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US passport fee to increase in April
The U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs will impose a $10-increase to the U.S. passport application fee effective April 2, 2018.
The increase only applies to U.S. passport applicants using the DS-11 form, such as first-time applicants over 16, children under 16, and applicants who re-apply after reporting their previous passport lost or stolen, said Finance Secretary Larrisa Larson
Passport manager Maggie Naputi noted that the $10-increase does not apply to adults eligible to renew their passport by mail using the DS-82 form.
“Renewal customers can mail their application and supporting documentation to the Department of State and should not apply at a passport acceptance facility or pay an execution fee,” Naputi said.
However, customers applying with the DS-11 form must pay two separate fees: an application fee to the U.S. Department of State and the execution fee to the passport acceptance facility.
These facilities include post offices, clerks of court, or public libraries that have been designated to accept passport applications on behalf of the U.S. Department of State.
The Department of State generally sets consular fees at an amount calculated to achieve recovery of the costs to the U.S. government of providing the consular service. The latest Cost of Service Model showed that the costs associated with passport execution were higher than the current fee of $25.
“We encourage the public to visit our Saipan U.S. Passport acceptance facility regarding any questions about first-time applicants or renewals. The U.S. Passport application requirements are also available online and we welcome applicants to visit our office at Ascension Drive Building 1321 on Capital Hill or call 664-4760 for more information on this fee increase,” Larson said.
The proposed fee change was published in the Federal Register as a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and public comments were accepted until Nov. 18, 2016, 60 days after the notice’s publication. The final rule, implementing the change, includes the department’s response to relevant comments received. (PR)
