What you pay for a passport depends on which type you need and whether you already have one
A passport book (the standard booklet) costs $130 for an adult first-time application and $100 to renew one that has expired or will expire soon. If you need a passport card (a wallet-sized ID for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean), it costs $35 for a first-time application and $30 to renew. You can get both a book and a card together for $165 as a first-time applicant or $135 to renew.
These are the State Department's fees as of now, and they do not change often, but they have changed in the past. The State Department website lists current fees, and you should check there before you pay, because fees occasionally increase.
On top of the passport fee itself, you will pay a execution fee of $35 if you apply in person at a passport acceptance facility (post office, library, or courthouse). If you renew by mail, there is no execution fee. You will also pay for shipping — usually $18.50 for regular mail return or $19.50 for expedited return.
Key Takeaways
- A new adult passport book costs $130 plus a $35 execution fee if you apply in person, plus shipping costs.
- Renewing a passport by mail costs $100 for the book with no execution fee, plus return shipping.
- You can pay by check, money order, or credit card, depending on where and how you apply.
- Expedited processing costs extra and speeds up the timeline, but does not change the base passport fee.
- Passport fees go to the U.S. State Department and are not refundable if you change your mind or your application is denied.
Where to pay and what payment methods are accepted
If you apply in person at a passport acceptance facility, you pay the staff member directly. They accept checks, money orders, and credit or debit cards — but call ahead to confirm, because some locations have limits on which cards they take or may not accept certain payment types.
If you renew by mail, you send a check or money order with your application. The State Department does not accept credit cards for mail-in renewals. Make the check or money order payable to "U.S. Department of State."
If you apply through a passport agency in person (not a routine acceptance facility), you can pay by check, money order, or credit card. Passport agencies are located in major cities and handle expedited and replacement passports.
Expedited processing and rush fees
If you need your passport faster than the standard timeline, you can pay for expedited processing, which costs an additional $60. Expedited processing usually cuts the wait time roughly in half, but the exact timeline depends on how busy the State Department is at that moment.
You can also pay for expedited shipping on the return of your passport, which costs $19.50 instead of the standard $18.50. This is different from expedited processing — it only speeds up how fast your finished passport gets mailed back to you, not how fast it is processed.
Some people pay for both expedited processing and expedited shipping if they are in a real time crunch. That adds $60 plus $1 to your total cost, but it is the fastest option available outside of applying in person at a passport agency.
How to submit payment when you apply
At a passport acceptance facility or agency, hand your payment to the staff member when you submit your application. They will give you a receipt. Keep this receipt — it is proof you paid and you may need it to track your application.
By mail, enclose your check or money order in the same envelope as your application and supporting documents. Do not send cash. The State Department recommends sending everything by certified mail so you have proof of delivery.
Do not pay online through a third-party website, even if one appears in a search result. The State Department does not collect passport fees online. Any site asking you to pay for a passport through the internet is not an official government service.
What happens if your application is denied or you change your mind
Passport fees are not refundable. If the State Department denies your application because your documents are incomplete or you do not meet the requirements, you keep the fee. If you decide you do not want the passport after you have paid, you cannot get your money back.
If you submit an application and then realize you made a mistake before the passport is issued, contact the acceptance facility or passport agency right away. They may be able to stop processing and correct the error, but they cannot reverse the fee you already paid.
Passport fees for minors and special circumstances
A passport for a child under 16 costs $100 for a new book (plus the $35 execution fee if applying in person) and $85 to renew. A passport card for a minor costs $20 new or $15 to renew. Both parents or guardians must appear in person with the child to apply for a minor's first passport.
If you need a replacement passport because yours was lost, stolen, or significantly damaged, you pay the same fee as a new passport. If you need a passport name change due to marriage or court order, you pay the renewal fee, not the new passport fee, as long as your old passport is still valid.
Tracking your payment and application status
When you apply in person, you receive a receipt with an application number. Use this number to track your passport on the State Department's website. The tracking system shows you whether your application has been received, is being processed, or is ready for pickup or delivery.
If you applied by mail, your receipt is the certified mail receipt. Write down the application number from your application form and check the State Department website regularly. Processing times vary widely depending on demand — standard processing can take 6 to 8 weeks or longer during peak travel season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay for a passport with a credit card by mail?
No. The State Department only accepts checks or money orders for mail-in applications. If you need to use a credit card, you must apply in person at a passport acceptance facility or agency.
What if I send a check and it bounces?
Your application will be returned to you unpaid. You will need to resubmit with a new check or money order. This delays your passport, but you do not lose the fee — you simply have to send payment again.
Do I have to pay the execution fee if I renew by mail?
No. The $35 execution fee only applies when you apply in person. Mail-in renewals have no execution fee, only the passport fee itself and return shipping.
Is there a way to get a passport without paying the State Department fee?
No. All U.S. passports require payment of the State Department fee. Some nonprofits or community organizations may help you cover the cost if you cannot afford it, but the fee itself is mandatory and goes to the federal government.
What if I pay for expedited processing but the State Department is too busy to meet the timeline?
The State Department does not refund expedited fees if processing takes longer than expected, even during unusually busy periods. Expedited processing is a best-effort service, not a may provide of a specific date.