No Borders NewsThe U.S. Department of State is proposing a change to the fee schedule it uses for consular services. The proposal is meant to implement the First Responders Passport Act by adding an additional exemption from passport fees.
Under the proposal, the Special Issuance Agency (SIA) would be able to issue no-fee regular passports to applicants who meet the criteria set out in the statute. The Department says this would be done by adding the new exemption to the existing Schedule of Fees.
This is a rulemaking proposal, not a final change yet. The Federal Register notice explains what the Department intends to do, but the exemption would only take effect after the rule is finalized.
For the official proposal, see the Federal Register notice: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/04/03/2026-06564/implementing-first-responders-passport-act-to-exempt-certain-first-responders-from-passport-fees