Confused about Child Passport expedite options

This is getting too frustrating trying to figure out which fees I need to pay and how much it will all be. My children need to get their passports expedited for our vacation in July. I have seen so many different fees and total costs and it is incredibly confusing.

The expedite fees on the US department of state passport site are different from the fees listed on the websites of passport expedite companies who are offering their services. I'm not sure which one to go with but I do need to understand all these crazy fees first. Can you direct me to somewhere I can easily read the difference?




ANSWER:

Hello there,

I can see how it can be frustrating for you. Since passport expedite companies are privately owned and are trying to make a profit, they charge their own service fee in addition to the fees charged by the Passport Agency.

Also you will have to pay an extra expedite fee to the US Dept. of State in addition to the normal fees for regular processing. When you take your children's passport application and required documents to the post office for review by an acceptance agent, they will charge you a $25 execution fee.

In a nutshell, per person for your situation:

1. $25 execution fee to the USPS which you pay in person to the acceptance agent.

2. $80 child application fee is the regular rate. Add $60 because you need expediting. So it will be $140 payable by personal check to US Department of State which goes with your application to the Passport Agency.

3. If you hire an expedite company, you will pay their service fee separately to them usually by credit card. Each company has its own rates and they offer different processing times. The faster you want your passport back, the more they will charge.

4. Return shipping usually will be paid by you so inquire with the company you contact to ask how much the return shipping is.

Hope that helps, good luck!

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