State Department

Book excerpt: As early as Jan. 31, 2008, U.S. citizens will be required to present a passport or other approved document to enter the U.S. at all ports of entry. The Dept. of State is developing a ¿passport card¿ as a means of establishing U.S. citizenship for individuals crossing U.S. land borders or arriving by sea from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, or Bermuda. State proposes to charge $45 for the card, which would include a $25 execution fee. Acceptance facilities, including State¿s passport offices, as well as post offices & state courts, execute passport applications on state¿s behalf, & retain this fee. This report examines: (1) the factors State considered when setting the proposed fee; & (2) how execution cost data were developed. Charts & tables.