Poughkeepsie... Dutchess County Clerk Bradford H. Kendall is encouraging residents to apply for their US Passports before the US Department of State raise the application fees. 

According to Clerk Kendall, effective July 13th, State Department fees for a US Passport will increase ‘significantly’.  The current cost for a first time US Passport applicant over the age of sixteen is $100.  The new fee would see a first time applicant pay $135.  The fee for a passport renewal will also increase.  The new fee will be $110, up from $75.  Minors under the age of sixteen will pay $105; the current cost is $85.

Clerk Kendall stated,   “These fee increases are the third time the US State Department has raised their fees in less than five years. In February of this year, I asked the State Department to rescind their fee increase proposal, and consider other options that will not significantly impact residents who need a passport for business and or pleasure.  I reminded the State Department that it was their decision to require a US Passport for customary travel that at one time only required a driver’s license and or state identification card.  To again ask residents to come to the aide of the government is not only inappropriate, but it is becoming a chronic request.”

In an effort to accommodate residents who wish to apply for a passport before the fee increase takes effect on July 13th, Clerk Kendall will extend the hours of operation for passport applications on July 12th, keeping the Clerk’s Office, at 22 Market Street in Poughkeepsie, open until 7PM. 

For more information on applying for a US Passport, contact County Clerk Kendall directly at, 845-486-2195.