When applying for a US passport, applicants will have to pay the fees specific to their situation. A passport book and a passport card have different prices, as do a first issuance and a passport renewal.
The fees for a US passport have changed a few times in the last few years, so it is recommended to always check the prices and the accepted forms of payment before submitting the documents.
This article will help you brush up on the current US passport fees for 2023. Keep reading as we will go through every detail of passport charges to ensure that your application goes on smoothly.
In this article:
- Current US passport fees – first time application
- US passport renewal fees
- Passport fees in the US – accepted payment methods
Current US passport fees: first time application
When applying for the first time with Form DS-11, applicants will have to pay the standard US passport application fee plus the execution fee. The first amount depends on what document you are requesting:
- US passport book: $130
- US passport card: $30
- US passport book and card: $160.
The execution fee for all three transactions is $35.So, in total it will be $165 for a passport book, $65 for a passport card, and $195 for both documents. The same fees apply for passport replacement (lost, stolen, damaged document).
Do you want to learn more about passports? Check these out:
- US Passport Fees: Complete Information for 2023
- No-Fee Passport
- How to Obtain a Free US Passport
- Can a Felon Get a Passport? It Depends
- Passport Lost Before a Flight—Can You Still Travel? [And What to Do]
- How to Replace a Damaged Passport—Complete Guide
- 7 Examples of Rejected Passport Photos [+Commentary]
US passport book and card fees: minors
Parents or legal guardians applying for a US passport for a child under 16 (sixteen) can expect the fees to be 23% lower (for a passport book), but the execution fee will stay the same. So, for a minor’s passport you will have to pay:
- $100 for a US passport book
- $15 for a US passport card
- $115 for a US passport book and card.
In total, applicants will pay $135 for a passport book, $50 for a passport card, and $150 for both.
US passport renewal fees
US citizens who need to renew their passport with Form DS-82 will not have to pay the execution fee. The renewal fees are the same as the one for the first passport issuance.
Thus, the total cost will be $130 for a passport book, $30 for a passport card, and $160 for both of them.
The situation does not change for children under 16 (sixteen) since passport renewals are not available for minors. When it expires, applicants will have to apply again with a DS-11 passport form, so the fees stay the same.
US passport expedited fees
At any passport agency in the USA, applicants have the possibility to expedite the processing times by paying an extra amount. If you choose this service, the National Passport Processing Center will get your travel document ready in 5 (five) to 7 (seven) weeks (the routine service takes 8 to 11 weeks), not including mailing times. You can also pay to shorten the delivery to 1-2 days.
The expedited service is available both for passport issuance and passport renewal; according to the Department of State, the fees are:
- $60 for expedited processing times;
- $18.32 for 1-2 day delivery (not available for passport card only).
These passport services are available to all citizens in the United States; you can also pay the US passport renewal fees for the expedited processing if you are applying from Canada by mail (DS-82 form only).
Individuals applying from a foreign country should check the dedicated internet sites (local US Embassy or Consulate); sometimes, depending on the country, you might have the possibility to access similar services to get your new passport faster.
Passport fees in the US: accepted payment methods
The accepted payment methods for US passport fees change depending on where and how you are applying for a passport.
If you are handing in your application form at a Passport Acceptance Facility, they will accept different forms of payment for the two parts of the payment.
The US passport application fees are accepted only with a check or money order made payable to “US Department of State.”
For the execution fee, you can pay with:
- money order
- check
- cash (only in some of them and exact amount only)
- credit card (at the post office).
During the passport appointment at a passport agency, applicants can pay with:
- money order
- check
- all major credit cards
- debit card (Visa and Mastercard only)
- cash (exact amount only)
- prepaid credit card (Visa and Mastercard only).
Applying by mail from the USA or from Canada, individuals can only pay by check or money order. For any other country, you need to check in with the local Consulate or Embassy.
All fees for a US passport are non-refundable, except the expedited fee if the service fails.
Fees for a US passport: FAQ
To wrap up this guide, we will answer a few questions from people interested in knowing more about US passport fees.
What are the current US passport fees?
As of 2023, an adult passport book costs $130, a card $30, and both of them—$160. For minors, a passport book costs $100, a card $15, and $115 for both. For a first application, you will have to pay an additional $35 for any document.
How much are passport renewal fees?
To renew a US passport, applicants only need to pay the standard application fee (book $130, card $30, both $160). There is no additional execution fee.
How to pay US passport fees?
The accepted payment methods vary from one office to the other. A check or money order made payable to “US Department of State” will be approved by any passport agency or center. Some will accept credit cards and prepaid cards. If they accept cash, you need to provide the exact amount.
How much does an international passport cost?
Any passport allows its holders to travel internationally. Thus, in the US, citizens can apply for an American passport book that costs $130 for adults or $100 for minors. The citizens of other countries can also apply for their national passports in a respective embassy on the US territory.
How much does a passport cost in 2023?
As of 2023, a US passport book costs $130 for adults and $100 for minors. For a US passport card, adult applicants will pay $30; for children under 16 (sixteen), passport cards cost $15.
How much does a child passport cost?
A child passport book in the US costs $100, while a passport card—$15. Remember also about an additional execution fee of $35 for each application.
How much is a passport and card?
For adults, US passport books and passport cards cost $130 and $30 respectively. While applying for both at the same time, the fee is $160 altogether.
How much is it to get a passport for the first time?
For the first adult passport book, applicants will pay $130 plus $35 execution fee.
Current US passport fees—summing up
While applying for a US passport, the fees applicants need to pay change depending on the kind of document and service they are requesting.
For the first application, you need to pay the standard US passport fee and the execution fee. For a renewal, there will be no execution fee.
It is possible to speed up your passport processing by paying extra; this expedited service will get the documents ready in 5 (five) to 7 (seven) weeks.
Before going on with the application, make sure you have the appropriate payment method on hand; depending on the office you go to, they will accept different forms.
Sources
Karolina’s passion for law, technology and photography led her to PhotoAiD S.A., where for the past 3 years she has been an expert in the implementation of passport photo compliance procedures in +80 countries around the world.
