Learn About Passport Costs and Fees

Understanding U.S. Passport Costs and Fee Structure

A passport is an official travel document issued by the U.S. Department of State that allows American citizens to travel internationally. When you decide to obtain a passport, understanding the costs involved is an important part of the planning process. The fees charged by the U.S. government cover the administrative work, materials, security features, and processing time required to produce these documents.

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As of 2024, the federal government charges specific fees for different passport services. For a passport book (the traditional booklet format), the execution fee is $130 for adults and $100 for minors under 16 years old. The application processing fee adds $35 for adults and $35 for minors. This means the total cost for a new adult passport book is $165, and for a minor it is $135. These fees apply whether you obtain your passport in person or by mail through a passport acceptance facility.

The passport card is a smaller, wallet-sized alternative to the traditional passport book. It costs less than the book: $30 for the execution fee and $35 for the application processing fee, totaling $65 for adults. For minors, the execution fee is $15, bringing the total to $50. The passport card works for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean, but not for air travel. Some people obtain both documents at the same time for flexibility.

Additional costs may apply depending on your situation. If you need your passport rushed, expedited processing costs an extra $60 on top of the regular fees. For the fastest service, you can request expedited execution, which adds another $60. If you need your passport even faster, you may pay for an appointment at a regional passport agency, though these are typically reserved for urgent travel needs.

Practical takeaway: Write down the exact total cost you expect to pay based on whether you want a book, card, or both, and whether you need standard or expedited processing. Keep this information with your other travel planning documents.

Fees for Renewing and Replacing Passports

If your passport is still valid, has not been significantly damaged, and was issued when you were at least 16 years old, you may be able to renew it by mail. Renewal fees differ from initial application fees. For a standard passport book renewal by mail, the cost is $130, which covers only the execution fee since you are not filing a new application. There is no separate $35 application processing fee for renewals by mail.

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However, if your passport was damaged, lost, or stolen, you must apply for a replacement as if it were a new passport. This means you pay the full initial application fee plus the execution fee: $35 plus $130 for a book, totaling $165 for adults. If your passport was issued when you were under 16, you also must apply for a new passport as an adult, paying full new application fees.

Sometimes circumstances require you to replace your passport before it expires. Common reasons include: the passport is damaged or worn beyond acceptable condition, your name has changed, or you received the passport as a minor and now need one as an adult. Each situation has different fee structures. A name change requires a new passport application with full fees. A passport damaged by water, mold, or torn pages also requires full replacement fees.

If you lost your passport or it was stolen, you must report this to the State Department and apply for a replacement. The replacement application is treated as a new passport application, so you pay full fees. You will also need to complete Form DS-64 to report the loss or theft. This form has no fee but is a required part of the process.

Practical takeaway: Check your passport expiration date and condition now. If it will expire within the next few years and is still in good condition, you may want to plan for a mail renewal, which costs less than an in-person application. If it is damaged or lost, budget for the full replacement fee.

Processing Times and Their Cost Implications

The time it takes to receive your passport affects how much you will pay overall. Standard processing typically takes 6 to 8 weeks from the time the State Department receives your application. During busy travel seasons, standard processing may take longer. If standard processing meets your timeline, you pay only the base fees with no expediting charges.

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Expedited processing takes 2 to 3 weeks and costs an additional $60 beyond the regular fees. This option works well for people who need a passport in the next month or two but do not have an immediate travel date. Many people choose expedited processing when planning summer vacations or family trips scheduled several weeks away.

For truly urgent situations, the State Department offers emergency passport services. You can make an appointment at a regional passport agency and receive your passport on the same day or within 24 hours. However, these appointments are reserved for specific circumstances: travel within 72 hours, a family emergency requiring immediate travel, or a special government request. The cost includes the regular execution and application fees plus $60 for expedited service and potentially additional fees for the agency appointment itself, which varies by location.

The cost of paying for faster processing should be weighed against your actual travel needs. If your trip is 10 weeks away and standard processing takes 8 weeks, there is no need to pay the extra $60 for expedited service. However, if you just learned about an important trip happening in 6 weeks, expedited processing ensures you receive your passport in time without the premium cost of emergency services.

Practical takeaway: Calculate backwards from your travel date. Count how many weeks until you travel, then compare this to the standard processing time. If standard processing timing works, skip the extra fees. If you have less time than standard processing offers, compare the $60 expedited fee against the cost of regional agency services or potentially rescheduling your trip.

Photo and Document-Related Costs

When you apply for a passport, you must submit a new photograph meeting specific requirements. The State Department does not provide this photo; you must obtain it yourself. While the photo itself is not a government fee, it represents a cost you should include in your passport budget.

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Professional passport photos typically cost between $10 and $25 depending on your location and where you have them taken. Retail pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens offer passport photo services, as do professional photography studios and some local print shops. When selecting where to have your photo taken, confirm that the photographer understands U.S. passport photo requirements: a white or off-white background, a neutral facial expression, and specific head positioning rules. A photo that does not meet these requirements will be rejected, and you will need to pay for another photo and resubmit your application.

Some people use digital photo services or apps that promise to create passport-compliant photos for $5 or less, but these carry higher rejection risk if the specifications are not perfectly met. It is often worth paying a few extra dollars to a professional to avoid having your application returned and needing to pay for another photo.

If you need certified copies of supporting documents for your passport application, such as a birth certificate or marriage certificate, these documents may have fees. Birth certificate copies typically cost $15 to $30 from your state's vital records office. Marriage or divorce certificates have similar costs. If you already have these documents, you do not need new copies. If you need certified copies, factor these costs into your total passport budget.

Practical takeaway: Gather all required documents before applying so you know what additional costs you may face. Have your passport photo taken by a professional at a recognized location to reduce the chance of rejection and the need to pay for another photo and resubmit your application.

Payment Methods and Where Costs Occur

The U.S. State Department accepts passport fees through specific payment methods. When you apply in person at a passport acceptance facility or passport agency, you can typically pay by check, money order, or credit card. Some locations accept cash as well, but policies vary. It is wise to call ahead and ask what payment methods your specific location accepts.

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When you apply by mail, you cannot pay by credit card online. Instead, you must include a check or money order with your application. Make the check or money order payable to "U.S. Department of State." Never send cash by mail. If you are applying by mail and do not have a check or money order available, you may need to go in person to a passport facility instead.

Passport acceptance facilities are located in many public buildings including post offices, libraries