“How Much is a US Passport in 2024?” The American Passport Fees Explained

Global adventures or international business trips often begin with an important document: a passport. However, obtaining or renewing a U.S. passport comes with certain costs that you should consider in your budget.

In this article, we will examine the various fees associated with U.S. passports and provide a clear projection of passport prices in 2024.

Table of contents

• USA first-time passport fees
• USA passport renewal fees
• Expedited passport fees
• How to pay for passport fees?
• Passport photo prices in the USA
• Cut your expenses and get your passport photo online or with a phone
• Passport card: budget-friendly alternative to a passport book. When to choose?

USA First-time Passport Fees

If you're applying for your first U.S. passport, the total cost generally includes an application and acceptance fees. The application payment goes directly to the U.S. Department of State, while the acceptance fee goes to the office where your application is received, such as the post office.

The current passport fees for a first U.S. passport in 2024 are as follows:

• Passport fees for Adults (16 and older):
  • The Passport Book includes a $130 application travel state gov passport fees plus a $35 acceptance passport fees at USPS, for a total of $165.
  • Passport Cards are slightly less expensive, with a $30 application fee and a $35 acceptance fee for $65.
  • The Passport Book & Card combination would be a $160 application fee and a $35 acceptance fee, for a total of $195.
• For Minors (under 16):
  • Passport Book has a $100 application fee and a $35 acceptance fee, totalling $135.
  • Passport Card has a $15 application fee and a $35 acceptance fee, for a total of $50.
  • The Passport Book & Card combo is priced at $115 for the application fee and $35 for the acceptance fee, for a total of $150.

It's important to note that these prices are subject to change, and additional costs may apply if you request expedited services or other special processing.

USA Passport Renewal Fees

For those with a passport that has expired or is about to expire, the renewal process tends to be a bit less expensive than the initial application. The new passport fees are:

• Adult Passport Book — $100 application fee;
• Adult Passport Card — $30 application fee;
• Adult Passport Book & Card — $160 application fee.

Please note that these fees are subject to change, and it's recommended that you check the official U.S. Department of State website for current fees.

Expedited Passport Fees

In cases where you need a passport faster than the standard processing time, but do not have an emergency that qualifies for expedited processing, the expedited application may be right for you. This is ideal if you expect to travel internationally within 3 to 5 weeks.

The expedited fee for US passport applications is $60 whether you apply by mail or in person.

How to Pay for Passport Fees?

As mentioned above, there are two separate passport application fees — the application fee to the U.S. Department of State and an acceptance fee to the accepting agency.

Methods of payment for the Application Fee to the U.S. Department of State:

• Pay by check or money order made payable to “U.S. Department of State”.
• Card payments are not accepted, and don't cancel your check or money order after you submit your application.

For the separate $35 Acceptance Fee, check with the facility of your choice for accepted payment methods. If you plan to apply at a post office, remember to make an appointment in advance at USPS.com.

Commonly accepted methods for paying passport fees at post office, as well as at other facilities, include:

• Money orders.
• Personal checks.
• Debit or credit cards.

Passport Photo Prices in the USA

The cost of a passport photo at popular USA chain stores and a post office is:

• Walgreens: A pair of photos cost $16.99.
• CVS: A pair of photos is $15.99.
• Rite Aid: A pair of photos is $8.99.
• USPS: A pair of photos is $15.00

Cut your Expenses and get your Passport Photo Online or with a Phone (Visafoto/7ID)

US passport photos require specific standards. You can use professional tools like Visafoto and 7ID to save valuable time and effort to ensure your photos meet the necessary guidelines without sacrificing quality.

Visafoto

Visafoto.com, available 24/7, offers a fast and efficient solution for creating passport photos. Simply use a digital camera or smartphone to capture your image against a white or off-white background, then upload it to the platform. In no time, you will receive an expertly edited passport photo.

The Visafoto tool can:

• Resize and crop to the appropriate size
• Edit the background
• Correct head orientation
• Format for online submission

In addition to a digital copy for online submission, you will also receive a printable version. If your photo isn't accepted, Visafoto offers a 100% money-back guarantee.

Use a selfie taken under daylight, like this one:

As the result, you get a photo for online submission an file with 4 photos for printing:

Visafoto is designed to meet a variety of specific photo size requirements and can meet various visa, passport, and ID photo needs with a 99.7% accuracy guarantee.

7ID

The 7ID App, supported by Visafoto, provides a convenient way to capture and edit photos from anywhere, anytime, using your smartphone.

Some of 7ID's efficient features include:

• Auto Resize: Your image is automatically resized to the right passport dimensions with correct head and eye positioning.
• Background color adjustment: Slide to the left to change the background to a universal color such as white, light gray, or blue, as required by the specified document rules. However, if you are using the basic 7ID editor (unlimited use), we recommend you choose a solid-color backdrop to make the background replacement more accurate.
• Printable templates: After editing your passport photo, you can easily download a print-ready template that is properly sized.
• Advanced Editing (Expert feature): This feature uses powerful algorithms to enhance image quality, streamline edits, and seamlessly remove backgrounds.
• 24/7 Support and Quality Checks (Expert feature): Around-the-clock quality checks and customer support, with a photo replacement guarantee for unsatisfactory or rejected images.

Passport Card: Budget-friendly Alternative to a Passport Book. When to Choose?

A passport card can serve as a cost-saving replacement for a traditional passport book in certain travel situations. Here are some scenarios where a passport card may be a more economical option:

• Limited travel: A passport card could offer savings if your travel is limited to nearby countries and doesn't involve international air travel.
• Cruise vacations: A passport card can be a convenient form of identification for cruisers to board and disembark the ship. Keep in mind, however, that passport cards are only valid for international land and sea travel.
• Budget considerations: For tight budgets, passport card fees are significantly cheaper than passport books at $65 for adults and $50 for minors.

However, it's important to note the passport card's limitations, including its ineligibility for international air travel. A full-featured passport book is generally a better choice for extended travel or visits to countries outside the authorized areas.

You can learn more about the U.S. passport card in this article.