Welcome.
In this quick guide, we’ll cover everything there’s to know about the cost of getting a U.S. passport in 2024.
Plus—we’ll answer a few common questions associated with passport acquisition, such as:
- How to pay for passport fees.
- How long it takes to get a passport.
- The difference between a passport book and a card.
Let’s make a start:
How Much Does a Passport Cost?
The cost of a U.S. passport can vary depending on a few factors.
Those include your age, the type of passport you apply for (book, card, or both), and others. The easiest way to determine the cost of your passport is by using the Department of State’s fee calculator.
But—
Here’s also a breakdown of the fees you can expect to pay:
Adult Applicants (16 Years and Older)
| Type of Document | Application Fee (Paid to the U.S. Department of State) | Execution Fee (Paid to the Acceptance Facility) |
|---|---|---|
| First-time adult passport book (valid for international travel) | $130 | $35 |
| First-time adult passport card (valid only for travel by land and by sea to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean) | $30 | $35 |
| First-time adult passport book & card | $160 | $35 |
| Adult passport card (for applicants who currently have a valid passport book) | $30 | – |
Note that you’ll need to apply in person if you’re a first-time applicant. In terms of what form to fill out, use this wizard to find out.
Adult Renewals
| Type of Document | Application Fee (Paid to the U.S. Department of State) |
|---|---|
| Adult passport book | $130 |
| Adult passport card (not valid for international air travel) | $30 |
| Adult passport book & card | $160 |
If you want to renew your passport, you can do it via mail without paying the execution fee.
All Minor Applicants
| Type of Document | Application Fee (Paid to the U.S. Department of State) | Execution Fee (Paid to the Acceptance Facility) |
|---|---|---|
| Minor passport book | $100 | $35 |
| Minor passport card (not valid for international air travel) | $15 | $35 |
| Minor passport book & card | $115 | $35 |
When it comes to children under 16 years old, they need to apply in person and be accompanied by parents or legal guardians.
Importantly, passports for children are valid for five years instead of the usual 10.
Optional Fees
| Type of Fee | Extra Information | Fee (Paid to the U.S. Department of State) |
|---|---|---|
| Expedite fee | It provides faster processing than routine service and is paid per application, in addition to required fees. | $60 |
| 1–2 day delivery | It’s charged per application only for a passport book and is valid for U.S. mailing addresses. | $19.53 |
| File search fee | A file search is required when an applicant can’t show proof of U.S. citizenship or verify a previously issued U.S. Passport or Consular Report of Birth Abroad. | $150 |
How to Pay for Passport Fees?
Applying at an Acceptance Facility
When you apply at an acceptance facility, such as a post office, government office, or library, you’ll encounter two fees: the application fee and the acceptance fee.
Application Fee
The application fee is paid directly to the U.S. Department of State.
This fee covers the cost of processing your passport application. To pay this fee, you must submit a check or money order payable to “U.S. Department of State.”
Acceptable check types include personal, certified, cashier’s, and traveler’s checks. Credit or debit cards aren’t accepted for this payment.
Acceptance Fee
In addition to the application fee, you must pay a separate acceptance fee to the facility handling your application.
Payment methods for this fee vary, so you may want to contact the acceptance facility in advance to determine their payment forms. Commonly accepted payment methods include:
- Personal checks and money orders.
- Credit cards (the facility may impose a surcharge to cover the credit card transaction costs.)
- Cash (ensure you have the exact amount, as facilities may be unable to make change.)
Renewing by Mail
When renewing your passport by mail, send a check or money order payable to “U.S. Department of State.”
You can use personal, certified, cashier’s, or traveler’s checks, whereas credit or debit cards aren’t accepted for mail renewals.
If you are renewing your passport by mail from Canada, the payment process has a specific requirement:
- Your payment must be by check or money order.
- It must be payable in U.S. dollars.
- The payment must be through a U.S. bank.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Passport?
At the beginning of 2023, passport processing took 6–9 weeks.
However, this first extended to 8–11 weeks and then to 10–13 weeks as backlogs increased. Unsurprisingly, such delays drew significant criticism toward U.S. officials, including Antony Blinken.
As of this writing (early March 2024), routine processing times stand at 6–8 weeks, whereas expedited service takes 2–3 weeks. Keep in mind that mailing times aren’t included in these estimates.
That’s why it’s best to apply for a passport well in advance if you have any upcoming international travel plans.
Doing it will give you a good chance of receiving your travel documents on time, even if you submit incorrect fees and experience a delay.
Yet, it’s not just the fees that could cause your passport to arrive late. Bad photos submitted with your application can also cause your document to arrive late.
Luckily, apps like PhotoAiD let you take compliant passport photos with your smartphone, making it easy to get a perfect shot from the comfort of your home.
With this, it’s time to wrap!
As a Digital PR specialist and a member of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), I have 5+ years of writing experience.
Over the course of my career, my work has garnered significant attention, with features in numerous prominent publications such as The New York Times, Forbes, Inc., Business Insider, Fast Company, Entrepreneur, BBC, TechRepublic, Glassdoor, and G2.
