Learn About New Passport Costs and Fees

Understanding U.S. Passport Costs in 2024

A U.S. passport comes with several distinct fees that vary depending on the type of passport you need and your age. As of 2024, the State Department charges specific amounts for different passport services. For an adult (age 16 and older) applying for a passport book for the first time or renewing an expired passport that was issued when you were under 16, the execution fee is $130. If you're renewing a passport book that was issued when you were 16 or older, the renewal fee is $130. These fees cover the actual passport document and the processing of your application.

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For children under 16, passport costs are lower because the documents have shorter validity periods. A passport book for a child costs $100 in execution fees for first-time applications. Passport cards, which are wallet-sized documents that can be used for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean, cost $35 for adults and $20 for children.

Beyond the base passport fee, you'll encounter additional costs. The State Department charges a separate execution fee of $35 for adults applying for their first passport or for anyone under 16 applying for any passport type. Expedited processing costs an extra $60 and reduces processing time from the standard 6-8 weeks to 2-3 weeks. Rush processing, which takes 1-2 weeks, costs $70 extra. These are in addition to the base passport fees.

Shipping costs also factor into your total expense. Standard mail delivery of your completed passport is included in the base fees if you're renewing by mail. However, if you use a service like FedEx or UPS for expedited delivery to the passport agency, you'll pay separately for that shipping. Overnight delivery can cost $15 to $50 depending on the carrier.

Practical takeaway: Before you calculate your total passport cost, determine which type of passport you need (book or card), your age group, and how quickly you need it. Write down the base fee plus any expedited processing charges, then add any shipping fees you plan to use. For example, a standard adult passport book costs $130 plus $35 execution fee ($165 total) with regular processing and mailing included.

How Passport Renewal Fees Differ From First-Time Applications

The fees for renewing an existing passport differ significantly from obtaining your first passport, and understanding these differences can help you budget accurately. If you're renewing a passport that was issued to you when you were 16 or older, and it's still in acceptable condition (not damaged, lost, or stolen), you may be able to renew by mail. This renewal-by-mail process costs $130 for the passport book, with no additional execution fee required. This represents a $35 savings compared to a first-time passport application.

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The catch is that renewal by mail is only available in specific circumstances. Your previous passport must have been issued when you were 16 or older, it must not be significantly damaged, and your name must not have changed (or if it has changed, you must have legal documentation of the change). If any of these conditions don't apply, you'll need to apply in person at a passport acceptance facility or agency, which costs the same as a first-time application: $165 for the book ($130 passport fee plus $35 execution fee).

Adults renewing passports with expedited processing pay $130 for the renewal plus an additional $60 expedited fee, totaling $190 for standard delivery. If you add overnight shipping, you'll pay extra depending on your chosen carrier. Children under 16 cannot renew by mail under any circumstances and must apply in person, paying the full first-time application fees of $100 plus $35 execution fee, totaling $135 for a passport book.

Some people choose to replace a perfectly valid passport with a new one, even though it's not yet expired. This might be done to update a photo or information. This counts as a new application rather than a renewal and costs the full first-time application fee of $165 for adults. Similarly, if your passport was lost or stolen, replacing it costs $165 plus requires filing a report with the State Department about the lost or stolen document.

Practical takeaway: Check your current passport's issue date and your age at that time. If you were 16 or older when it was issued, and the passport is in good condition with an unchanged name, you may save $35 by renewing by mail. If you must apply in person, budget for the full $165 base fee plus any expedited processing charges if needed.

State Department Execution Fees and Processing Options

The execution fee is a separate charge from the passport book or card fee, and understanding this distinction is important for budgeting. The $35 execution fee applies to all first-time passport applications and to any application processed in person at a passport acceptance facility. This fee covers the authentication and processing work performed by passport officials when you appear in person. If you're renewing by mail, this $35 execution fee is waived because no in-person authentication is needed.

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Processing time directly affects your costs because it determines whether expedited service is necessary. Standard processing typically takes 6 to 8 weeks from the time your application is received by the State Department. This timeframe is free—no additional charges apply. However, if you need your passport sooner, the State Department offers expedited processing for an extra $60, which reduces the timeline to 2 to 3 weeks. Routine processing with additional rush delivery service costs $70 extra and typically provides results within 1 to 2 weeks.

It's important to note that these processing times do not include delivery time back to you. When you submit your application in person, you don't receive your passport immediately. Instead, it's processed at a State Department facility and then mailed to your address. Even with expedited processing, you should allow 2 to 3 weeks for processing plus several business days for mail delivery. Some people pay additional fees to have their passport shipped overnight once it's completed, which can cost $15 to $50.

Passport agencies in major cities sometimes offer walk-in services with same-day or next-day turnaround, but these services typically require an appointment obtained in advance, and they cost the standard expedited or rush fees. Agencies use a system where you book an appointment online if you need your passport urgently. Even same-day services at passport agencies don't eliminate processing fees; they only reduce the total time by consolidating the process into a single location.

Practical takeaway: Determine your actual deadline by checking when you need to travel. If you have 8 weeks or more before your trip, standard processing saves you $60 to $70. If you need it within 3 weeks, pay the $60 expedited fee. For emergencies requiring travel within days, contact a passport agency directly about appointment availability and same-day services.

Fees for Different Passport Types and Travel Purposes

The United States offers multiple passport document types, and each has different costs based on its intended use and travel scope. The passport book is the most common type and costs $130 for adults (for first-time or renewal when issued at 16+) and $100 for children under 16. The passport book is valid for international air travel to any country worldwide and is the only document accepted for air travel to most destinations. It contains 28 pages initially, though some people request additional pages for a $15 fee if they travel frequently and their passport fills with stamps and visas.

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The passport card is a newer, smaller option that costs $35 for adults and $20 for children. The card is valid for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and some Caribbean islands, but it cannot be used for air travel to these or any other destinations. The card doesn't expire or get used up by stamps since it uses digital technology, making it appealing for frequent land travelers. However, because its use is limited compared to the passport book, many people choose to obtain both—a book for international air travel and a card for border crossings by car or boat. If you want both documents, you'll pay both sets of fees.

An expedited passport card costs an additional $60, just like an expedited book. Some travelers obtain passport cards specifically because they can apply for them more quickly in certain situations. Since the card costs less and is processed similarly to the book, it may be a more affordable option if your travel is limited to the countries and borders where the card is accepted.

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