Learn About Passport Costs and Renewal Options

Understanding U.S. Passport Costs and Types

A U.S. passport is an official travel document issued by the State Department that allows American citizens to travel internationally. Before understanding renewal costs, it helps to know what type of passport you might need and what the initial costs look like. The United States offers several passport options, and each comes with different pricing.

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The standard passport book costs $130 for adults (age 16 and older) when applying in person for the first time. This is called the passport acceptance fee plus the execution fee combined. If you are a minor under 16, the cost is $100 for a passport book. A passport card, which is a wallet-sized alternative to the book, costs $35 for adults and $20 for minors. The passport card can be used for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean, but not for air travel internationally.

Many people choose to get both a passport book and card at the same time. The combined cost for adults is $165 ($130 for the book plus an additional $35 for the card). For minors, this combination costs $120.

Important to note: these prices are current as of 2024, but fees can change. The State Department may adjust fees based on inflation and operational costs. In 2021, passport fees increased for the first time in 21 years, so it is worth checking the official State Department website (state.gov) before you plan to renew or obtain a passport.

Practical Takeaway: Decide whether you need just a passport book, a passport card, or both before budgeting for your document. The passport book costs more but works for all international travel by any means of transportation.

How Passport Renewal Works and Associated Costs

Passport renewal is the process of obtaining a new passport when your current one has expired or will expire soon. The renewal process has different costs depending on whether you can renew by mail or must renew in person. Understanding these options can help you plan your expenses.

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If your passport was issued when you were 16 or older and is undamaged, you may be able to renew by mail. A passport book renewal by mail costs $130 for an adult. This is the same price as a new passport, but you avoid the execution fee that in-person applicants pay. The execution fee at an acceptance facility is $35, which is why new passports in person cost $165 total for a book ($130 plus $35).

If you need to renew in person instead of by mail, the cost is $165 for a passport book ($130 plus the $35 execution fee). You must renew in person if your passport was lost or stolen, if it was damaged, if you want to change your name, or if you were under 16 when your passport was issued.

Expedited processing is available for an additional fee. Standard processing takes 6 to 8 weeks, but expedited processing takes 2 to 3 weeks. Expedited processing costs an extra $60 on top of the regular renewal fee. If you need your passport even faster, you can pay for Rush processing, which takes 24 to 72 hours but costs an additional $70 to $90 depending on the method.

Many people also choose to pay for execution at a passport acceptance facility near their home, which adds $35 to the cost if renewing by mail in person. A passport card renewal by mail costs $35, and by mail through a passport acceptance facility costs $70 ($35 plus execution fee).

Practical Takeaway: Check if you can renew by mail to save the $35 execution fee. If you need your passport quickly, budget for expedited or rush processing, which adds $60 to $90 to your total cost.

Passport Acceptance Facilities and Where to Renew

When you need to renew your passport in person or obtain a new one, you will go to a passport acceptance facility. These facilities are located throughout the United States, and knowing where to find one and what to expect can help you prepare for renewal costs and timing.

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Passport acceptance facilities include post offices, public libraries, and county courthouses. Over 9,000 passport acceptance facilities operate across the country. Most post offices accept passport applications, and many libraries do as well. Some state and county government offices also serve as acceptance facilities. The State Department website has a tool that lets you search for facilities near your address by zip code.

When you visit an acceptance facility for a new passport or in-person renewal, you will need to bring required documents such as proof of citizenship (a birth certificate or previous passport), proof of identity (a driver's license or state ID), and proof of your Social Security number. You will also need a recent passport photo, which you typically must purchase separately. A passport photo costs between $10 and $25 at most places, including pharmacies, photo studios, and some retail stores.

The execution fee of $35 is collected at the acceptance facility when you submit your application. This fee is required in addition to the passport fee itself. Processing times vary depending on whether you choose standard, expedited, or rush processing. Standard processing takes 6 to 8 weeks from the time you submit your application at the facility. This means the actual delivery could take 7 to 9 weeks depending on mail delivery time.

Some passport acceptance facilities offer additional services. For example, some locations may offer passport photos on-site, which can be convenient. However, many facilities do not have this service, so you may need to visit a separate location for your photo before coming to apply. Planning ahead by confirming what your local facility offers can save you time and potential extra trips.

Practical Takeaway: Locate your nearest passport acceptance facility before planning your renewal, confirm what documents you need to bring, and budget for a passport photo ($10 to $25) in addition to passport fees. Allow at least 7 to 9 weeks for standard processing.

Passport Fees for Special Circumstances and Situations

Some people face additional costs or different fees based on their specific situation. Understanding these special circumstances helps you budget accurately for passport renewal or replacement.

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If your passport was lost or stolen, you cannot renew it by mail. Instead, you must apply for a replacement in person at a passport acceptance facility, which costs $165 ($130 for the passport book plus $35 execution fee). You will also need to report the loss or theft to law enforcement or file a report, though this report itself typically does not have a cost. Some people pay a small fee to file a police report, but this varies by location and is separate from passport costs.

If your passport was damaged, such as torn pages or water damage, you also must replace it in person rather than renewing by mail. The cost is the same as a lost passport replacement: $165 for a book. Damage can include anything that affects the document's integrity or ability to function as a travel document.

If you want to change your name on your passport due to marriage, divorce, or other legal reasons, you must apply in person. The cost depends on whether your previous passport is still valid. If it is still valid, the cost is $130. If it has expired, the cost is $165 ($130 plus execution fee). You will need to provide legal documentation of the name change, such as a marriage certificate or court order, which you may need to pay to obtain certified copies of.

Passport cards have a lower fee structure. A new passport card costs $35 for adults and $20 for minors. A passport card renewal by mail costs $35. If you need a passport card in addition to renewing your passport book, the add-on cost is just $35, making it affordable to have both documents.

Parents renewing passports for minors under 16 should note that minors' passports are valid for only 5 years instead of 10 years like adult passports. This means minors will need to renew more frequently. The cost for a new minor passport is $100 for a book or $20 for a card.

Practical Takeaway: If your passport was lost, stolen, or damaged, expect to pay the full in-person renewal fee of $165. If you are changing your name, bring certified legal documents proving the change. Keep in mind that minors' passports expire every 5 years, not 10.