Clerks Oppose Passport Fee Hike

St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties' clerks say a proposed U.S. Department of State passport fee increase will hurt North Country families who are already struggling in a tough economy.

"It's going to put a burden on a lot of people," said Cheryl D. Lane, Jefferson County clerk. "The price of everything is going up. It's another expense for our military, too."

The proposal increases the cost of an adult passport from $100 to $135 and an adult passport renewal from $75 to $110. Passports for children under 16 will cost $105 rather than $85, first-time passport cards for adults will be $55 instead of $45, and children's passport cards will go from $35 to $40.

According to the State Department's Web site, the fee increase is necessary to cover the cost of producing a greater volume of passports since June 1, when rules took effect requiring all U.S. citizens to present the document when crossing into Canada and Mexico.

A 30-day public comment period on the proposal ends at 11:59 p.m. Thursday, and the fee increases will take effect "as soon as practicable" after the comment period, according to the Web site.

St. Lawrence County Clerk Patricia A. Ritchie said clerks were told about the plan earlier this week.

"It doesn't give us much time for anybody to comment," she said. "It's a real hardship for families to pay $100 apiece for a passport, especially when you're talking about a mom, a dad and a couple of kids. The reason they're using is that they're dealing with a greater number of passports. The only reason the numbers are up is that they're requiring people to get them."

Counties keep $25 from each passport application clerks process. Mrs. Ritchie said her office processed 743 passport applications in 2009. Mrs. Lane said her office has processed 657 since June 1. Figures from 2008 were not readily available, but both said they've seen a significant increase in passport applications since June 1.

"We're more apt to get passports than people downstate because we're closer to the border," Mrs. Lane said. "Going to Canada is a routine thing for a lot of people up here."

Mrs. Ritchie said she hopes the New York State Association of County Clerks will take a stand against the proposal.

"It's going to affect us mostly, but it's something that's a problem for all of us," Mrs. Ritchie said.

Information about the proposal is online. Comments may be submitted online or by mail, to U.S. Department of State, Office of the Executive Director, Bureau of Consular Affairs, 2401 E. Street NW, Suite H1001, Washington, D.C., 20520.

on the net

U.S. State Department: http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/

fees/fees_4734.html