You Can Get There From Here But Not Without A Passport

Traveling?
Well, should you choose to head to Cabo for a little late winter vaca, or maybe take that trip to Ireland you’ve been promising yourself or even if your next road trip involves a little swing over into our friendly neighbor to the north you are going to need a passport these days.
Of course, beyond travel a passport is just the ticket for identification purposes should you find yourself in need.
But how does one obtain a passport? Is it complicated? Is it expensive?
We asked Newaygo County Register of Deeds Stewart Sanders to shed a little light on the process.
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The Newaygo County Register of Deeds took over the role of a Passport Acceptance Facility in 2011.  We are a full service Acceptance Facility in that we accept Passport Applications and provide Passport Pictures.  We process applications from the hours of 8am to 4pm Monday through Friday with no appointment necessary. To submit an application you must have an original birth certificate and driver’s license.  All applications must be completed in Black Ink. You do not a passport to travel in the U.S. If your passport has expired within the last 5 years you may renew it online going through the U.S. Department of State website.  If you are seeking a passport for the first time you must do so in person at a U.S. Passport Acceptance Facility.
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U.S. Citizenship is obtained by birth or Naturalization.  The fees for submitting each application are as follows:
Passport Book
Minor (under age 16)    $80.00   good for 5 years.
Adults (16 years of age and older) $110.00 good for 10 years.
Passport Cards
Minor $15.00
Adult $30.00
Passport Processing Fee:  $35.00 
Passport Books allow travel on land, sea, and air.
Passport Cards allow travel on land and sea.
It is recommended by the U.S. Department of State when planning to travel abroad that you submit your Passport Applications in plenty of time.  The normal processing time is between 3 to 6 weeks.
When your application is processed, you will receive your original birth certificate in a separate mailing from your passport.
The Newaygo County Register of Deeds Office is located at 1087 E. Newell Street White Cloud.  The office is in the Administration Building which has a red roof and looks out over the North Parking Lot facing the Post office.

“A passport, as I'm sure you know, is a document that one shows to government officials whenever one reaches a border between two countries, so that the official can learn who you are, where you were born, and how you look when photographed unflatteringly.”-Lemony Snicket

Newaygo County Register of Deeds Stewart Sanders