In a recent announcement from the United States Department of State, it has been revealed that there will be an increase in fees for US passport applications and renewals starting in 2023. This decision comes as a result of rising costs associated with processing passports and maintaining secure systems to prevent fraud and identity theft.
The new fees for passport applications will be as follows: $110 for a first-time adult passport book, $30 for a first-time adult passport card, $60 for a minor’s passport book, and $15 for a minor’s passport card. Passport renewals will cost $110 for both adult passport books and cards, and $60 for minor renewals.
These fee increases are significant, with first-time adult passport book applications seeing a $20 increase, first-time adult passport card applications seeing a $10 increase, and minor passport book applications seeing a $10 increase. Renewals for adult passport books will also see a $20 increase.
The Department of State has stated that these fee increases are necessary to cover the costs associated with processing passport applications and maintaining secure systems to prevent fraud and identity theft. The fees collected from passport applications and renewals go towards funding the Passport Services program, which is responsible for issuing millions of passports each year to US citizens.
In addition to the fee increases for passport applications and renewals, there will also be an increase in the fee for expedited processing. The current fee for expedited processing is $60, but this will be raised to $75 in 2023. This fee is in addition to the regular application fee and is paid by individuals who need their passports more quickly than the standard processing time.
For individuals who need their passports urgently, there is also the option of using the Department of State’s expedited passport services. These services can provide a passport in as little as 24-48 hours, but come with an additional fee of $170 on top of the regular application fee.
It is important to note that these fee increases will only apply to passport applications and renewals submitted on or after January 1, 2023. Applications submitted before this date will not be subject to the new fees.
The Department of State has advised individuals who are planning on applying for or renewing a passport in the near future to be aware of these fee increases and to budget accordingly. They have also emphasized that the fees collected from passport applications and renewals are used to fund vital programs that help to ensure the security and integrity of the US passport system.
Overall, the fee increases for US passport applications and renewals in 2023 are a reflection of the rising costs associated with processing passports and maintaining secure systems. While these fee increases may come as a disappointment to some, they are a necessary measure to ensure the continued security and efficiency of the US passport system.
