How much does a passport cost?

The cost of a U.S. passport depends on the applicant's age, the type of passport (book or card), and whether it's a first-time application or renewal. For adults aged 16 and older, a first-time Passport Book costs $130 in application fees plus a $35 acceptance facility fee, totaling $165. A Passport Card alone costs $30 in application fees plus the $35 facility fee, totaling $65. Renewals for adults cost $130 for a Passport Book or $30 for a Passport Card, with no facility fee required when renewing by mail. Expedited processing adds $60 to any application, while 1-2 day shipping costs an additional $22.05.

• First-time adult Passport Book: $165 total ($130 application + $35 facility fee)
• First-time adult Passport Card: $65 total ($30 application + $35 facility fee)
• Adult renewal (Passport Book): $130 (no facility fee)
• Expedited service: Additional $60 plus optional $22.05 for faster shipping

The process varies slightly for minors under 16, with lower application fees but the same $35 facility fee for first-time applicants. Acceptance facilities like post offices, libraries, and city clerk offices collect these fees separately—one payment to the U.S. Department of State and another to the facility itself.

U.S. Passport Cost Breakdown and Application Process

Standard Passport Fees by Applicant Type

U.S. passport costs are structured around two primary factors: the applicant's age and whether they are applying for a Passport Book, Passport Card, or both. The fees are divided between the U.S. Department of State (application fee) and the acceptance facility (execution fee), which must be paid separately.

For adults aged 16 and older, the base application fee for a Passport Book is $130, while a Passport Card costs $30 ^[1]. First-time applicants must also pay a $35 acceptance facility fee, bringing the total to $165 for a Passport Book or $65 for a Passport Card ^[2][10]. Renewals by mail (using Form DS-82) do not require the $35 facility fee, so the cost remains $130 for a Passport Book or $30 for a Passport Card ^[7]. Applicants can also obtain both a Passport Book and Card for a combined fee of $160 when renewing ^[7].

For minors under 16, the application fee drops to $100 for a Passport Book and $15 for a Passport Card, but the $35 facility fee still applies for first-time applications ^[10]. This means the total cost for a minor’s first Passport Book is $135, while a Passport Card alone costs $50. The combined fee for both documents is $115 for minors ^[1].

Key cost takeaways:

• Adult first-time Passport Book: $130 (application) + $35 (facility) = $165 total
• Adult first-time Passport Card: $30 (application) + $35 (facility) = $65 total
• Adult renewal (Passport Book): $130 (no facility fee)
• Minor first-time Passport Book: $100 (application) + $35 (facility) = $135 total
• Minor first-time Passport Card: $15 (application) + $35 (facility) = $50 total

Additional Services and Expedited Processing

Beyond standard fees, applicants can pay extra for faster processing or additional services. The expedited service reduces processing time from 4-6 weeks to 2-3 weeks and costs an additional $60 per application ^[1][4]. For urgent travel, applicants can also request 1-2 day delivery of their completed passport for $22.05, though this does not accelerate the processing time itself ^[1].

Some acceptance facilities, such as libraries or post offices, offer on-site passport photo services for an additional fee. For example, the Santa Clara County Library District charges $12 for passport photos, while the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) provides this service at select locations ^[3][4]. Applicants should confirm photo services and fees with their chosen facility before arriving.

Expedited and shipping fees apply to all passport types, including renewals. For example:

• An expedited adult Passport Book renewal would cost $130 (application) + $60 (expedited) = $190 total.
• Adding 1-2 day shipping brings the total to $212.05.

Acceptance facilities may also charge for optional services like express mail. The Santa Clara County Library District, for instance, offers express mail for $27.20 to send the application to the processing center ^[4]. These fees are separate from the U.S. Department of State’s charges and vary by location.

Payment Methods and Facility-Specific Requirements

Passport fees must be paid using specific methods depending on the type of fee and the acceptance facility. The application fee (paid to the U.S. Department of State) is typically submitted via check or money order, though some facilities accept credit/debit cards for this payment ^[2][10]. The facility execution fee (paid to the acceptance agent) is usually collected in cash, check, or credit/debit card, but policies vary by location ^[10].

For example:

• The City of South San Francisco accepts credit/debit cards or cash for the $35 execution fee but requires a check or money order for the application fee ^[10].
• USPS locations may accept credit/debit cards for both fees, but applicants should verify ahead of time ^[3].

First-time applicants must submit their materials in person at an authorized facility, such as a post office, library, or city clerk’s office ^[2][9]. Renewals can often be completed by mail (using Form DS-82) if the previous passport was issued within the last 15 years and is undamaged ^[7]. Applicants should use the State Department’s fee calculator to confirm their total costs based on their specific needs ^[1].