BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Erie County Clerk is urging Western New Yorkers to join in the fight against the proposed passport fee hikes.

The Department of State has proposed fee hikes that would increase the cost of a passport book for adults from $100 dollars to $135. A passport for children under the age of 16 would go from $60 to $80. The price of renewing a passport would also go up. And it's free now, but adding visa pages to your passport book will set you back $82.

County Clerk Kathy Hochul is now urging residents to voice their opposition to the fees. You can do that by visiting the Erie County Clerk's website at www.erie.gov/clerk.

Hochul is also encouraging citizens to apply for their passports as soon as possible, in case the new fees to go into effect.