In 2018, 42% of Americans had passports, up from 15% two decades ago. Americans could travel to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean without passports until 2008. Passports were redesigned in 2006 with a security chip. Passport fees go to the Bureau of Consular Affairs.
As of 2018, about 42% of Americans have a passport, a huge increase from the number of Americans with passports just two decades ago, which was closer to 15%. Part of the reason for this historically low percentage is that until 2008, Americans could travel to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean without a passport, just a driver’s license. Most other countries have long required passports for travel across borders, although Canadians were only able to travel to the United States with a driver’s license until 2008.
Learn more about the US passport:
In response to the rule change, more than 18 million passports were issued in 2007, up from about 12 million issued in 2006. These numbers have continued to grow, with 21.4 million passports issued in 2017.
US passports were redesigned in 2006 to include a new security chip. The chip contains all owner information and facial recognition information. There is some controversy about the fries because they are made outside the country, in Thailand.
U.S. passport fees go to the Bureau of Consular Affairs, which manufactures and issues passports, assists relatives in bringing home dead loved ones from overseas, and aids in U.S. evacuations during natural disasters.
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