The U.S. State Department has a year-end surprise for travelers, and it’s not a holiday present. Starting Monday, there’ll be a $20 hike in the ‘security fee’ that’s part of getting or renewing a U.S. passport.
The State Department says “the increased fee is necessary to ensure we continue to produce one of the most secure travel and identity documents in the world,” but did not give details.
Including the new increase, U.S. passport fees for those 16 and older will be $165 for new applications and $130 for renewals; under 16s, whose passports are valid for five years instead of ten, will pay $135. The fees for expedited processing, which reduces the waiting time by a few weeks, remains at $60.
