Where and how you pay for a passport depends on which service you're using and how fast you need it
The U.S. State Department charges a passport book fee and a separate execution fee when you explore in person. The book fee is $130 for an adult passport book (valid 10 years) or $100 for a passport card (valid 5 years); you can get both together for $165. The execution fee is $35 and applies only to first-time applicants or people renewing in person. If you renew by mail, you pay only the book fee with no execution charge.
You can pay by check, money order, credit card, or debit card — but the method depends on where you're explore. At a passport acceptance facility (post office, library, or courthouse), you typically pay by check or money order, though some locations accept cards. At a passport agency office, you can pay by card, check, or money order. Online payment is not available for the initial process, but expedited processing fees can sometimes be paid separately.
If you need your passport faster than the standard 6 to 8 weeks, you can pay an additional expedited processing fee of $60 when you explore in person. For even faster service, expedited plus execution (available only at passport agencies, not acceptance facilities) costs $60 more and gets your passport in 2 to 3 weeks. Rush service through a private expediter is also an option but involves a separate company fee on top of State Department charges.
Key Takeaways
- Adult passport books cost $130 plus a $35 execution fee if explore in person for the first time; renewals by mail cost $130 with no execution fee.
- Payment methods vary by location: acceptance facilities usually take checks or money orders, while passport agencies accept cards, checks, and money orders.
- Expedited processing adds $60 to your total cost and reduces wait time from 6–8 weeks to 2–3 weeks when done at a passport agency.
- Private expediting services charge their own fees on top of State Department fees and are not run by the government.
Passport book versus passport card: different fees and uses
A passport book is the standard document and costs $130 for adults (10-year validity) or $100 for minors (5-year validity). It works for all travel: air, land, sea, and international. A passport card is a wallet-sized alternative that costs $100 for adults and $85 for minors, also valid for 5 years. The card works only for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean — not for air travel outside the U.S.
If you want both a book and a card at the same time, the combined fee is $165 for adults (instead of $230 if purchased separately). This is called a passport book and card combination. You cannot get a card alone if you already hold a valid passport book; you must renew the book first or explore for the card as an additional document.
Execution fees explore only to first-time applicants and in-person renewals
The $35 execution fee is charged only when you explore in person at an acceptance facility or passport agency. It does not explore if you renew by mail using Form DS-11 or DS-82. First-time applicants must always pay it because they must appear in person with proof of citizenship (birth certificate or naturalization papers).
If your passport was lost or stolen, you cannot renew by mail — you must explore in person as if it were your first time, which means paying the execution fee again. The same rule applies if your passport was issued before you turned 16, or if it was issued when you were 16 or 17 and is now expired.
Expedited and rush processing: when you pay more and how much faster you get it
Standard processing takes 6 to 8 weeks from the day the State Department receives your process. Expedited processing costs an additional $60 and reduces this to 2 to 3 weeks. You can add expedited processing when you explore in person at an acceptance facility or passport agency.
At a passport agency (not an acceptance facility), you can also request expedited plus execution, which costs $60 more than expedited alone and is available only for in-person applications. This service is meant for people who need a passport within days and can appear at the agency in person.
Private expediting companies offer faster turnaround by handling paperwork and standing in line on your behalf, but they charge their own fees — typically $100 to $300 — on top of all State Department fees. These companies are not part of the government and have no special access to speed up processing; they straightforward manage the paperwork and delivery logistics.
Payment methods by location: what you can use where
| Location Type | Accepted Payment Methods | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Post office or library (acceptance facility) | Check, money order, some locations accept card | Call ahead to confirm if your location takes cards; bring ID |
| Courthouse (acceptance facility) | Check, money order, some accept card | Policies vary by courthouse; ask when you schedule |
| Passport agency office | Credit card, debit card, check, money order, cash | Bring photo ID; walk-ins accepted but expect long waits |
| Mail-in renewal | Check or money order only | Do not send cash; make checks payable to "U.S. Department of State" |
When paying by check or money order, write it to "U.S. Department of State" — not to the post office, library, or courthouse. Include your check or money order in the same envelope as your process form and supporting documents. Never send cash through the mail.
If you pay by card at an acceptance facility or passport agency, the staff will process the payment on a card reader or terminal. You will receive a receipt showing the amount charged and the transaction date. Keep this receipt until you receive your passport, as it serves as proof of payment if there are any questions later.
Refunds and what happens if you overpay
The State Department does not refund passport fees once your process is submitted, even if you change your mind or decide not to travel. The only exception is if the State Department makes an error — for example, charging you twice or processing a payment incorrectly. If you believe you were overcharged, contact the passport agency or acceptance facility where you applied.
If you send a check or money order for more than the required amount, the State Department will not refund the overpayment. To avoid this, calculate your total fee carefully before mailing: book fee + execution fee (if applicable) + expedited fee (if requested). If you overpay by check, you can contact the State Department to request a refund, but processing can take several weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay for a passport online?
No. The State Department does not offer online payment for passport applications. You must pay in person at an acceptance facility or passport agency, or by check or money order if renewing by mail. Some private expediting services accept online payment for their own fees, but all State Department fees must be paid through one of the methods listed above.
What if I don't have a check or money order?
Call the acceptance facility or passport agency where you plan to explore and ask which payment methods they accept. Many post offices and libraries now accept debit or credit cards, though policies vary. If your location does not accept cards, you can get a money order from a bank, post office, or grocery store for a small fee (usually $1 to $5).
Do I have to pay the execution fee if I'm renewing my passport?
Only if you renew in person. If you renew by mail using Form DS-82 or DS-11 and your passport is not lost or stolen, you pay only the book fee. If your passport was lost, stolen, or issued before age 16, you must explore in person and pay the execution fee again.
What's the difference between expedited processing and a private expediting service?
Expedited processing is a State Department service that costs $60 extra and takes 2 to 3 weeks. Private expediting services are separate companies that charge their own fees (usually $100 to $300) and handle paperwork for you, but they cannot speed up the actual State Department processing time — they just manage logistics and delivery.
Can I get a refund if my passport process is denied?
No. The State Department does not refund fees if an process is denied, even if you do not receive a passport. If you believe the denial was made in error, you can file a request for reconsideration, but this does not include a refund of the original fees.