Free Guide to U.S. Passport Costs and Fees

Understanding U.S. Passport Fees

A U.S. passport is an official travel document issued by the U.S. State Department that proves your citizenship and identity when you travel internationally. Before you request a passport, it's important to understand the costs involved. The State Department charges fees for passport services, and these fees vary depending on the type of passport you need and your age.

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As of 2024, the State Department charges a passport book fee and a execution (processing) fee. The passport book fee is the cost of the actual document itself. The execution fee is charged for processing your request. These are two separate charges you'll pay when you submit your application.

For adults age 16 and older, the passport book fee is $130. If you're applying for a passport for the first time or your passport was lost or stolen, you'll also pay a $35 execution fee. This means your total cost would be $165. If you already have a passport that's expired or damaged and you're renewing it by mail, you may only pay the $130 book fee without the execution fee in some cases.

For children under age 16, the passport book fee is $100. Children also pay the $35 execution fee, bringing the total to $135 for first-time applications. Passport fees can be paid by check, money order, or credit/debit card, depending on where you apply.

It's worth noting that passport fees have increased over the years. In 2021, fees went up by $35 for adults and $20 for children. The State Department uses these fees to cover the costs of producing passports, maintaining passport facilities, and processing applications.

Practical Takeaway: Budget $165 for an adult's first passport and $135 for a child's first passport. If you're renewing an expired passport by mail, your costs may be lower. Check the State Department website for current fees before you submit anything, as prices can change.

Passport Card and Passport Book Costs

When you request a passport, you have the option of getting either a passport book or a passport card—or both. It's important to understand the differences and how they affect your costs.

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A passport book is the standard booklet-style passport with pages. It's accepted for all forms of travel: by air, sea, and land. You can use it to travel anywhere in the world. A passport card is a wallet-sized card that looks similar to a driver's license. It's smaller and easier to carry, but it has limitations. You can only use a passport card for travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean by land or sea. You cannot use a passport card for international air travel.

The fees for each are different. A passport card costs $65 for adults and $50 for children under 16. These prices don't include the $35 execution fee, which applies to first-time applications. So if you're getting only a passport card for the first time, you'd pay $100 for an adult and $85 for a child.

Many people choose to get both a passport book and a passport card at the same time. This is called a "combined" application. When you get both together, you pay the passport book fee ($130 for adults, $100 for children) plus an additional $35 for the card. With the execution fee included, a combined application costs $200 for an adult and $170 for a child under 16.

Getting both documents at once can save you money compared to getting them separately. If you applied for a book and card separately at different times, you'd pay the execution fee twice. By combining your application, you only pay the execution fee once.

Practical Takeaway: If you think you might need both a book and card, apply for both at the same time. It costs $35 more than a book alone but saves you money compared to applying twice. If you only travel by land to neighboring countries, a passport card alone may be enough.

How Passport Renewal Costs Differ

If you already have a valid passport, the cost to renew it is usually lower than getting a first-time passport. The State Department offers renewal options that can reduce what you pay and how long the process takes.

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If you have a passport that's still valid or expired less than five years ago, and it's in good condition, you may be able to renew it by mail. Mail renewal is significantly cheaper than applying in person. For an adult renewing by mail, the cost is just $130—no execution fee required. For children under 16, the cost is $100. This saves you $35 compared to a first-time application.

There are specific requirements for mail renewal. Your passport must have been issued when you were at least 16 years old, and it cannot have been lost, stolen, or significantly damaged. You also cannot have changed your legal name without getting a new passport first. If you meet these requirements, you can renew by mail without visiting an acceptance facility.

If your passport doesn't meet the requirements for mail renewal, you'll need to apply in person at an acceptance facility or passport agency. In this case, you'll pay the full fee: $130 plus $35 for adults, or $100 plus $35 for children. This applies if your passport was lost or stolen, if your name has changed, if you're significantly older or your appearance has changed, or if your passport book is damaged.

Passport renewals also take different amounts of time depending on how you apply. Regular mail processing typically takes 4 to 6 weeks. Expedited processing, available only for in-person renewals, takes 2 to 3 weeks but costs an additional $60. Expedited processing is not available for mail renewals.

Practical Takeaway: Check if you can renew by mail. If you can, you'll save $35 and can apply from home. If you need your passport quickly and must apply in person, budget an extra $60 for expedited processing if you can't wait 4 to 6 weeks.

Additional Fees and Replacement Costs

Beyond the basic passport fees, there are several additional costs you may encounter depending on your situation. Understanding these potential extra charges helps you budget properly.

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If you need expedited processing, you'll pay an additional $60 on top of the standard fees. Expedited processing is available when you apply in person and reduces the processing time from 4 to 6 weeks to 2 to 3 weeks. This is helpful if you have upcoming travel plans and don't have time to wait for regular processing. This fee doesn't apply to mail renewals—only in-person applications can be expedited.

If you need your passport even faster, the State Department offers rush service at passport acceptance agencies and passport agencies. You can get your passport on the same day or within 24 hours by going to an agency in person and paying for expedited service. However, this option is only available if you have your passport agency appointment scheduled and meet specific time-sensitive travel requirements. The expedited fee of $60 still applies.

If your passport has been lost or stolen, you'll need to apply for a replacement. This counts as a first-time application in terms of fees—you'll pay the full $130 book fee plus the $35 execution fee for an adult, even if you had a passport before. You must apply in person at an acceptance facility or passport agency to report the loss or theft.

Name changes also affect passport costs. If you've legally changed your name due to marriage, divorce, or court order, you cannot renew by mail. You must apply for a new passport in person and pay the full first-time fees ($165 for adults, $135 for children). You'll need to bring documents proving your legal name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

Some people choose to get a passport book and card together at a later time if they didn't initially. If you already have a book and want to add a card, you'll pay $65 plus $35 execution fee for an adult, or $50 plus $35 for a child. This is an additional application.

Practical Takeaway: Plan ahead to avoid expedited fees. If you lose your passport or change your name, expect to pay full first-time fees. Keep your passport in a safe place to avoid the cost and inconvenience of replacing it