How much does it cost to get a passport?

If you’ve got international travel in your future, getting a passport may be on your to-do list. But how much does it cost to get a passport?

Check out this guide to learn about pricing, how to get a first-time passport, how to renew a passport and more.

What you’ll learn:

• When you travel, you may need either a passport book or passport card. 
• For people 16 and over, a first-time passport book is $165; renewing a passport book is $130.
• For people 16 and over, a first-time passport card is $65; renewing a passport card is $30.
• Standard processing time for a passport is 6-8 weeks, not including mailing time. You may be able to get an expedited passport in 2-3 weeks for $60 plus possible additional fees.

When you get a passport, it can take the form of a book or a card.  Learn a little about the differences, including how much they cost and other passport-related fees you might encounter.

A passport book is valid for traveling internationally by land, sea or air. 

For people 16 and over, a first-time passport book costs $165. That includes a $130 application fee plus a $35 acceptance fee.

A passport card is valid for entering the U.S. at land border crossings and seaports of entry from Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico.

For people 16 and over, a first-time passport card costs $65. That includes a $30 application fee plus a $35 acceptance fee. 

There’s also an option to bundle a first-time passport book and card together for $195. That includes a $160 application fee plus a $35 acceptance fee. 

Passport books and passport cards cost less for kids under 16. 

A first-time passport book costs $135, which includes a $100 application fee and a $35 acceptance fee. A first-time passport card costs $50, which includes a $15 application fee and a $35 acceptance fee. 

Bundling a first-time passport book and card together will cost $150. That includes a $115 application fee plus a $35 acceptance fee. 

For adults 16 and over, passport books and cards are valid for 10 years. The cost for renewing a book or card is the same as applying for one the first time, except there’s no $35 acceptance fee.

For children under 16, passport books and cards are valid for 5 years. You can’t renew a minor passport book or card once it expires. Instead, you have to apply again. That means paying the application fee, which is $100 for a passport book, $50 for a card or $150 for both. A $35 acceptance fee also applies.

A routine passport application can take 6-8 weeks to complete. But if you’re in a rush to get your passport, you may be able to have your application expedited. 

The U.S. Department of State offers expedited processing of passports for an additional $60 fee. Expediting reduces the processing time to about 2-3 weeks. For delivery in 1-2 days, applicants can also pay an extra $19.53. 

Now that you’ve read more about fees, here’s a quick side-by-side comparison of costs for a new passport.

Here are the general steps for getting a first-time passport as well as renewing a passport, according to the State Department.

• Visit the State Department website to confirm that you’re eligible for a passport.
• Fill out your form online and print it out.
• Provide evidence that you’re a U.S. citizen.
• Provide a photo ID.
• Calculate the fees you’ll owe.
• Find a passport acceptance facility for applying in person.

• Visit the State Department website to confirm that you’re eligible for a renewal. 
• Fill out your form online and print it out.
• Provide your most recent passport.
• Provide additional documents if you’re changing your name.
• Provide a photo.
• Calculate the fees you’ll owe.
• Submit your application by mail.

Once you’re ready to submit your application, you’ll have to pay for your passport. If you go to a passport acceptance facility, you’ll be required to pay with a check or money order. According to the State Department, acceptance facilities may charge a separate $35 fee in certain circumstances.

You can also pay for your application at a passport agency, which is a specialized passport application center. In general, your options for paying at an agency include credit cards, checks, money orders and cash. 

At times, travelers can find themselves in emergency circumstances that require a passport right away. Passport agencies may be able to help applicants receive their passports on an expedited basis. This service is typically only available in urgent situations like life-or-death circumstances.

A passport is essential if you’re a U.S. citizen who wants to travel internationally. Now that you’ve read about the cost of getting a passport, what’s next? 

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