Passport fees are set to increase for American citizens looking to renew their travel documents using form DS-82. The new fee structure, implemented by the U.S. Department of State, will go into effect on April 2, 2022. The price increase comes as a result of rising operational costs and increased demand for passports in recent years.
The fee for a standard adult passport renewal using form DS-82 will increase from $110 to $130. This represents a 18% price hike and marks the first increase in passport fees since 2018. The fee for a minor passport renewal using form DS-82 will also increase from $80 to $100, a 25% increase.
The fee increase for passport renewals using form DS-82 is intended to help cover the rising costs of processing passport applications and maintaining the security features of the travel document. The fee increase will also help fund improvements to the passport application process, including enhanced customer service and faster processing times.
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a significant increase in demand for passports as travel restrictions have eased and more people are looking to travel internationally. This surge in demand has put pressure on the passport processing system, leading to longer wait times for passport applications to be processed.
The fee increase for passport renewals using form DS-82 is part of a broader effort by the U.S. Department of State to modernize and streamline the passport application process. The Department of State is investing in new technology and hiring additional staff to help reduce wait times and improve customer service for passport applicants.
While the fee increase may come as a surprise to some travelers, the U.S. Department of State emphasizes that the cost of a passport remains a valuable investment for American citizens. A passport is not only a key travel document but also serves as an important form of identification for international travel.
In addition to the fee increase for passport renewals using form DS-82, there will also be a slight increase in the execution fee for first-time adult passport applicants. The execution fee will increase from $35 to $40. The execution fee is paid to an authorized acceptance facility when submitting a first-time passport application.
To help alleviate the financial burden of the fee increase for passport renewals using form DS-82, the U.S. Department of State is reminding travelers to plan ahead and renew their passports before the fee increase goes into effect on April 2, 2022. Passport renewals can be submitted up to six months before the expiration date of the current passport.
The U.S. Department of State is also encouraging travelers to consider enrolling in the Passport Renewal Notification Service, which provides email reminders to renew expiring passports. This service is free and can help travelers stay ahead of the passport renewal process.
Overall, the fee increase for passport renewals using form DS-82 is a necessary step to ensure the long-term sustainability of the passport system and to improve the overall customer experience for passport applicants. While the increase in fees may be an inconvenience for some travelers, the investment in modernizing the passport application process will ultimately benefit all Americans who rely on their passports for international travel.
