For US citizens, whether you are planning a family vacation or going on a business trip overseas, you must have a US passport. However, passport services vary and the cost depends on the type of passport service you need. Here we will provide you with a complete guide on what types of passport services are there and demonstrate all the costs clearly.
How Much Does a US Passport Book Cost?
The US passport book is a type of passport for international travel. With a passport book, you can travel overseas by all means of transportation, including planes, ships, trains, and cars.
The fees for a US passport book depend on if you are applying for the first time, and usually, the fee you need to pay in total is made up of an application fee and an acceptance fee. The application fee is charged by the US Department of State which accepts personal checks or money orders, while the acceptance fee will be paid to the acceptance facility that processes your application. You may pay with cash, check, or credit card.
Please refer to the following tables:
First-time Application Fee
| Age | Application Fee | Acceptance Fee | Total Fee |
| Adults (age 16 and above) | $130 | $35 | $165 |
| Minors (under age 16) | $100 | $35 | $135 |
Passport Book Renewal Fee
| Age | Application Fee | Acceptance Fee | Total Fee |
| Adults (age 16 and above) | $130 | $0 | $130 |
Minors need to apply for a new passport if theirs expires. They are not eligible to renew an expired passport. If your child’s passport book has expired before he turns 16, you should apply for a new one for him.
How Much Does a US Passport Card Cost?
The US passport card is a wallet-sized card that allows US citizens to travel from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and Caribbean countries by land and sea. Compared to the US passport book, it is cheaper but it is not valid for international travel by air. The total fee also consists of an application fee and an acceptance fee.
See the following tables:
First-time Application Fee
| Age | Application Fee | Acceptance Fee | Total Fee |
| Adults (age 16 and above) | $30 | $35 | $65 |
| Minors (under age 16) | $15 | $35 | $50 |
Passport Card Renewal Fee
| Age | Application Fee | Acceptance Fee | Total Fee |
| Adults (age 16 and above) | $30 | $0 | $30 |
As same as the passport book, it is not an option for minors to renew a passport card according to the US Department of State.
How Much Does It Cost for a Passport Book and a Passport Card?
For those who intend to get both the passport book and the passport card at the same time, you only need to pay the acceptance fee once for first-time application. Here are the fee tables:
First-time Application Fee
| Age | Application Fee | Acceptance Fee | Total Fee |
| Adults (age 16 and above) | $160 | $35 | $195 |
| Minors (under age 16) | $115 | $35 | $150 |
Passport Renewal Fee
| Age | Application Fee | Acceptance Fee | Total Fee |
| Adults (age 16 and above) | $160 | $0 | $160 |
Passport renewal is not available for minors.
How Much Is an Expedited Passport?
Usually, it takes 8 weeks to process a passport. If you need to rush the process, you can pay for an expedited service which will shorten the processing time to 2-3 weeks. The fee for an expedited passport is an additional $60 for each application. To better understand it, see the following tables:
Application and Renewal Cost for a Passport Book
| Age | Standard | Expedited |
| Adults (age 16 and above) | $130 | $190 |
| Minors (under age 16) | $100 | $160 |
Application and Renewal Cost for a Passport Card
| Age | Standard | Expedited |
| Adults (age 16 and above) | $30 | $90 |
| Minors (under age 16) | $15 | $75 |
The costs shown above do not include the acceptance fee and please be reminded that minors can not renew a passport. Renewal costs are only subject to adult applicants.
The fee for an expedited service is paid to the US Department of State. In case you have paid the additional $60 but haven’t received an expedited service, you can get a refund. However, whether your passport has been issued, any other passport fees, including the application fee and acceptance fee, will not be refunded.
Alternative Fees for Passport Services
Apart from the fee for expedited service, there are other optional services. Check out the below table to see their cost:
| Service | Fee | Description |
| 1-2 Day Delivery | $21.36 | • You will receive your passport delivery within 1-2 days. • If you only apply for a passport card, please do not require this service. Passport cards will be sent by USPS First Class Mail. |
| File Search | $150 | If you have a US passport before but can not present it as proof of US citizenship, you can apply for a file search. |
| Larger Passport Book | $0 | A regular US passport book has 32 pages. If you travel frequently and need more pages, you can request a large book with 52 pages. There is no additional cost. |
How to Pay Passport Book & Card Cost
There are multiple ways to pay for your passport fees. It depends on what type of fee you are paying and where you are submitting your passport application. Check out the following 2 tables:
First-time application
| Type of Fee | Payment Receiver | Submission Location | Form of Payment |
| Application Fee | US Department of State | Acceptance Facilities | Checks or money orders. |
| Acceptance Fee | Acceptance Facilities | Acceptance Facilities | • Checks or money orders.• Credit cards or exact cash are accepted at some facilities. |
| Application/Acceptance Fee | US Department of State/Passport Agencies | Passport Agencies | Credit cards, debit cards, digital wallet payments, checks, money orders and exact cash. |
Renewal
| Type of Fee | Payment Receiver | Submission Location | Form of Payment | Note |
| Application Fee | US Department of State | By mail | Checks or money orders. | Payment from Canada must be made in US dollars through a US bank. |
| Application Fee | US Department of State | Online | Credit cards, debit cards or ACH (Automated Clearing House) payments. | Payments are made through the pay.gov website. |
| Application Fee | US Department of State | Passport Agencies | Credit cards, debit cards, digital wallet payments, checks, money orders and exact cash. |
As mentioned above, the acceptance fee, also called the execution fee, is not required for passport renewals. If you are applying for the first time, it is best you check with the acceptance facility you are going to visit about its payment method.
FAQ
- What’s the difference between an application fee and an execution fee?
The application fee is paid to the US Department of State for processing your passport application and it is required for all passport applications, whereas the execution fee is paid to the acceptance facility that accepts your application. It is only necessary for first-time applications.
- Can you pay for a passport with a credit card?
Acceptable payment methods vary in different locations and it also depends on what type of passport fee you are paying. If you want to pay both an application fee and an execution fee by credit card, you can submit your application at a passport agency.
- How much is a U.S. passport for 5 years?
A US passport with 5-year validity is usually a passport book or a passport card for minors under the age of 16. The cost for a minor passport book is $135 while a minor passport card costs $50. If you need to expedite the process, you should pay an additional $60 for each application.
- What is the fee for adding additional visa pages to a passport book?
If you are a frequent traveler, you can ask for a large passport book with more visa pages at no additional cost. However, if you have run out of empty pages, you need to apply for a new one. It is not possible to add pages to the current passport book.
- Do passport costs vary depending on where you apply (e.g., in the U.S. vs. abroad)?
US passports cost the same abroad as at home. You can apply for one at a US Embassy or Consulate when you are abroad.
- How much does it cost to replace a lost or stolen passport?
To replace a lost or stolen passport, the cost is the same as your first-time application, which is $165 in total. If you require an expedited service, it will be $225 in total.
- What is the fee for a name change on a U.S. passport?
If your passport is issued within 1 year, there will be no fee for a name change on your US passport. However, if your passport has been issued for more than 1 year, you should pay a fee of the same amount as a passport renewal which is $130. Regardless of the date of issue, there will be an additional $60 fee if you require an expedited process.
- Do passport fees include mailing or delivery costs?
For standard passport applications, mailing or delivery costs are included in passport fees. There is an optional cost of $21.36 for a 1-2 day delivery. On the other hand, in case you mail your application to the acceptance facility for a passport renewal, you need to cover the mailing cost.
- What’s the difference between a passport book and a passport card?
A US passport book is used for international travel by land, sea, and air. A US passport card is used for land and sea entry from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. It can not be used for international travel by air but it is much cheaper than a passport book. Click here to learn more about the difference.
Conclusion
In this article, we have broken down the cost of a US passport. To find out the exact cost you need to pay, you need to decide whether you are applying for a passport book or a passport card, whether you are applying for an adult or a minor, whether you are getting a new passport or renewing your current one and whether you need other optional services. Knowing what you need specifically, you can calculate the cost of a US passport easily.
Dolores Xiao