Learn About Passport Costs and Processing Options

Understanding U.S. Passport Types and Their Costs

The United States offers different passport types, and each one has different costs depending on your age and citizenship status. The most common type is the passport book, which is a traditional bound document that allows you to travel internationally by air, sea, and land. As of 2024, a passport book for an adult (16 years and older) costs $130 for a new one or $110 for a renewal. For children under 16, the cost is $100 for a new passport or $80 for a renewal.

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A passport card is a smaller, wallet-sized version of a passport book. It is less expensive than a book—costing $35 for adults and $30 for children—but it has limitations. You can use a passport card for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean, but not for air travel outside the United States. Many people get both a book and a card together, which costs $165 for adults and $120 for children.

If you need to replace a lost or stolen passport, the cost is the same as getting a new one. However, if your passport was damaged, you may be able to renew it at the regular renewal price rather than paying for a replacement. For passports that were issued when you were under 16, you cannot simply renew them as an adult—you must obtain a new adult passport at the full new passport price.

There are also execution fees charged by passport acceptance agents, which include post offices, libraries, and court houses. These fees typically range from $35 to $50 and are separate from the passport itself. For example, if you go to your local post office to get a new passport book, you would pay $130 for the passport plus approximately $35 for the execution fee, totaling around $165 before any expedited processing.

Practical Takeaway: Write down which passport type you need (book, card, or both) and your age to determine your base cost. Then add the execution fee charged by your local acceptance agent to get your total cost estimate.

Standard Processing vs. Expedited Processing Times

The State Department offers two main processing options for passports: routine processing and expedited processing. Routine processing currently takes 6 to 8 weeks from the time the State Department receives your application. This timeline means that if you submit your application in person at an acceptance agent and they send it to the processing center, you should expect to wait at least six weeks before your passport arrives in the mail.

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Expedited processing takes 2 to 3 weeks from the time the State Department receives your application. This option costs an additional $60 on top of your passport fees. Many people choose expedited processing if they have travel plans coming up within the next two months. For example, if you need your passport within four weeks and you submit through routine processing, there is a chance you may not receive it in time, making the extra $60 for expedited processing a reasonable investment.

It is important to understand that these timelines begin when the State Department receives your application, not when you submit it to your local acceptance agent. Depending on how busy your acceptance agent is and how quickly they mail applications, there may be a delay between submission and receipt at the State Department. During busy travel seasons (spring and summer), acceptance agents may have longer backlogs, potentially adding another week or two before your application reaches the State Department.

For people with urgent travel needs—such as a death in the family requiring international travel—the State Department offers emergency passport services at passport agencies in major cities. These emergency passports can be issued within hours or days, but they cost more and have specific requirements. You must demonstrate genuine urgent travel with documentation like a death certificate or airline ticket, and you must travel to a passport agency in person to obtain this service.

Practical Takeaway: Count the weeks until your travel date. If it is 8 weeks or more away, choose routine processing to save $60. If your travel is within 8 weeks, budget for expedited processing unless you can wait longer.

Required Documents and Where to Submit Your Application

Before submitting a passport application, you need to gather specific documents. For a new U.S. passport, you must provide proof of U.S. citizenship, a valid form of government-issued photo ID, proof of residence, and a birth certificate (original or certified copy). A certified birth certificate is one obtained from your state or county vital records office with an official seal and signature. Regular copies printed at home or obtained from online genealogy sites are not accepted.

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You also need a passport photo, which must meet specific requirements: 2 by 2 inches in size, taken within the last six months, with a white or off-white background, and showing your full face straight-on. You cannot wear glasses, a hat, or religious headwear that covers your face. Many drugstores, including CVS and Walgreens, offer passport photo services for $10 to $20. Some post offices also take passport photos.

For passport renewals, the requirements are simpler if you still have your previous passport. If your previous passport is not damaged, lost, or significantly different from how you look now, you can renew by mail without appearing in person. You would mail your old passport, a completed application form, a new photo, and payment to the State Department. This mail-in renewal option is cheaper because it does not require the execution fee, saving you $35 to $50.

You can submit your application for a new passport at any passport acceptance agent, which includes over 7,000 locations in the United States. The most common places are post offices, public libraries, and county or state government offices. Some courthouses also accept passport applications. You do not have to go to a passport agency to submit your initial application—you only go to a passport agency if you need emergency services or need to renew a passport in person. Many people find their nearest acceptance agent by searching "passport acceptance agent near me" online or by visiting the State Department website.

Practical Takeaway: If renewing your passport by mail, order your documents now (birth certificate if needed, new photo) so they are ready. If applying in person, gather your documents, get a photo, find your nearest acceptance agent's hours, and visit when they are open.

How Passport Fees Are Broken Down and What They Cover

Understanding what each fee covers helps you see where your money goes when you pay for a passport. The passport fee itself—$130 for a new adult book, for example—goes to the U.S. Department of State to cover the cost of producing, printing, and issuing your passport. This includes the materials used to make the passport secure, such as the special paper, security features, and the binding. The State Department uses these fees to operate regional passport agencies and process millions of applications each year.

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The execution fee, charged by your local acceptance agent (usually $35 for in-person applications), covers the cost of that acceptance agent to verify your documents, take your photo if needed, certify your application, and mail it to the State Department. This fee goes to the acceptance agent's organization, such as the Post Office or your county government, not to the State Department. When you apply by mail for a renewal, you skip this fee because you are submitting directly to the State Department.

The expedited processing fee of $60 is specifically for speeding up your application. When you pay this fee, your application is prioritized in the processing queue, allowing it to be handled in 2 to 3 weeks instead of 6 to 8 weeks. Some people think paying for expedited processing guarantees they will receive their passport by a specific date, but the State Department uses the term "approximately" when giving timelines, meaning actual times may vary slightly depending on processing volume.

If you want your completed passport to be returned to you by overnight mail instead of regular mail, there is an additional fee for that service, usually around $18 to $20. This is optional, and most people choose standard return mail. The State Department also charges extra fees for certain services, such as replacing a lost or stolen passport while traveling internationally (a temporary passport), which may cost between $135 and $155.

Practical Takeaway: Create a cost breakdown: base passport fee + execution fee (if applying in person) + expedited fee (if chosen) + return mail upgrade (if chosen). This shows your complete out-of-pocket cost before you go to submit your application.

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