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Various Ways To Obtain Additional US Passport Pages And The Costs Of Each

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The passport is an essential item to take on any trip outside the United States. This precious document can mean the difference between getting out of the U.S. and seeing foreign lands or being stuck at home. However, getting a passbook is not the only thing that individuals need to do in order to travel internationally. They also need have enough new passport pages in the book at all times.

Travelers who have less than two to four pages left in their passbooks are eligible to add more. People who travel regularly will know when they have reached this point but those who do not will need to dust off the passbook and take a look. If the book is filling up with stamps, it may be time to order additional sheets.

Requesting additional sheets is not a complicated process and it can be done in several ways at varying costs. The passbook holder should go to the Web site for the Department of State and download form DS-4085. This form may be printed and legibly completed by hand or it may be filled out online and then printed. Mail is the only way to submit the completed form because electronic means are not currently accepted.

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Those who do not have access to the Internet can obtain form DS-4085 from a Passport Agency or Acceptance Facility. In order to have the update made to the passport, the completed DS-4085 form must be submitted with the current valid new passports. The addition of passport pages is free to users who opt for standard processing. The Department of State advises that applicants mail the documents using a mail service that provides confirmation of delivery.

The amount of time that is required to process these requests is between four and six weeks. Travelers who need the passbook back before that time can opt for expedited processing. This will provide them with the updated book within two to three weeks. The expedited service charge is $60.00 and may be paid via money order or check. The package must be labeled with the words 'expedite' on the outside and the use of an overnight delivery service is recommended.

Passbook holders who need to receive their updated documents sooner can have the processing done by a private company at a higher cost. Actual charges will vary with the turnaround time requested, but the three to four business day service usually costs several hundred dollars in addition to mailing fees and the government expediting charge. Using a private company is usually an option attractive only to travelers in a rush.

There will be several additional forms required when using a private company for processing. In addition to the DS-4085 government form, the passbook holder must complete a document that authorizes the company to act on behalf of the individual. Applicants who request processing within seven business days or less must submit a copy of the flight itinerary, airline ticket, or employer authorization letter. Any of these will serve as proof that the passbook holder has immediate travel plans.

Passbook holders have several options when it comes to getting new United States passport pages. These include the government's free service with a turnaround time of six weeks or its $60.00 expedited service with a three week turnaround period. Individuals have one additional option if they are willing to pay more money in order to get the updated new passports within as little as 24 hours and that is using a private company.