Learn About Passport Costs and Process

Understanding U.S. Passport Types and Their Costs

The United States offers different passport types, and each has its own cost structure. The most common type is the passport book, which is the traditional bound booklet used for international travel. As of 2024, a new passport book costs $130 for adults (ages 16 and older) and $100 for minors (under 16). If you already have a passport and need to renew it, the cost is $110 for adults and $80 for minors, provided your passport was not lost or stolen and you still have it in your possession.

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Beyond the standard passport book, the State Department also issues passport cards. These are credit-card-sized documents that work for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean, but they cannot be used for international air travel. A new passport card costs $65 for adults and $50 for minors. Renewal of a passport card is $55 for adults and $40 for minors.

Some people choose to get both a passport book and a passport card at the same time. When you apply for both together, you pay a combined fee: $195 for adults and $155 for minors. This combination can be useful if you travel frequently or use different methods of transportation to different destinations.

There are also expedited processing fees if you need your passport faster than the standard timeline. Adding expedited service costs an additional $60 on top of the standard fees. This is separate from the passport itself and is charged only if you request faster processing.

Practical Takeaway: Before gathering documents and fees, determine which passport type you need based on your travel plans. If you only drive to Mexico or Canada, a passport card might be sufficient and cost less. If you plan to fly internationally, you need a passport book. Knowing this in advance helps you budget correctly.

Current Processing Times and What to Expect

Processing times for passports vary significantly depending on demand and the time of year. As of 2024, the State Department reports that routine passport processing typically takes 6 to 8 weeks from the time your materials are received at a passport agency or acceptance facility. During peak travel seasons, especially spring and summer, wait times can stretch to 8 to 12 weeks or longer.

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If you choose expedited service (paying the additional $60 fee), the State Department aims to process your passport within 2 to 3 weeks, though this is not a guarantee and times can vary. The expedited option does not move you to the front of the line; it simply prioritizes your application within the standard workflow.

Rush service is another option available at some passport agencies in major cities. With rush service, you can sometimes get a passport in as little as 1 to 2 days, but this requires an in-person visit to a passport agency (not a post office or library acceptance facility), and the fees are higher. Rush service costs $60 on top of the expedited fee, making the total additional cost $120 beyond the passport fee itself.

Processing times do not include mail delivery time in either direction. You need to mail in your materials, and the State Department needs to mail back your completed passport. This can add 1 to 2 weeks to the total timeline in each direction. If you use a courier service to send your materials, that adds to your overall cost but can reduce delivery time.

Peak seasons for passport processing are typically March through August, with April and May being the busiest months. If you travel during these times and need a passport, planning ahead becomes even more critical. Winter months tend to have shorter wait times.

Practical Takeaway: Calculate your timeline backwards from your travel date. If you need a passport in 3 months or more, routine processing might work. If you need it within 6 to 8 weeks, consider expedited service. If you need it faster, research rush services or book an appointment at a passport agency in your state.

Required Documents and How to Prepare Them

Gathering the correct documents is essential for your passport to be processed without delays. For a first-time passport or if your passport was lost or stolen, you need several items. First, you need proof of citizenship, which can be a birth certificate, consular report of birth, or naturalization certificate. The birth certificate must be an official certified copy with the raised seal or embossed seal, not a photocopy from vital records or a hospital birth certificate.

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You also need a valid government-issued photo ID. If you are an adult, acceptable IDs include a state driver's license, military ID, or state ID card. If you are under 16, a school ID or state ID card works, or a school report card issued by the school's principal or designee. The photo ID must not be expired.

A completed passport form is required. For first-time passports and replacement passports (if yours was lost or stolen), you need Form DS-11. For renewals where you still have your passport, you can use the simpler Form DS-82 if you are renewing by mail, or Form DS-11 if you are renewing in person. These forms are free and available on the State Department website.

You must provide a new passport photo. The photo must be 2x2 inches, in color, taken within the last 6 months, showing your full face looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression. The background must be plain white or off-white. You can get passport photos taken at most pharmacies (such as CVS or Walgreens), UPS stores, and professional photographers, usually for $10 to $20.

For minors (under 16), both parents or guardians must consent and be present during the application process at an acceptance facility. For minors aged 16 and 17, one parent or guardian must consent, and they may or may not need to be present depending on state laws and the acceptance facility's requirements.

If your passport was lost or stolen, you must report it to the State Department and provide an official police report or a written statement under oath describing the loss or theft.

Practical Takeaway: Gather documents at least 2 to 3 weeks before you plan to submit your application. Order a certified birth certificate now if you do not have one—vital records offices can take 1 to 2 weeks to mail it to you. Get your passport photo taken at the same time. Having everything ready prevents delays once you schedule your appointment.

Where to Submit Your Application and Processing Locations

You have several options for where to submit your passport application. The most accessible option for many people is a passport acceptance facility. These are located at post offices, libraries, and some local government offices across the country. There are more than 9,000 passport acceptance facilities nationwide. At an acceptance facility, staff review your documents to ensure they are complete, take your photos if needed, and submit your application to a passport processing agency. Acceptance facilities do not issue passports themselves; they only accept applications.

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Passport acceptance facilities handle routine and expedited applications, but they cannot process rush service. For rush service, you must visit a passport agency in person. There are 23 passport agencies located in major cities across the United States, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Miami, San Francisco, Denver, and Washington, D.C. Passport agencies can process applications in person and offer faster service options for those who need it.

The State Department website has a passport acceptance facility locator tool where you can enter your ZIP code and find the nearest location to you. Many post offices and libraries require appointments, so you should schedule in advance rather than dropping in unannounced. Some locations accept walk-ins on a first-come, first-served basis, but wait times can be long.

If you are outside the United States, you can apply for a passport at a U.S. embassy or consulate. The process and fees are similar to those within the country, though processing times and available services may differ depending on the location.

For renewals by mail, you do not need to visit any location in person if you are renewing a passport that you still have and that is not damaged. You can mail your Form DS-82, your passport, a new photo, the fee, and proof of citizenship to the address listed on the State Department website. This option is available only for renewals and saves you a trip.

Some people use mail-in passport services or expediting companies, which charge fees