You can use a money order to pay for a U.S. passport, but only through the mail — not in person at an acceptance facility

The U.S. State Department accepts money orders as payment for passport applications and renewals sent by mail. You cannot use a money order at a passport acceptance facility or passport agency office; those locations require a check, credit card, debit card, or cash. If you are applying by mail, a money order works the same way as a personal check: you write it to the U.S. Department of State, include it with your application packet, and mail everything together.

Money orders are useful if you do not have a checking account or prefer not to share your bank account number. They are also safer than sending cash through the mail. The downside is that you have to buy the money order in advance, which adds a step and a small fee to your application process.

Key Takeaways

  • Money orders for passport fees must be made payable to "U.S. Department of State" and included in your mailed application packet.
  • The current passport application fee varies by document type — a new adult passport book costs one amount, a renewal costs another, and expedited processing adds a separate fee.
  • You can buy a money order at a bank, post office, grocery store, or check-cashing service for a small fee, usually between $1 and $5.
  • Money orders are not accepted at passport acceptance facilities or passport agencies; you must mail your application to use this payment method.
  • Your money order receipt is not proof of payment to the State Department — keep it for your records, but the State Department tracks payment only after they receive your application.

Where to buy a money order for your passport payment

You can purchase a money order at most banks, the U.S. Postal Service, grocery stores with financial services counters, Walmart, and check-cashing businesses. Each location charges a fee, usually between $1 and $5 depending on the amount and the vendor. The fee is separate from the passport fee itself.

The post office is often the most convenient option because you can buy the money order and mail your application packet in the same trip. Banks typically charge less than other vendors but may require you to be a customer. Grocery stores and Walmart are open longer hours and do not require membership.

When you buy the money order, you will receive a receipt. Write down the money order number and keep the receipt in a safe place. This is your proof that you purchased it, but it is not proof that the State Department received it.

How to fill out a money order for a passport application

Write "U.S. Department of State" in the payee line — this is the field that says "Pay to the Order of" or similar. Do not write a person's name or a passport agency address. The State Department processes all passport payments centrally, regardless of which office handles your application.

Write the amount in both the numerical box and the written-amount line. The amount depends on which passport product you are ordering and whether you want expedited processing. Check the State Department's current fee schedule before you buy the money order, because you cannot change the amount once it is written.

Do not sign the money order until you are ready to mail your application. Some money orders require a signature on the back; follow the instructions on the specific money order you purchased. Include the money order in the same envelope as your application form, supporting documents, and photos.

Current passport fees and which ones require a money order

The State Department charges different fees for different passport products. A new adult passport book (for someone 16 or older applying for the first time) costs one amount. A passport renewal costs less because it does not include the execution fee. Expedited processing — which speeds up the timeline — adds a separate fee on top of the base fee.

Passport card applications and passport book-and-card combinations have their own fees. Minors (under 16) have lower fees than adults. The exact dollar amounts change periodically, so you should check the State Department's official fee page before you buy your money order.

If you are unsure which product you need, the State Department's website has a fee calculator. You answer a few questions about your age, whether you have had a passport before, and whether you want expedited processing, and it tells you the exact amount to write on your money order.

Mailing your application with a money order payment

Include your money order in the same envelope as your completed passport application form (DS-11, DS-82, or DS-64 depending on your situation), your supporting documents, and your passport photo. Do not mail the money order separately. The State Department processes applications as complete packets, and a payment that arrives without an application will be returned.

Mail your packet to the address listed on the application form instructions. This address changes depending on whether you are applying for a new passport, renewing, or replacing a lost or stolen one. Use a mailing method that provides tracking, such as Priority Mail or First-Class Mail with tracking, so you can confirm delivery.

Processing times vary. Standard processing typically takes several weeks; expedited processing is faster but costs more. The State Department will send you a notice if there is a problem with your application or payment, so check your mail regularly after you submit.

What happens if your money order is lost or damaged in the mail

If your money order is lost or damaged before the State Department receives it, you will need to stop payment on the original money order and buy a replace it. Contact the vendor where you purchased the money order (post office, bank, or store) with your receipt and the money order number. They can issue a replacement or refund, though there may be a fee.

Once you have the replacement money order, you can mail your application again. Keep your original receipt as proof that you purchased the first money order, in case there are questions later about duplicate payments.

If the State Department receives your application but the money order is damaged or illegible, they will contact you and ask you to send a new one. This delays processing, so using a tracked mailing method helps you catch problems early.

Alternatives to a money order for mailing a passport application

You can also pay for a mailed passport application with a personal check or a cashier's check. A check works the same way as a money order: you write it to the U.S. Department of State and include it with your application. Checks do not cost anything to write, so this is cheaper than a money order if you have a checking account.

If you are applying in person at a passport acceptance facility or passport agency, you can pay with cash, a debit card, or a credit card. You cannot use a money order or check at these locations. If you need your passport quickly and want to avoid mailing, applying in person is faster, though you will need to use one of the accepted payment methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a money order to pay at a passport acceptance facility?

No. Passport acceptance facilities and passport agencies only accept cash, debit cards, and credit cards. Money orders are accepted only for mailed applications. If you want to use a money order, you must mail your application to the State Department.

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

You cannot change the amount once a money order is written. If you made a mistake, you will need to stop payment on that money order and buy a new one with the correct amount. Contact the vendor where you purchased it with your receipt and money order number.

Do I need to keep my money order receipt after I mail my application?

Yes. Keep your receipt as proof that you purchased the money order. The State Department does not send you a receipt for payment; your vendor's receipt is your only record. If there are questions about your payment later, you will need it.

How long does it take the State Department to process a payment made by money order?

Processing time depends on how long it takes your application to arrive and how busy the State Department is, not on the payment method. Standard processing typically takes several weeks; expedited processing is faster. The State Department will contact you if there is a problem with your payment.

Can I send a money order for someone else's passport application?

Yes. The money order must be made payable to "U.S. Department of State," not to a person's name. Include it with the applicant's completed form and supporting documents. The State Department does not care who purchased the money order, only that payment is included with the application.