Learn About Passport Service Costs and Options

Understanding U.S. Passport Types and Their Costs

The United States offers several passport options, and each one has a different cost. The main types are the passport book, the passport card, and the combined passport book and card. Understanding these options helps you know what to expect when paying for a passport.

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A standard passport book is the traditional option used for international travel by air, sea, or land. For adults aged 16 and older, a new passport book costs $130 in execution fees plus a $35 application fee, totaling $165. This is the most common choice for people traveling internationally. The passport book is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for children under 16.

A passport card is a smaller, wallet-sized document that works for travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean by land or sea. It cannot be used for air travel. A new passport card for adults costs $55 in execution fees plus a $35 application fee, for a total of $90. The passport card is also valid for 10 years for adults.

You can also get both the passport book and card together. When ordering both at the same time, the combined cost is $165 in execution fees plus a $35 application fee, totaling $200. This option gives you flexibility—you can use the book for flights and the card for driving trips across land borders.

Renewal costs are lower than new passport costs. Renewing a passport book by mail costs $110 in execution fees plus a $35 application fee, totaling $145, if you meet certain conditions. Renewing a passport card by mail costs $55 in execution fees plus a $35 application fee, totaling $90.

Practical Takeaway: Before requesting a passport, decide which type fits your travel plans. If you fly internationally, you need the passport book. If you only travel by car or ship to nearby countries, the card may be enough. Getting both at once costs only $35 more than the book alone.

Replacement and Expedited Service Fees

Beyond the basic passport costs, the State Department offers additional services for extra fees. These options exist for people who have lost or damaged their passport, or who need their passport faster than standard processing.

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If your passport was lost, stolen, or damaged, you cannot renew it by mail—you must apply in person. The cost is the same as a new passport. However, you may also need to pay an execution fee for a replacement passport if your old one was damaged. A replacement passport book costs $130 in execution fees plus $35 application fee, totaling $165 for adults.

Standard passport processing takes 6 to 8 weeks for a passport book. If you need your passport sooner, the State Department offers expedited processing for an additional $60 fee. With expedited service, processing takes 2 to 3 weeks. This means a standard new passport book becomes $225 ($165 plus $60 expedite fee), and an expedited renewal becomes $205 ($145 plus $60 expedite fee).

For people who need a passport even faster, rush service is available at passport acceptance facilities and agencies. Rush processing takes 1 to 2 weeks and costs an additional $70 on top of the execution and application fees. A new passport book with rush service costs $235 ($165 plus $70 rush fee). You cannot use rush service by mail—you must visit a location in person.

Some passport agencies offer same-day or next-day service in emergency situations. This service is only available at selected passport agencies in major cities and costs $70 additional. You must show proof of travel within 72 hours or a death in the family.

The State Department also charges a $110 execution fee for correcting or amending passport information after it has been issued, such as fixing a name or birth date error.

Practical Takeaway: Plan ahead for passport processing time. Standard service takes 6 to 8 weeks and costs less. If you need your passport in 2 to 3 weeks, add $60 for expedited service. Rush service costs $70 more but takes 1 to 2 weeks. Emergency same-day or next-day service is only available at certain agencies.

Payment Methods and Where to Pay

Understanding how and where to pay for a passport helps you complete the process smoothly. The payment rules depend on where you apply and which type of service you use.

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When applying for a passport in person at a passport acceptance facility or agency, you can pay with cash, check, or money order. Some locations also accept credit or debit cards, but this varies by facility. Call ahead or check the State Department website to learn which payment methods your local facility accepts. Checks and money orders should be made payable to the U.S. Department of State.

When applying by mail for a passport renewal, you must send a check or money order with your application. Do not send cash through the mail. Write your Social Security number on the check or money order. Mail your payment along with your completed application form and other required documents to the address listed on the form.

If you are paying for expedited or rush service at an agency office, you can pay the expedited or rush fees separately from the execution and application fees. Ask the staff at the facility which payment method they accept for additional services.

The State Department posts no passport service fees online at travel.state.gov, where you can find the most current fee information. Fees are set by law and are the same at all passport agencies and acceptance facilities across the country. Some passport acceptance locations may charge an additional acceptance fee of $35 to $140, which is separate from the State Department fees. This acceptance fee is the facility's own charge for handling your application.

Be aware that third-party passport services and websites sometimes charge extra fees to help you apply. These services charge their own fees on top of the State Department fees. While some people use these services for convenience, they are not required—you can apply directly at any passport acceptance facility for free help from staff.

Practical Takeaway: If applying in person, ask your local facility which payment methods it accepts. If applying by mail, send a check or money order payable to the U.S. Department of State. Know that some facilities charge their own acceptance fees on top of State Department fees. You do not need to use a third-party service to obtain a passport.

Age-Based Costs and Special Circumstances

Passport costs vary based on the age of the person getting the passport. Children's passports cost less than adult passports, and the cost depends on the child's age and whether a parent is renewing or applying new.

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Children aged 0 to 15 years old need a new passport book or card before they can travel internationally. A new passport book for a child costs $115 in execution fees plus $35 application fee, totaling $150. The execution fee is $15 less than an adult passport. A new passport card for a child costs $40 in execution fees plus $35 application fee, totaling $75. Children's passports are valid for 5 years, not 10 years.

A child's parent or legal guardian must apply in person for a child's passport. Both parents or guardians must be present, or one parent must have written permission from the other parent. This is a legal requirement to prove that the child is not being taken out of the country without both parents' consent. There are no extra fees for this requirement—it is just part of the process.

When a child turns 16, they can renew their own passport if it has not been lost or damaged. However, a parent or guardian must still be present for a child under 16 to renew in person. If the child's passport was lost or damaged, you must apply in person at a passport agency, not by mail.

For adults renewing by mail, there are some limitations. You can only renew by mail if your passport is not lost or damaged, it is not significantly faded, you were at least 16 years old when issued, and it was issued when you were at least 16 years old. If any of these conditions are not met, you must apply in person. Applying in person costs more because the execution fee is higher.

Some people need a passport quickly due to family emergencies, medical situations, or other urgent circumstances. The State