How to Pay for a U.S. Passport and What Each Option Costs
Where and how to pay for a passport
You pay for a passport at the same place you submit your application — either a passport acceptance facility (usually a post office, library, or courthouse), a passport agency office, or by mail. The payment method depends on where you apply. At an in-person location, you can pay by cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card. By mail, you must send a check or money order; the State Department does not accept credit cards through the mail.
The total cost includes two separate fees: the application fee and the execution fee. The application fee covers the passport book itself. The execution fee is charged only the first time you apply or when you renew in person (not by mail). Both fees are set by the federal government and do not vary by location, though some acceptance facilities charge an additional service fee for processing your paperwork.
You cannot pay online before you arrive. Payment happens during your appointment or is included with your mailed application. If you are renewing by mail and your passport is not damaged or lost, you pay only the application fee, not the execution fee.
Key Takeaways
- The application fee and execution fee are set by the federal government; check the State Department website for current amounts, as they change periodically.
- At an acceptance facility or passport agency, you can pay by cash, check, money order, or card; by mail, only checks or money orders are accepted.
- Some post offices and libraries add their own service fee on top of the State Department fees, so ask before you submit your application.
- Expedited processing (faster turnaround) costs extra and must be paid at the same time as your application and execution fees.
- If you pay by check or money order and it bounces or is rejected, your application will be delayed or denied.
Passport fees and what they cover
The application fee pays for the passport book and is the same whether you apply in person or by mail. This fee does not change based on how quickly you need the passport. The execution fee is charged only when you apply in person for the first time or renew in person; it covers the official processing of your application at that location. If you renew by mail, you do not pay an execution fee.
Passport cards (the wallet-sized version) have a lower application fee than books, but the execution fee is the same. If you want both a book and a card, you pay both application fees plus one execution fee.
Expedited processing costs extra and speeds up the review of your application. Standard processing takes several weeks; expedited takes less time but costs more. You must request and pay for expedited service when you submit your application — you cannot add it later. Expedited service is not available for passport renewals by mail.
Payment methods and what to do if payment fails
At a passport acceptance facility or agency office, bring the exact payment method you plan to use. If you pay by card, the facility will run it on the spot. If you pay by check or money order, write it out to "U.S. Department of State." Do not sign a check until you are at the facility and ready to submit it.
If you are mailing your application, include your check or money order in the same envelope as your forms and documents. Write your name and date of birth on the back of the check. If your check bounces or the money order is invalid, the State Department will return your entire application without processing it. You will have to resubmit everything, including a new payment.
If you pay by card and the transaction is declined, ask the facility staff whether you can try a different card or switch to another payment method. Some facilities will hold your application briefly while you resolve the payment issue; others will not. Call ahead to ask your specific location's policy.
Service fees charged by acceptance facilities
The State Department fees are the same everywhere, but many post offices, libraries, and courthouses charge an additional service fee for accepting and processing your application. This fee goes to the facility, not to the State Department. Service fees vary widely — some locations charge nothing, others charge $10 to $35 or more.
The facility must tell you the service fee before you submit your application. If you are applying by mail, call or visit the facility's website to find out whether they charge a service fee and how much it is. If you are applying in person, ask at the desk before you hand over your documents. You can choose to apply at a different facility if the fee is too high, though this may mean traveling farther.
Paying for expedited or rush processing
Expedited processing costs extra and is available only when you apply in person or renew by mail. You must pay the expedited fee at the same time as your application and execution fees. The expedited fee is set by the State Department and does not vary by location.
Rush processing is even faster than expedited but is available only at passport agency offices (not at post offices or libraries), and only if you have an urgent travel need. Rush processing also costs extra. You must pay for rush service in person at a passport agency office; it is not available by mail.
If you need your passport very quickly and cannot afford the rush fee, some passport agencies offer same-day or next-day service for people with documented emergencies. Call the agency office in your area to ask what proof of emergency they require and whether the service is currently available.
What happens after you pay
Once you submit your payment and application, you receive a receipt. Keep this receipt — it shows your application was received and paid for. The receipt includes a tracking number you can use to check the status of your passport online through the State Department website.
Processing time starts the day the State Department receives your application, not the day you submitted it at the facility. If you applied in person, mail delivery adds a few days. If you applied by mail, the time from when you mailed it to when the State Department receives it counts toward your processing time.
If your passport is approved, the State Department will mail it to the address you provided on your application. If there is a problem with your application or payment, the State Department will contact you by mail. Check your mailbox regularly and respond quickly if they ask for more information or a corrected payment.
Replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged passport
If your passport is lost, stolen, or damaged, you must apply for a replacement and pay the full application and execution fees again (or just the application fee if you renew by mail). You cannot simply pay a replacement fee — you must submit a new application as if you were applying for the first time.
If your passport was stolen, you should also report it to the State Department and to local police. The State Department will invalidate the old passport so it cannot be used. Reporting does not reduce the fee for your replacement passport, but it protects you if someone tries to use the stolen passport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay for a passport online?
No. You cannot pay online before your appointment. Payment happens in person at the facility or is included with your mailed application. Some passport agencies have websites where you can schedule an appointment, but payment is not part of that process.
What if I do not have a check or money order and want to apply by mail?
You must send a check or money order by mail — credit cards are not accepted for mail applications. You can buy a money order at a post office, bank, grocery store, or check-cashing service. Money orders cost a small fee (usually $1 to $5) but are safer than mailing cash or a personal check.
Do I have to pay the service fee if I apply at a post office?
It depends on the post office. Some do not charge a service fee; others do. You can call ahead or visit the post office website to find out. If the fee is too high, you can apply at a library or courthouse instead, which may charge less or nothing.
What if I need my passport in less than a week?
Call the passport agency office in your area and ask about rush or same-day service. These options cost extra and require proof of urgent travel need (such as a flight confirmation or death in the family). Not all agencies offer same-day service, and availability changes based on current demand.
Can I get a refund if I change my mind about applying?
If you have not yet submitted your application, you can keep your payment and use it toward a future application. If you have already submitted it and want to cancel, contact the State Department to ask about a refund. Refunds are not automatic and depend on how far along your application is in processing.