Money orders work for passport fees, but only through the mail

You can pay for a U.S. passport with a money order, but only if you are mailing your application to a passport acceptance facility or the State Department. You cannot use a money order in person at a post office, library, or courthouse — those locations require a check, cash, or credit/debit card at the time you submit your application.

A money order is actually safer than sending a personal check through the mail because it cannot be altered or cashed by someone else. The State Department accepts them as payment for passport books, passport cards, and expedited processing fees. The money order must be made out to "U.S. Department of State" and included in the same envelope as your application form, photos, and identification documents.

The fee for a passport book is currently $130 for adults applying for the first time (or renewing after 15 years), and $35 for a passport card. Expedited processing adds $60 to either application. These amounts change periodically, so check the official State Department website before you purchase your money order to confirm the current fee.

Key Takeaways

  • Money orders are accepted only for mailed passport applications, not for in-person applications at acceptance facilities.
  • The money order must be made out to "U.S. Department of State" and sent in the same envelope as your application and supporting documents.
  • You can purchase a money order at a post office, bank, grocery store, or check-cashing service for a small fee (usually $1 to $3).
  • Keep your receipt from the money order purchase in case there is a problem with your application — it proves you sent payment.
  • Standard processing takes 6 to 8 weeks; expedited processing takes 2 to 3 weeks, but both timelines assume the State Department receives your complete application.

Where to buy a money order for your passport payment

You can purchase a money order at most post offices, banks, grocery stores with financial services, and check-cashing businesses. Post offices are the most common choice because they are widely available and staff are familiar with the process. The cost of the money order itself is usually $1 to $3, depending on where you buy it.

When you buy the money order, tell the clerk you need it made out to "U.S. Department of State." The clerk will fill in the payee line and you will sign the money order. You will receive a receipt — keep this receipt with a copy of your passport application for your records. If your application is lost in the mail or the State Department cannot locate your payment, the receipt proves you sent it.

Do not purchase the money order until you have completed your passport application form (DS-11 for a new passport, DS-82 for renewal, or DS-64 if reporting a lost or stolen passport). This way you can verify the exact amount needed and include it in the same mailing.

How to include the money order with your mailed application

Place the money order in the same envelope as your completed application form, passport photos, and copies of your identification documents. Do not fold or bend the money order. Write your name and date of birth on the back of the money order so the State Department can match it to your application if pages become separated during processing.

Mail everything to the address listed on the passport application form you are using. The address depends on which form you submitted and whether you are applying for expedited processing. Standard applications typically go to a regional passport acceptance facility, while expedited applications may go directly to a State Department processing center. The form instructions will specify the correct mailing address.

Use first-class mail or a tracked service like Priority Mail Express if you want confirmation of delivery. The State Department does not require tracking, but it gives you proof the application arrived if there are later questions about whether payment was received.

Why a money order is safer than a personal check

A personal check can be altered, forged, or cashed by someone other than the intended recipient if it is lost in the mail. A money order is pre-printed with a fixed amount and cannot be changed once it is issued. Only the person who purchased it can cash it, and only if they have the receipt number.

The State Department processes thousands of applications weekly, and mail sometimes gets lost or delayed. If your check goes missing, someone could potentially cash it. A money order eliminates that risk. If your money order is lost, you can contact the issuer (the post office, bank, or store where you bought it) with your receipt and request a replacement or refund.

What happens after you mail your application with a money order

The State Department will process your application in the order it was received. Standard processing takes 6 to 8 weeks from the date they receive your complete application. Expedited processing takes 2 to 3 weeks. These timelines assume your application is complete — missing documents, unclear photos, or illegible forms can delay processing by several weeks.

You will not receive a receipt or confirmation email when the State Department receives your mailed application. You can check the status of your application online using the State Department's passport status tool, which requires your date of birth and Social Security number. The tool updates periodically but not in real time, so it may take a few days after mailing for your application to appear in the system.

If you need your passport urgently and standard processing is too slow, you can request expedited processing by checking the appropriate box on your application form and paying the $60 expedited fee. This shortens processing to 2 to 3 weeks but does not may provide a specific delivery date.

Alternatives if you cannot mail your application

If you need a passport quickly or prefer to apply in person, you can visit a passport acceptance facility or post office that offers in-person applications. These locations do not accept money orders — you must pay with cash, a personal check, or a credit or debit card at the time of application. Some facilities also accept money orders if you are paying for expedited processing, but policies vary by location.

If you do not have a credit card or debit card and prefer not to carry cash, ask the acceptance facility whether they accept personal checks. Many do, though some require a check from a local bank. Call ahead to confirm payment methods before you visit.

For the fastest service, apply in person for expedited processing. You will pay the standard passport fee plus the $60 expedited fee, and processing takes 2 to 3 weeks. Some passport acceptance facilities also offer expedited in-person service, which can reduce the wait to as little as a few days, but this service is not available everywhere and may have additional fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a money order to pay for expedited passport processing?

Yes. Include the money order for the total amount (passport fee plus $60 expedited fee) in your mailed application. Check the expedited processing box on your application form so the State Department knows to prioritize your case. Processing will take 2 to 3 weeks instead of 6 to 8 weeks.

What if I send the wrong amount on my money order?

Contact the State Department's passport information line or check your application status online. If the amount is too low, they will return your application and ask you to resubmit with the correct payment. If the amount is too high, they will process your application and may issue a refund, though this can take several months.

Do I need to include a receipt with my money order?

No, the receipt is not required. Keep it for your own records in case you need to prove you sent payment. The State Department will not need it unless your application is lost or there is a dispute about whether payment was received.

Can I use a money order to renew my passport by mail?

Yes, if you are renewing by mail (using form DS-82). The process is the same — make the money order out to "U.S. Department of State," include it in the same envelope as your application and supporting documents, and mail everything to the address on the form. Standard renewal processing takes 6 to 8 weeks.

What if my money order is lost in the mail?

Contact the issuer (the post office, bank, or store where you purchased it) with your receipt number. They can issue a replacement or refund. You will also need to contact the State Department to report that your original application may not have arrived. They can help you determine whether to resubmit your application with a new money order.