Passport fees depend on your age, the type of document, and whether you need it fast
A passport book for an adult costs $130 if you apply in person at a passport acceptance facility, or $110 if you renew by mail. A passport card (the wallet-sized version, valid for land and sea travel only) costs $35 in person or $30 by mail. If you need your passport in a hurry, you can pay an additional $60 for expedited processing, which cuts the timeline from 6–8 weeks down to 2–3 weeks. If you need it within a week, expedited execution costs $35 on top of the expedited fee.
Children under 16 pay less: a passport book is $100 in person or $85 by mail. A passport card for a child is $20 in person or $15 by mail. Both children and adults also pay a $35 execution fee when applying in person for the first time—this is separate from the book or card fee and covers the processing of your application.
Passport renewal by mail is only available if your passport is undamaged, was issued when you were 16 or older, and expired no more than five years ago. If any of those conditions don't apply, you must apply in person and pay the full in-person fee plus the execution fee.
Key Takeaways
- An adult passport book costs $130 in person (including the $35 execution fee) or $110 by mail; a passport card costs $35 in person or $30 by mail.
- Children under 16 pay $100 for a book in person or $85 by mail; a card costs $20 in person or $15 by mail.
- Expedited processing adds $60 and cuts the wait from 6–8 weeks to 2–3 weeks; expedited execution adds $35 more for a one-week turnaround.
- You can only renew by mail if your passport is undamaged, was issued at age 16 or older, and expired within the last five years.
- Payment methods at passport acceptance facilities include cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card; by mail, send a check or money order only.
How to pay when you apply in person
When you apply at a passport acceptance facility—usually a post office, library, or courthouse—you pay the clerk directly. Bring the exact amount or be prepared to receive change. Most facilities take cash, personal checks, money orders, and credit or debit cards, though some smaller offices may not accept cards. Call ahead to confirm what your local facility accepts.
The clerk will collect payment for the passport book or card, plus the $35 execution fee if this is your first passport or you're replacing a lost or stolen one. If you want expedited processing, add $60 to your total. If you want expedited execution (one-week turnaround), add both $60 and $35.
How to pay when you renew by mail
If you're renewing by mail, you cannot pay with a card or cash. Send a check or money order payable to "U.S. Department of State" along with your application form (DS-11 or DS-82, depending on your situation), your old passport, a new photo, and proof of citizenship. Write your Social Security number on the back of the check or money order.
Mail everything to the address listed on the State Department's passport website for your region. Processing takes 6–8 weeks under normal circumstances. If you add $60 for expedited processing, it drops to 2–3 weeks. Do not send cash through the mail.
Expedited and expedited execution fees explained
Expedited processing ($60) speeds up the review and printing of your passport. It applies whether you apply in person or by mail. Standard processing takes 6–8 weeks; expedited takes 2–3 weeks. This fee does not may provide a specific date—it only moves your application ahead in the queue.
Expedited execution ($35) is only available when you apply in person and only if you need your passport within one week. The State Department will process your application the same day or the next business day. You must pay both the $60 expedited processing fee and the $35 expedited execution fee to use this option. Even with both fees, the State Department does not may provide a specific time on a specific day—only that it will be ready within one week.
If you are traveling internationally and your passport is lost, stolen, or damaged, you may be able to get an emergency passport at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. Fees and processing times vary by location.
What happens if you pay the wrong amount
If you pay less than the required fee when applying in person, the clerk will ask you to pay the difference before your application is processed. If you overpay, you will receive change.
If you mail in a check or money order for the wrong amount, the State Department will return your entire application without processing it. Include a letter with the correct payment and resubmit. This delay can add weeks to your timeline, so double-check the current fees on the State Department website before you mail your application.
Payment methods you cannot use
The State Department does not accept wire transfers, PayPal, Venmo, or any digital payment app. You cannot pay online through the State Department website—there is no online payment portal for passport applications. Some third-party passport expediting services offer online payment, but they charge additional fees on top of the government fees.
If you use a passport expediting service, you are paying that service's fee plus the State Department's fee. Read the fine print carefully: some services simply mail your application to the State Department on your behalf, which does not speed up processing. Others have contracts with the State Department to hand-deliver applications, which can cut processing time, but this costs significantly more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay for a passport photo?
The State Department does not charge for the photo itself, but you must provide one. Most passport acceptance facilities offer photo services on-site for $10–$15. You can also bring a photo taken elsewhere if it meets State Department requirements: 2x2 inches, color or black and white, taken within the last six months, with a plain white or off-white background.
Can I get a refund if I don't use my passport?
No. Passport fees are non-refundable once your application is submitted, even if you never use the passport or if it expires unused. The fee covers the cost of processing, printing, and issuing the document.
What if I need a passport for a court-ordered name change?
You pay the standard passport fee. Bring your court order along with your other documents when you apply in person. The court order itself does not cost extra; it is simply part of your proof of citizenship and identity.
Are there any passport fees I don't have to pay?
Military members on active duty can apply for a passport at no cost through their military ID office. Victims of human trafficking may be able to obtain a passport without paying the standard fee; contact the State Department's Office of Special Investigations for details. Otherwise, all applicants pay the standard fees.
What if I lose my passport after I pay for it but before I receive it?
Contact the passport agency or acceptance facility where you applied immediately. If your application has not yet been processed, they may be able to cancel it and refund your fee. If it has already been printed and mailed, you will need to file a report of loss and pay for a replacement passport. The sooner you report it, the better your chances of recovery or refund.