Schedule of Fees for Consular Services, Department of State and Overseas Embassies and Consulates

Résumé

This rule adopts as final the Department's proposed rule to revise the Schedule of Fees for Consular Services. No comments were received during the period for public comment. The proposed rule is therefore adopted as final. The rule also made appropriate implementing and other related changes in affected portions set forth in these regulations. Specifically, the proposed rule made changes in the Schedule of Fees for Consular Services ("Schedule of Fees" or "Schedule") and made technical changes concerning passport fees. The primary objective of the adjustments to the Schedule of Fees is to ensure that the costs of consular services are recovered through user fees to the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law. As a result of new data on the cost of services, most fees are being increased. The proposed Schedule lowers the notarial fee by shifting some of the costs of this service to appropriations. In addition, the Schedule of Fees is being restructured and streamlined, making the Schedule easier to read and understand. Some services have been removed from the Schedule; in most cases, this is because services have been consolidated. Certain consular services performed for no