Learn About U.S. Passport Costs and Payment Options

Understanding U.S. Passport Costs and Fees

A U.S. passport comes with several fees that vary depending on the type of passport you need and how quickly you want to receive it. Understanding these costs upfront helps you plan your budget and know what to expect when you visit a passport acceptance facility or post office.

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For a new passport book (the most common type), the execution or issuance fee is $130 for adults ages 16 and older. This is the fee paid to the U.S. Department of State for processing and producing your passport. If you are under 16 years old, the passport book fee is $100. These prices have remained consistent since 2021, though the State Department may adjust fees periodically.

In addition to the passport book fee, you must also pay an acceptance fee. This fee goes to the facility that accepts your application, whether that is a post office, library, courthouse, or passport agency. The acceptance fee is currently $35 for passport books. This fee is separate from the book fee, meaning your total cost for a new adult passport book is $165 ($130 + $35).

Passport cards, which are smaller and less common than books, have different pricing. The card-only fee is $50, plus the same $35 acceptance fee, totaling $85. However, many people choose to get both a book and a card together. A book and card combo costs $165 for the book plus $20 for the card (no additional acceptance fee when ordered together), totaling $185.

Renewal fees differ from new passport fees. If you are renewing a passport by mail, the fee is $130 for the passport book with no acceptance fee required. A passport card renewal by mail is $20. A passport book and card renewal together by mail costs $150. These mail renewal fees apply only if you meet specific renewal requirements, such as your passport being undamaged and issued when you were 16 or older.

Practical takeaway: Write down whether you need a new passport or a renewal, your age, and whether you need a book, card, or both. This information determines your exact cost. For new adult passports with a book and card, expect to pay $185 total.

Payment Methods and Where to Pay

The U.S. Department of State accepts several payment methods, but your options depend on where you submit your application. Understanding what each location accepts helps you prepare the correct payment before your visit.

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At passport acceptance facilities (post offices, libraries, courthouses, and some municipal buildings), you can typically pay with cash, check, or money order. Some locations may also accept credit or debit cards, but this varies by facility. When paying with a check or money order, make it payable to the "U.S. Department of State." Cash payments are straightforward—bring the exact amount or be prepared for change.

If you are renewing your passport by mail, payment methods are more limited. You must include a check or money order with your application. Do not send cash through the mail, as it can be lost. Like facility payments, make checks and money orders payable to the "U.S. Department of State." Include your Social Security number or passport number on the back of your check or money order so your payment can be matched to your application.

At passport agencies (located in major cities), you can typically pay with cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card. Passport agencies are different from acceptance facilities—they handle expedited services and lost or stolen passports. Not all areas have a passport agency, so check the State Department website to find locations near you.

For certain expedited or emergency services, some passport agencies may accept payment by card over the phone when you schedule an appointment. However, this is not available everywhere. Always call ahead or check online to confirm what payment methods your specific location accepts.

It is important to note that passport fees do not include any additional services like photographs or document authentication. Many post offices and some libraries offer passport photos for an additional fee, typically $10 to $20 per set of photos.

Practical takeaway: Call or visit the website of your specific passport acceptance location before going in person. Confirm what payment methods they accept and whether they offer photo services. Bring at least one backup payment method in case your first choice is not accepted.

Expedited and Emergency Service Costs

If you need your passport faster than the standard processing time, the State Department offers expedited and emergency services—each with additional fees beyond the regular passport cost.

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Standard processing for a new passport typically takes 6 to 8 weeks. Expedited processing accelerates this timeline to 2 to 3 weeks. For expedited service on a new passport book, you pay an additional $60 fee on top of the regular $130 book fee and $35 acceptance fee. Your total cost becomes $225. Expedited service is not available for passport cards ordered alone, only for books and book-and-card combinations.

If you need your passport even faster, rush expedited service (available only at passport agencies and some acceptance facilities) promises processing in 1 to 3 business days. Rush expedited service costs an additional $70 (not $60) on top of regular fees. However, rush expedited requires an appointment and is only available at a limited number of locations, primarily in major cities.

Emergency passport service is for travelers who need a passport within 24 hours. This service is only available at passport agencies and costs an additional $70. You must have proof of international travel within 14 days to use emergency service. This service produces a passport that is valid for 2 years instead of the standard 10 years for adults, helping you travel immediately while your full-validity passport is being prepared.

Processing times have changed over the years. As of 2024, standard processing is taking longer than the 6 to 8 week estimate due to higher demand at passport agencies. Before paying for expedited service, check the current processing times on the State Department website. Sometimes standard processing times have improved enough that paying extra may not be necessary.

It is also worth noting that paying for expedited service does not guarantee you will receive your passport on a specific date. Service categories indicate a target timeline, but delays can occur due to errors in applications, missing documents, or other factors. Review all documents and forms carefully before submitting to reduce the chance of delays.

Practical takeaway: Add $60 to your total cost if you want 2 to 3 week processing, or $70 if you want rush service or emergency processing at a passport agency. Check current processing times first—if standard times are short, expedited fees may be unnecessary.

Replacement and Amendment Service Costs

Beyond new passports and renewals, the State Department offers other passport services with their own costs. These include replacing a lost or stolen passport, correcting errors, and updating information.

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If your passport is lost or stolen, you cannot renew it by mail. Instead, you must apply for a replacement passport, which is treated as a new application. The cost is the same as a new passport: $130 for the book, $35 acceptance fee, and $100 for the book if you are under 16. If you need the replacement quickly, expedited service costs an additional $60. You will also need to pay for new passport photos, as your application will require them. Bring documentation of the loss or theft, such as a police report, though this is not always required.

Corrections to information on a passport (such as a misspelled name, wrong date of birth, or incorrect citizenship information) are handled differently depending on whether the error was made by the government or by the applicant. If the State Department made the error, corrections are generally free. If you made an error on your application form, you may need to pay a correction fee, which varies by the type of correction needed. Contact the passport agency directly for clarity on your specific situation.

Name changes require a new passport and are treated as a new application, not a simple update. This means you pay the full new passport fee ($165 for a book plus acceptance). You will need legal documentation of your name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Many people combine a name change with a book-and-card order, bringing the total to $185.

Passport amendments involve adding information to your existing passport without issuing a new one. Examples include adding a note about a religious or cultural name. Amendment fees are typically under $100, but you should verify the