How Much Does a U.S. Passport Cost? Passport Fees Explained

U.S. passport costs range from $130 to $214.53, depending on your specific needs. This guide provides an in-depth look at the costs of U.S. passport applications and renewals.

Table of Contents

1. Current Passport Costs
2. What Are the Fees for Renewing a Passport?
3. Optional Passport Service Fees
4. How to Pay for Passport Fees
5. Are There Mailing Fees for Passport Delivery?
6. What is the Difference between a Passport Book and Passport Card

U.S. Passport Costs 2024

Current passport costs vary based on the applicant’s age, the type of passport requested (book or card), processing speed, and delivery methods. An adult passport book costs $130 + shipping when renewed by mail and $130 + $35 execution fee when applying for a first-time passport.

What Are the General Costs for Passport Applications?

Here’s an overview of the standard fees for passport applications:

What Are the Costs for Renewing a Passport?

Renewal fees are the same as first-time application fees but do not include an execution fee if submitted by mail:

• Passport Book: $130
• Passport Card: $30

If you are in a rush and need to get your passport ASAP, learn more in our guide How to Get Your Passport in Two Weeks or Less.

Are There Mailing Fees for Passport Delivery?

There are no fees for passport delivery when using the standard application service. After processing, your passport is delivered via USPS Priority Mail at no additional cost. An optional $19.53 fee is available for 1-2 day delivery of your passport book or card. If you are mailing your passport for renewal, you will need to cover the shipping costs to the acceptance facility.

Optional Passport Service Costs

Additional services, such as expedited processing and 1-2 day delivery of your passport book, incur extra fees. These should be paid alongside the application fee to the U.S. Department of State by check or money order.

Learn more Expedited Passport Services: Fast-Tracking Your Travel Documents

How to Pay for Passport Fees

To pay for your new passport there are two types of fees, application fees and execution fees. Application fees are paid to the US Department of State via a check or money order. The execution fee, or acceptance fee, is paid to the passport acceptance facility. Here are more details on the fees and payment methods:

What is the Difference Between an Application Fee and an Execution Fee?

• Application Fee: The application fee is paid to the U.S. Department of State. and is required for all passport applications. This application fee covers the cost of processing your passport application.
• Execution Fee: The execution fee is also known as the acceptance fee. This fee covers the costs of accepting your passport at one of the acceptance facilities.

When you apply for a passport for the first time or for a child, you must pay both an application and an execution fee. For adult passport renewals, only the application fee is required, as these can typically be submitted by mail, bypassing the need for an execution fee.

Payment Methods Based on Application Submission Location

• Applying at a Passport Acceptance Facility:
  • Application Fee: Must be paid via a check or money order made out to “U.S. Department of State.”
  • Execution Fee: Each facility has its own policies regarding acceptable payment methods. Commonly accepted payments include personal checks, money orders, and some locations accept credit cards and exact cash. It’s advisable to contact the acceptance facility ahead of time to confirm their accepted payment methods.
• Renewing by Mail:
  • Application Fee: Send a check or money order payable to “U.S. Department of State.” Ensure not to cancel your check or money order after submission to avoid additional fees. When renewing from Canada, payments must be in U.S. dollars through a U.S. bank.
• Applying or Renewing at a Passport Agency:
  • Application and execution fees can be paid together.
  • Accepted forms of payment include credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover), debit cards, digital wallet payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay), checks, and money orders. Cash payments must be exact as agencies do not provide change.

What is the Difference between a Passport Book and Passport Card?

The passport card is a wallet-sized document that cannot be used for international air travel but is valid for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. The passport card is cheaper than the passport book. If you already have a passport book, you can apply for a passport card by mail as a “renewal,” even if it’s your first card, and vice versa. The passport card cannot be used to fly internationally but is accepted as ID for domestic flights in the U.S.

Learn more Where Can I Travel If I Don’t Have A U.S. Passport?

» MORE:

Estimate Your Passport Arrival Date
Your First U.S. Passport: A Step-by-Step Guide
Steps to Renew Your U.S. Passport for Travel
Passport Application Locations
Restricted Countries for U.S. Travelers