Passport Fees – What It Costs to Get a Passport

Passport fees change from time to time. It’s not just the amount that changes. Sometimes, the U.S. government creates a new type of fee or discontinues one that has been in use. For example, the State Department created a security enhancement surcharge in November of 2005. The fee was short lived. Below are the current fees so you can more accurately calculate what is will cost to get a passport.

Execution Fee

The execution fee is paid to a passport agent at an application acceptance facility. The agent administers an oath and witnesses the signing of Form DS-11: Application for a U.S. Passport. This fee is only applicable for those who are applying for a new passport. It is not applicable to renewals, name changes, added visa pages or other services. The execution fee is currently $25.

Application Fee

This fee is for the processing of your application. The cost of this fee demands on whether you are applying for an adult passport or one for a minor. Also, the cost of a passport book is different from a passport card. The application fee for an adult passport book is $75. A passport book for a minor is $60. A passport card for an adult is $20 while one for a minor is only $10. You can request both the book and the card on one application.

Expedited Service Fee

Regular passport processing takes 4-6 weeks. If you need your passport faster, you can request expedited service. Expediting the process by mail or through a passport application acceptance facility can reduce the processing time to 2-3 weeks. Expedited passport service through a regional passport agency can be done as quickly as the same day. The expedited service fee is $60.

Private Expediting Fees

Applicants to need to get a passport fast but are unable to visit the regional agency nearest them, can authorize a private passport expediter to submit their application. Fees for this service vary but most expediters charge between $65 and $249. The $65 fee will get your passport expedited in 11 or more business days while the $249 fee will get it processed in only 1 business day.

Services With No Fees

No fee is charged to add pages to a passport or correct data errors unless you need to have the process expedited. Also, there is no charge to change a name in a passport as long as the request is made within one year of the issuance of the passport. Otherwise, you will have to request either a renewal or a new passport and pay the appropriate fees.

Additional Costs of Getting a Passport

Besides the passport fees charged by the State Department and private expediters, there is the cost of mailing the application. It is recommended that you use a secure envelope to better protect your documents from the elements. Applicants are also encouraged to use a traceable delivery method and two-way overnight delivery if they are expediting the application.

What Does It Cost to Get a Passport?

The lowest possible fee that can be paid is $20 for the regular renewal of a passport card. Same day expediting through a private expediter can cost as much as $400 to $500 or even more. What a passport cost you will depend on the type of service you need and how quickly you need to get your travel document.

Visit U.S. Passport Service Guide for step-by-step instructions on how to get a passport fast and to download U.S. passport applications.