How Much Does a Passport Cost?
New passport books cost $165 for adults and $135 for children, but renewing is slightly cheaper.
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Contributing Editor If you’re getting a passport, expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $195.
The amount that you’ll pay depends on your age, the type of passport you're getting and whether you've had a passport before. For anyone age 16 or older applying for a passport for the first time, a new passport card will cost $65 and a passport book will cost $165. If you get them both, it'll cost $195.
A passport card grants you access over land and select sea borders but does not allow for international air travel.
For children under the age of 16, the cost is slightly lower for a new passport. A passport card for children costs $50 and a passport book costs $135. To get both a passport book and card for a child, it'll cost $150.
Types of passport applications
U.S. passport fees vary based on the type of application you’re submitting. Here’s a breakdown of the different passport applications you can do:
- Adult (over 16) applying for the first time. You can opt to get a passport book, a passport card or both book and card. Costs range from $65 to $195, including an acceptance fee.
- Adult (over 16) renewing your passport. You can renew your passport book, card or opt for both. You won’t pay an acceptance fee, so costs are lower. They run from $30 to $160.
- Child (under 16) applying for a passport. Children are not eligible to renew passports; instead, they must reapply every five years. Costs range from $50 to $150, including an acceptance fee.
How much does it cost to renew a passport?
The passport renewal cost varies based on what you’re getting. A passport book costs $130 by itself, while renewing a passport card costs just $30. Opting for both will run you $160.
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The cost of passport changes
How much are passport changes? You don’t need a new passport if you just need to make a change. Depending on the reason for your change, it may cost you nothing to get an alteration.
- Correcting a data error: This is free.
- Changing your name: Fees may vary depending on the situation, so use the U.S Department of State's built-in fee calculator. When the passport was issued and when the name changed happened will affect the cost.
» Learn more: 4 times when you should renew your passport
Getting an expedited passport
Applying for or renewing a passport can take a lot of time, especially when government delays cause a backlog. If you need a passport quickly, it’s possible to apply for expedited service. The current wait time to get your passport is as follows:
- Routine processing: Four to six weeks.
- Expedited processing: Two to three weeks.
Note that mailing times are not included in the processing time and it can take up to two weeks to get to the processing center and two more weeks to get back to you.
There are additional fees for expedited passport processing. If you need a passport in an emergency, you can make an appointment at a passport agency, though these are limited and not guaranteed.
Here are the costs for rushing your passport:
- Expedited service. The cost for expedited service is $60 and includes a reduced processing time.
- One- to two-day delivery. This runs an additional $22.05 and ensures that once processed, your passport book is sent back quickly.
Using a passport agency for urgent travel
If you have urgent travel, you can go to a passport agency or passport center. There is a $60 fee for expedited service.
However, to take advantage of this in-person agency service, you must have international travel scheduled within the next 14 days. You must also provide proof of the reason for this travel.
🤓 Nerdy Tip
There is a website for scheduling appointments for U.S. passport agencies. The phone number to make an urgent appointment at a passport agency is 877-487-2778. The office is open seven days a week to make appointments. If you have life-or-death circumstances and need to travel within the next three business days, your appointment will be prioritized.
Costs of using a passport courier
Finally, there are passport courier or expeditor companies that work on your behalf to get you an expedited passport.
These are not operated by the U.S. government and cannot get your passport to you any faster, but they do provide aid with completing the requirements for getting a new passport.
However, using these courier services can be very expensive. One service we checked charges $119 for a six-week turnaround and $479 to get your passport back in two to four business days. These fees are on top of the standard fees for your passport. In circumstances where you have very urgent travel, this can cost you hundreds more than just doing it yourself.
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