I went on my first international flight when I was nine, so the little blue book has always been a part of my life. There were a few instances where I thought I had lost it – those were harrowing moments, indeed!
Dog Ate My Finances’ latest post got me interested because “only 10% of Americans have a passport” just seems really low to me. And I don’t always agree with what she says, but her posts can certainly be interesting (usually) and controversial (sometimes)!
I did some googling – while I can’t find any precise numbers, a January 2007 NY Times article indicated that according to the State Department, an estimated 27% of Americans carry a valid passport as of that date. Since that time, the government has implemented rules that require a passport to travel to Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, and Bermuda, so I imagine the percentage of Americans with passports would have increased.
So what are some reasons that more Americans don’t have passports? I can think of a few that might be the reason:
1. the expense of international travel
2. America’s distance from other countries (which makes travel logistically and financially more challenging than, say, a British citizen traveling to another European country).
3. lack of interest in other countries (? – It’s easy to make fun of the stereotypical I’m-only-interested-in-myself American, but I don’t think this is case, at least not the primary reason)
4. the plethora of vacation destinations available within the country (America is huge, and one could argue that New York and Texas are as different as two different countries. 
)
5. short vacations (especially when compared to European countries) – 2-3 weeks of time off per year doesn’t leave a lot of time for traveling.
I really enjoy living in California, but I also want to live abroad in my life. In fact, when I was younger I thought it would be amazing if my kids would be expats and become one of those super-lingual genius babies who can become native speakers in 3-4 languages.
Apparently, there is now a Passport Book (what we traditionally think of as the passport) and a Passport Card (a single identification card used for travel by ports-of-entry to Canada, Mexico, Caribbean and Bermuda, but cannot be used for international air travel). Because my parents have always paid for passport expenses, I never realized how much this documentation cost.
The U.S. State Department publishes a fee schedule for passport costs. Adult renewals passport book cost $75. Considering that a passport is valid for 10 years, it’s certainly a more than fair price (though expedited services often cost much, much more).
Unfortunately, I haven’t been out of the country since Spring of 2007. I am working on an overseas business idea. Who knows, perhaps my passport will be getting a new sticker in a few months.
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Coming from someone who has lived abroad for a year, I say go for it! I’m itching to do it again.
I think the biggest reason is the expense, as you mentioned. When I lived abroad, the travel was paid for by a grant so I was lucky. It I wanted to go back and visit, I’d have to shell out at least $1k–money I don’t have!
I think our relative distance and isolation from Europe and other accessible countries absolutely plays a big part in it. That said, I think everyone should make an overseas trek at least once. It’s a learning experience that no textbook can teach you!
I don’t even travel that much; I just have a passport because it is the easiest form of Identification.
I’ve had a passport since I was a baby. At one point, one of my passports (and i’ve had several because they expire) was filled before the expiration date, and I had to get one of those extra thick business ones. I wish I kept them all to show the extent of my travel, but alas, they were shredded. It’s still quite mind-boggling to me as to why the majority of American do not have passports, and I do like your reasons for it.
I haven’t been out of the country in quite some time, but I still carry a passport. I just feel unsafe not having one.. not sure why!
I think your “reasons” are probably pretty accurate. I didn’t have a valid passport for several years because I knew I wasn’t going to be traveling anywhere due to lack of money. I didn’t exactly see it as a form of identification, but just something you took out if you traveled overseas.
And then came the new regulations in which you couldn’t go on a cruise unless you have a passport. Well, I missed out on a couple really good deals and decided it was time to get mine, lol. So now I have a passport book and card.
I also think that many American’s don’t understand how to go about getting a passport, and because they do not plan to travel internationally, they don’t look into it. But there are resources like expediting services, that help people through the process of getting passports.
There are also many great resources for those considering starting a mobile international career. http://almostfearless.com/ is a great resource.
Yeah, i think a huge reason is we are far away from everywhere and we can visit another region of the country and feel like it is another country. And lack of vacation time. I haven’t been abroad for several years now because it has just made more sense to see local things I have never been to.
But 2010 is going to be a big trip year!
i’m renewing my passport this week in anticipation of my trip to india in the spring. i’m bummed to lose the really cool-looking chinese visa that’s in the pages of my soon-to-be “old” passport!
I was at the post office a few weeks ago and they were encouraging someone to get both the ID card and a passport! How silly I thought, while the ID card won’t take the place of a passport, a passport will serve the purposes of both. What a waste of money.
I’m one of those Americans without a valid passport. I would love to travel frequently, but as a new homeowner, I’m just not in the place where spending thousands on vacations is an option.
“In fact, when I was younger I thought it would be amazing if my kids would be expats and become one of those super-lingual genius babies who can become native speakers in 3-4 languages.”
^This would just be the dream, huh? My 23 year old self just got giddy! Then the 29 year old thinks it may just be too late for all that. I still want kids with dual citizenship — maybe I’ll just have to fly to Switzerland or something right before giving birth.
I moved to the US 10 years ago and was amazed at first by the number of people who did not have a passport as almost everyone in the Caribbean has one from an early age. I agree with the reasons you listed and really think one of the biggest ones is that the US really is so big that you go from Wyoming to Texas and then to Florida and it is like visiting different countries. LOL.
Many Americans never need to leave the country so there is no need for them to have a passport. Good for you ladies and gents who HAVE traveled!!!!!!