I just hope they don't allow the US passports to be manufactured overseas again this time. :)

The polycarbonate biodata page leads to increases in the costs of passports -- although don't expect too much honesty from governments on such matters, even when it come to those governments which eat the costs a bit anyway.

The passport perforation on all/most pages too has been done by the US before when it comes to US passports.

New passport? Not for this guy:

http://www.kare11.com/news/90-yr-old...sport/44280401

If he wants, he can get a US passport. [He has his early church records and probably can dig up even early school records around still if his family works at it.] If he applies now with the primary and secondary evidence and relevant testimonials, he'll get the current US passport version. If he applies later this year, he'd likely get the newer version of the US passport.

Whew! Crisis averted.

how much later is later? :)

thanks!

oh, come on... really, the Canadian Rockies?(no offense to Canadians, I'm sure it's lovely up there) why not a more exotic trip for his 90th birthday? for example: Europe, Asia, Australia, or even Antarctica! I'd be happy to contribute to him on GoFundMe. :)

My passport came while I was away last week (haven't seen it yet). Will I have the 2016 version or the older one?

I did expedited processing as well, if that matters.

Highly doubt you get new one considering lack of announcement from State. Contract was awarded end of last November.

I assume they're only re-designing new passport books.
Or are the passport cards getting new updates as well?

Thanks. I had been looking for info about the new standard but I couldn't find if State was actually implementing it not in January. Looks like I still have the crappily encrypted chip passport. :(

Regarding the awarding of the contract last November, it would seem that a protest against the winning bid (SAQMMA14R0203) was filed in December and isn't due to be settled until March 16. So I presume at that time they can start the bureaucracy actually in motion and roll out several individual passport samples by the end of December thus fulfilling the "2016" release.

http://www.fedmine.us/fedconnect_biz...49657006_.html

They may change its design, but I doubt their quality will undergo any significant modification. The cards were already using polycarbonate materials, laser engraving, holograms, laser perforation and other fancy stuff when they were first released in 2008. It seems that this will be the technology for the new passport books as well (8 years later).

By the way, my Ukrainian passport produced in 2008 already utilised this technology -- I especially like how the holder's photo is doubled with laser perforation which can only be visible if the bio page is held against the light.

Regarding the 'quality' of the US Passport Card, mine issued circa 2009 is delaminating already. There is a clear layer with textured graphics that is a third completely delaminated. If I gave it a firm tug I am sure that layer would easily peel completely off. Someone with nefarious intentions could probably peel that layer off and glue it over a nice laser printed something or other and thus 'import' all the fancy clear layer with textured graphics.

When I got it it looked like one piece. But mine is most certainly delaminating from just carrying it around in my wallet.

Huh. My card is from early 2011, and it's fine... maybe they fixed it? <redacted by moderator>