Implementing First Responders Passport Act To Exempt Certain First Responders From Passport Fees
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The U.S. Department of State issues a final rule effective April 3, 2026, amending 22 CFR Part 22 to implement the First Responders Passport Act from the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act. This adds a new exemption category under 22 U.S.C. 214(a)(2)(E), allowing the Special Issuance Agency to issue no-fee regular passports to specific first responders. Eligible individuals are those operating under a U.S. government contract, grant, or agreement for search, rescue, and disaster relief in foreign countries after natural disasters, or those required to be immediately available for such travel upon government notice, at the Secretary's discretion. The rule updates the Schedule of Fees for Consular Services by adding this exemption as item (e) under Passport and Citizenship Services exemptions. Applications are processed by the SIA and invoiced to the sponsoring federal agency via the Department's Working Capital Fund, with State Department funds covering costs. It currently applies to two Urban Search and Rescue Teams with about 200 members each. Issued without notice and comment under the Administrative Procedure Act's good cause exemption, the rule confirms no significant economic impact, no unfunded mandates over $100 million, and compliance with various Executive Orders. No new paperwork burdens are imposed.
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Key Changes
- Adds new passport fee exemption (e) to 22 CFR 22.1 for first responders under 22 U.S.C. 214(a)(2)(E)
- Exempts individuals under USG contracts for foreign search/rescue/disaster relief post-natural disaster
- Exempts those required to be immediately available for abroad travel on government notice
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Obligations
What this law requires
The Special Issuance Agency (SIA) must process passport applications from eligible first responders and issue no-fee regular passports to applicants meeting the statutory criteria under 22 U.S.C. 214(a)(2)(E)
Applications submitted for the First Responders Passport Act exemption category must be invoiced to the sponsoring federal agency under the Department's Working Capital Fund
The Secretary of State must exercise discretion to determine whether an individual meets eligibility criteria: operating under a U.S. government contract, grant, or cooperative agreement for search, rescue, and disaster relief in foreign countries; or required to be immediately available for such travel upon government notice
Department of State funds appropriated to the Department must be used to cover the costs of no-fee passports issued under this exemption
The Schedule of Fees for Consular Services (22 CFR 22.1) must include the new exemption category (e) for first responders operating under government contracts, grants, or agreements for search and rescue operations