Rep. Mike Kelly hosts passport fair in Cranberry
The process of acquiring a passport can seem daunting, with plenty of waiting and obstacles.
On Wednesday, Aug. 14, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th, and his staff held their first Passport Fair at the U.S. Post Office in Cranberry.
“Our key is always constituent service,” said Kelly. “Anything that deals with any federal government entity, we’re the people who are there for the folks who are trying to gain something or look for something. We’re like their navigation system to get them through what is sometimes a very difficult way of getting things you need.”
Those seeking to attend the passport fair scheduled appointments online. Julie Swartfager, Kelly’s director of constituent services, estimated 24 appointments were made within the four-hour window.
The number of passports handed out by the United States hit an all-time high in 2023 with more than 24 million issued, according to the Department of State.
That figure has increased steadily during the last three years as the country emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The total price — which includes an application fee and an acceptance fee — for a first-time adult passport for people 16 years and older is $165. A U.S. passport is valid for 10 years. After it expires, an adult renewal for a passport book and card costs $130.
The routine way to obtain a passport can take anywhere between six to eight weeks to process. For an extra fee of $60, an expedited application can take two to three weeks.
“Having a passport, this is your door to anywhere in the world,” said Kelly. “It’s the idea of being an American and you’re going to have certain coverage that maybe you would not normally have from other places.”
