New consular fees now effective

The Department of State implemented a new Schedule of Fees for Consular Services in the Federal Register July 13.

The schedule includes fees for passports, immigrant visas and other consular services.

The new fees are based on a Cost of Service Study completed by the Bureau of Consular Affairs in June 2009.

This study, which was the most detailed and exhaustive ever conducted by the Department of State, established the true cost of providing consular services, which by law must be recovered through the collection of fees.

The revised fees cover actual operating expenses for the 301 overseas consular posts, 23 domestic passport agencies and other centers that provide these consular services to U.S. and foreign citizens. The new fees for the following services offered at the Ramstein Passports Office are as follows:

• The total charge for a first-time passport book for an adult will increase from $100 to $135.

• The total charge for an adult passport book renewal will increase from $75 to $110.

• The total charge for a minor passport book (age 16 and under) will increase from $85 to $105.

• The total charge for an adult passport card will increase from $20 to $30.

• The total charge for a minor passport card will increase from $10 to $15.

• The charge for a consular report of birth abroad will increase from $65 to $100.

Passport cards may be used to travel to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports only. It cannot be used for international air travel.

A complete list of the new fees, including visa for non-citizens, can be viewed at www.travel.state.gov.

(Courtesy of 86th Mission Support Squadron)