Federal passport fees went up Tuesday.
Previously, applicants older than 16 had to pay a $100 fee, which has been raised to $110. There's been an added processing fee of $25. Renewals are also up from $75 to $110.
Passport fees go toward their own production but also help cover costs for emergency services for overseas citizens, according to the U.S. Department of State's website.
Part of the fee hike is supposed to help cover new advancements in passport-protection technology. U.S. officials hope the passports' new security measures, such as integrated computer chips containing individuals' biometric data, will keep travelers safer while abroad.
"Investing in new technology to prevent passport fraud is one of our key priorities, and an ongoing initiative," the website stated.
The fee will help expand passport infrastructure and service. The last five years saw a general increase in passport demand, peaking at 18.4 million in 2007.
"To increase our presence in underserved areas, the Department has undertaken a systematic expansion of the passport network," the website stated.
Gregory Webster, an assistant professor of psychology at UF, said he travels internationally at least twice a year. He renewed his passport last in 2007 and was surprised to hear about the fee increases, but not too worried.
"I'm a professor," he said. "So an extra $35 is pretty easy. If I were a student, I could see how that would make it harder to travel."
