Y do we have 2 keep buying new passports?y not just renew them ,without havin 2 pay?

imhopper

Passports expire for several reasons. First, passports, like other visas issued to foreigners to seek entry to the United States, require extensive background checks. While these background checks can be done quickly, it is costly to maintain these databases. Further, a typical passport will expire in 10 years -- the expiration allows the Department of State to run another background check. (For example, did you know that if you owe child support, your passport can be denied?)

Another reason for expiration is much simpler: People's faces change. At airports and other ports of entry, officers identify you by your face. This is also why childrens' passports expire after 5 years -- their faces change faster.

The final reason is for security reasons. The US passport is the single most valuable piece of identification in the world. They are actively sought and used by international criminals and terrorists. There are many security features in the passport, and they are updated frequently to fight counterfeits. That's the reason, for example, for the new biometric passports.

While they are rather expensive, it's still cheaper than a visa. A foreigner must pay at least $100 for each non-immigrant visa application, whether or not the visa is issued. (Immigrant visas are even more expensive.) Some visas expire in 10 years, but many expire much sooner.

One more thing: If you just need new pages, and your passport has not yet expired, you may get new pages for free at any U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

teddybear

Not everyone needs or wants a Passport, so why should taxpayers buy yours for you?
You have to pay for renewals because paper, card and the work-force and machines, etc. all cost money! Also, as you age, you need new photos probably.

anastasia

Money. It generates revenue. Just like licenses, registrations. Since it was decided that we have to have these things, we need administrative people to maintain them; they need to be paid and our renewals generate these funds.

LongSnapper

I guess I don't exactly understand your question.

The way you say, "Why do we have to keep buying new pass ports..." makes it sound like you have to buy a new one every week.

I don't know what country you are in, but in the US you renew a pass port every 10 years, and in Canada you renew a pass port every 5 years!

Right now the fee to renew an American pass port is $67.00 and if you have to pay that once every ten years, it really ain't that bad. If you amortize that cost over the 10 years it cost you 67 cents a year. Is that such a problem?

hobo

Don't worry about this - just pay it if you have to have a passport

angie n

you need to up date your passport due to life change,the amount you pay go to wards wages the up keep of the building and the equipment,

Doug C

Everyone's talking about getting new passports cos photo and you age etc.. In that case if it was biometric would it be for life? I think not!Bureaucracy always breeds bureaucracy

romanisis

money 4 the coffers!

Nothing more to say..all is clearly explained by IMHooper and I agree.
also Graham H..has mentioned it first about the change of appearance of the passport bearer
I don't think it is not much to pay even we renew it..it gives more security..

robert m

They're afraid some of the old ones are forged.

Beau R

It's really an administrative fee.

Graham H

Because your appearance changes so you need a new photo in it. The photos can't be exchanged because they are sealed in with laminated plastic to prevent forgery. Your personal details also may have changed (name, next of kin etc) and your visa pages may be full. Also after 10 years a lot of peoples passport is in poor condition.

ANN F

i totally agree. it is ridiculous that you have to pay again and especially if you have kids and their passports only last 5 years and cost just as much. just another way for the government to get more money out of you. you pay tax so it should come out of that.

noodle

UMM, so the government can keep on making money. Otherwise they would give us one from birth to death.

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