that your passport be valid for a period of time after your travel--in some cases 6 months!--renewing early has always seemed like a good idea. But now, you've got another reason to get off of your duff and renew!