Passport fees may seem like an extra expense that you do not want to pay. Nevertheless, a passport is an important investment in your safety and security to travel domestically or internationally. Passport fees cover the price of processing your passport application and mailing your passport back to you. Passport fees are non-negotiable, and you cannot avoid them if you want or need a passport.
To pay only the regular, applicable passport fees, you must apply for a passport ahead of time. Otherwise, you may pay expensive fees for expedited passport processing, rush shipping, and extra pages added to your passport.
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What are passport fees?
Passport fees are the costs associated with passport processing and what it takes to get you a passport. Passport service centers charge an administrative fee that covers expenses related to obtaining, adjudicating, and producing your passport documents. It is in addition to any fees charged by the United States Department of State for government services.
Passport fees include the following:
- Application fee for renewing, replacing, or applying for a passport book or a passport card;
- Photograph fee for taking your passport photo at a passport acceptance facility or passport application support center operating at post offices, public libraries, and major retail stores across the country;
- Passport execution fee for processing your passport application; and
- The fee to cover express mailing or overnight return services when you need your passport faster than regular service.
How much is a standard passport book?
A standard passport book costs $110 for passport applicants age 16 and above. While minor applicants who are under age 16 can get a standard passport book for $80.
The $110 and $80 are for the constant application fees. There may be additional passport fees, depending on the type of your passport application, such as replacing or renewing your passport book. If you apply for a new or replacement of your standard passport book, you must add $35 for the execution fee.
A standard passport book has 28 pages. Seventeen of those are allotted for visa or entry or exit stamps. The validity of a standard passport book depends on the age of the passport book holder. It is valid for ten years for passport holders age 16 and above and five years for those under 16.
How much to renew a standard passport book?
If you want to renew your passport book, the application fee is $110. You do not have to pay an execution fee if your passport book is still valid.
Your passport book is valid if:
- you were at least 16 years old when you received your passport book;
- your passport book was issued within the past 15 years;
- your passport book is not damaged or mutilated beyond normal wear or tear; and
- your passport book was issued in your current name, or you can document your name change.
If your passport book does not meet these conditions, you need to submit another passport book application. Your old passport book is invalidated when the new one is issued.
To renew your passport book, you must submit the following by mail:
- Form DS-82, U.S. Passport Renewal Application For Eligible Individuals — Only eligible individuals can file Form DS-82. You may know if you are eligible here.
- Name change documents — If you had a name change due to divorce, marriage, or adoption, you must submit documents that show your name change. See other details here.
- Valid passport photo — You cannot use your old passport photo. When you submit a new passport book application, whether renewal or replacement, you must submit an updated passport photo. See guidelines for an acceptable passport photo here.
- $110-application fee — You may add $60 to expedite your passport book renewal.
Take note that minor applicants are not eligible to renew their passport books or passport cards by mail. They need to apply in person and submit Form DS-11, Application Form for New U.S. Passport.
How much to renew a non-standard passport book?
If you want to renew your non-standard passport book, you will pay $110. Although a non-standard passport book is much larger and has 52 pages, you will still pay the same application fee as a standard passport book.
A non-standard passport book is ideal for frequent travelers. It has 43 blank pages allotted for entry or exit visa stamps. To ensure you do not run out of pages, get the non-standard passport book. You may submit the following:
- Form DS-82
- Name change documents, if applicable
- Valid passport photo
- $110-application fee
To get the non-standard passport book, mark “Large Book (Non-Standard)” in your Form DS-82.
How much is a first-time passport book?
If you are age 16 or above, you need to pay a $110-application fee and a $35-execution fee to apply for a new passport book. If you are under age 16, you need to pay an $80-application fee and a $35-execution fee.
Firs-time passport book applicants must go to their local passport acceptance facility and submit the following:
- Form DS-11
- Citizenship evidence
- Government-issued photo identification
- Photocopy of the front and back page of their citizenship evidence and photo identification
- Passport photo
- Passport fee
Get more information here.
How much to replace a stolen or lost passport book?
If your passport book is lost or stolen, you may replace it for $145. The replacement fee includes the application and execution fee. The fee to replace a lost or stolen passport book and apply for a new one is the same. However, the process and documents to submit vary.
In addition to the replacement fees, you must submit the following documents in person:
- Form DS-64, Statement Regarding A Lost Or Stolen U.S. Passport Book And/Or Card
- Form DS-11
- Form DS-82
- Citizenship Evidence
- Photo Identification
- Passport Photo
- Passport Fees
Form DS-64 serves as your signed statement that your passport book is lost or stolen. You will not be issued a new passport book without submitting Form DS-64.
How much to replace a damaged passport book?
If your passport book is severely damaged or mutilated, you cannot use it anymore. To get a new passport book, you must pay a $110-application fee and a $35-execution fee.
Although passport books are made of high-quality materials to last a long time, they may get scratched or torn accidentally. In these cases, the following documents and fees apply:
- Form DS-11;
- Damaged U.S. passport book so the passport agency can cancel it;
- A signed statement explaining the damage;
- Citizenship evidence;
- Photo identification;
- Passport photo; and
- Passport fees.
How much is a passport card?
If you only travel by land or sea, it may be best to get a passport card. A passport card costs less than a passport book. It serves as both your proof of citizenship and identity, all in one document.
If you are an adult, you may get a new passport card for $65. It includes the application and execution fee. If you are a minor, you may get a new passport card for $50.
To get a new passport card, you may go to a passport acceptance facility and submit the documents needed when you apply for a new passport book, as the process and documents to obtain them are the same.
How much to renew a passport card?
You may renew your passport card if you are eligible to file Form DS-82. You must pay $30.
Take note that passport card renewal is available only for adult passport applicants. If you are a minor, you must apply for a new passport card in person.
How much to replace a lost or stolen passport card?
A lost or stolen passport card can be replaced for $65 for adults and $50 for minors. When your passport card is lost or stolen, you may get a new one by submitting a new passport card application to a passport acceptance facility.
How much to replace a damaged passport card?
To replace a damaged passport card, you must pay $65 if you are an adult; otherwise, you may pay $50.
How much is an expedited passport?
If you want to expedite your passport book or passport card, you must add $60 to your passport fees. Expediting your passport application shortens the processing time for your application by 12 weeks.
The $60-expedite fee is constant whether you apply for the first time, renew, or replace your passport.
Can I get my passport in one day?
The quickest processing time the United States Department of State offers is three business days. It is available for passport applicants who need an urgent flight due to a life or death emergency. You may schedule an appointment at a regional passport agency and submit documents to support your situation.
If you want to get a passport within 24 hours, you may find private passport companies that expedite passports. However, you may spend up to $799.
Many events and trips require a passport. If you need one, you should apply for a new passport a few months ahead of time. The routine service takes up to 18 weeks of processing time. To avoid waiting too long, you may apply for expedited service.
How do I pay for my passport at the post office?
The U.S. Department of State accepts different modes of payment depending on where you apply for a passport. If you apply for a passport at a post office, government office, or library, you must follow the steps below.
- Contact your post office, government office, or library to confirm if they are open. If you apply at a post office, make an appointment directly on the United States Postal Service (USPS) website.
- Submit a check or money order payable to “U.S. Department of State.”
- Check with your postal office, government office, or library for any additional charges.
How much is a passport photo at the post office?
The United States Postal Office (USPS) offers to take passport photos for $15. The price may vary from one state to another, so call your local post office to confirm its fees before you go in.
How much is a passport photo at Walgreens?
A passport photo at Walgreens costs $0.35, but it is subject to change.
How much is a passport photo at FedEx Office?
A passport photo at FedEx Office costs $14.95, but it is subject to change.
How much is a passport photo at CVS?
A passport photo at CVS costs $14.99. However, it is subject to change. If you want to improvise your passport photo to spend less, you may do so. Get details on how to take a valid passport photo here.
When do you pay passport fees?
It is advisable to pay passport fees on the day of your appointment. However, if you do not have enough time to do so because of a last-minute travel plan, you may pay for passport fees beforehand through an online service.
Will passport fees increase?
Yes, passport fees may increase depending on government regulations.
Where to pay passport fees?
The payment method varies depending on where you apply for a passport.
If you wish to renew your passport by mail, you must submit a check or money order payable to “U.S. Department of State. If you reside in Canada, make your check or money order payable in U.S. dollars through a U.S. bank.
If you want to apply or renew your passport at a passport agency, you may pay using:
- a credit card;
- a check or money order payable to “U.S. Department of State”;
- the exact amount of cash; or
- a pre-paid credit card or gift card.
If you apply for a passport outside the United States, you may check with the local U.S. embassy or consulate regarding their acceptable payment method.
Can you deduct passport fees on taxes?
Yes, it may be possible to deduct passport fees on taxes if you have a business trip abroad. According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), taxpayers may deduct 100% of their passport fees if they use their passports for business purposes.
You should check with your tax preparer or accountant for more information.
Can you pay passport fees at a post office?
Yes, you may pay your passport fees at a post office.
If you are applying for a passport at a post office, make an appointment with the United States Postal Service (USPS) first.
The USPS accepts cash, money orders, and either personal or business checks.
Depending on your location, there may be additional charges for passport photos and overnight mail.
How much is a passport for babies?
Babies are considered minor applicants. Their parents or legal guardians can get a passport book on their behalf for $115 or a passport card for $50.
Can passport fees be waived?
No, there are no passport fee waivers under normal circumstances. However, if you are experiencing financial difficulty due to an emergency, you may ask to reduce your fees in writing.
The U.S. Department of State may also waive your passport fees if you lost your passport in a major disaster, such as the 2020 Oregon wildfires and November 2018 California wildfires.
How much to change or correct my passport details?
You may correct any data or printing error on your passport for free. You need to prepare the following documents:
- Completed Form DS-5504, Application for a U.S. Passport: Name Change, Data Correction, and Limited Passport Book Replacement
- An original and a photocopy of your current valid passport
- Valid passport photo
- Evidence of the error
- Parent’s signature in Form DS-5504, if under age 16
For routine service, you may mail the above documents to:
National Passport Processing Center
Post Office Box 90107
Philadelphia, PA 19190-0107
For a $60-expedited service, you may mail the above documents to:
National Passport Processing Center
Post Office Box 90907
Philadelphia, PA 19190-0907
If you want to change your passport information because you had a name or address change, you may do so for free if you request the change less than one year after your passport was issued. Mail the following via USPS:
- Form DS-5504
- Your most recent U.S. passport
- Your original or certified name change document, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order
- Valid passport photo
If you request the change for more than one year after your passport was issued, there are applicable passport fees as you must renew or replace your passport.