Census Bureau Hikes Fees to Prove Your Age from Old Records
Published Date: 2/23/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The Census Bureau is planning to raise the Age Search service fee from $65 to $155 and speed-up fees from $20 to $50 to cover real costs. This affects anyone needing official proof of age from census records, like for Social Security or passports. Comments on these changes are open until April 24, 2026, so get ready to share your thoughts!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Age Search fee rises to $155
If you need an official Age Search transcript from Census records (used as proof of age for Social Security, passports, inheritance, or similar), the Census Bureau proposes raising the fee for a search of one census for one person from $65.00 to $155.00. Written comments on the proposal are open until April 24, 2026.
One-day expedited fee increases
If you request expedited Age Search results within one day, the additional expedited charge would increase from $20.00 per case to $50.00 per case. That extra charge would be added on top of the transcript fee (proposed $155.00); comments are due April 24, 2026.
Other transcript and schedule fees set
The proposed rule specifies other charges: $2.00 for each additional copy of a census transcript and $10.00 for each full schedule requested (the $10.00 for a full schedule is in addition to the $155.00 transcript fee). These amounts are listed in the revised 15 CFR 50.5 fee table.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
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2026-20155, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics (LEHD)
The Census Bureau wants to keep collecting data for the Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics (LEHD) program, which helps track jobs and workers over time. They’re asking the public to comment by November 30, 2026, before they get final approval from the Office of Management and Budget. This keeps the data flowing without adding extra hassle or cost to businesses and workers.
2026-19301, Proposed Data Sharing Activity
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2026-18481, Decennial Census of the Population of Americans; Proposed Residence Criteria and Proposed Regulations for Demographic Questions
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