Before Booking Those Travel Plans, Let's Discuss: How Much Does a Passport Cost?
- The cost of a passport varies depending on the type, with fees ranging from $30 to $160 for first-time applicants and $15 to $130 for renewals.
Blow the dust off the old suitcase because it's time to travel
! But before researching how much that international flight is going to cost, you need to make sure your passport hasn't expired since the last time you traveled. And if it has, you need to know: How much does a passport cost?
Whether you're planning your next trip to one of the most beautiful places in the world
or checking out one of the hottest food and wine festivals
, you're going to want to make sure your passport is in order before hopping on an international flight.
Parade
consulted Patricia Wittenberg, travel specialist and travel agency owner at 4 Star Traveler
, to get the lowdown on passports. Keep reading for answers to frequently asked questions about passports and what you need to do before partaking in an international adventure.
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How Much Does a Passport Cost?
If you're wondering what a passport costs, it's first worth noting that there are a few different kinds of passports, each with its own individual price point. The current United States passport fees in 2025 are as follows:
First-Time Passport Costs
-
First Time Adult Passport Book:$130 application fee, $35 execution fee
-
First Time Adult Passport Card:$30 application fee, $35 execution fee
-
First Time Adult Passport Book & Card:$160 application fee, $35 execution fee
-
First Time Adult Passport Card(currently have a valid passport book): $30 application fee, no executive fee
Passport Renewal Costs
-
Renewal Adult Passport Book:$130 application fee
-
Renewal Adult Passport Card:$30 application fee
-
Renewal Adult Passport Book & Card:$160 application fee
Child Passport Costs (Under 16)
-
First Time Minor Passport Book:$100 application fee, $35 execution fee
-
First Time Minor Passport Card:$15 application fee, $35 execution fee
-
First Time Minor Passport Book & Card:$115 application fee, $35 execution fee
Additional Passport Fees
-
Optional Expedite Fee:$60 per application
-
Optional 1-2 Day Delivery Fee:$21.36 (not valid for passport cards)
-
File Search Fee:$150 (necessary when the applicant is unable to present evidence of U.S. citizenship and must be requested by Forms DS-11).
Wittenberg adds, "The passport application fee and execution fee are non-refundable. Both fees are collected and retained by law even if a passport is not issued. However, note that you may be able to request a refund of the $60 Expedite Fee in the event the expedited service was not received."
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Have Passport Prices Gone Up With Inflation?
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You've probably heard the word " inflation
" a time or two (or a thousand) this year and may be wondering if inflation also affects the prices of passports. After all, inflation significantly impacts gas prices
, mortgages
and just about everything else.
As you may have guessed, inflation affects passport prices, too. Passport prices increased by $20 per person at the end of 2021, Wittenberg says. And last year, in 2024, the execution fee for a first-time adult passport book increased to $35. This year, the optional 1-2 day delivery fee increased slightly from $19.53 to $21.36.
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How Long Does It Take To Get a Passport?
In a rush? One of the most anxious parts about getting a passport is the question of whether you'll get it in time. But Wittenberg explains that you can check the U.S. Department of State website to see the current timeframes.
As of March 6, 2025, the U.S. Department of State
reported that routine processing is expected to take 4-6 weeks, while expedited processing is expected to take 2-3 weeks.
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"Although passport services had been delayed due to COVID-19, time frames seem to be improving and it's possible you may receive your passports before the listed time frame," Wittenberg adds. "If you are traveling in the near future, it is important to plan for the worst-case scenario."
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If you need to expedite your passport, you can always pay the Expedite Fee or make an appointment to apply for an Urgent Passport. This will require you to provide proof of international travel within the next 14 days.
There is also the option of applying for a Life or Death Emergency Passport
within 72 hours. You'll also need to show proof of emergency and international travel. For an appointment, the number to call is 1-877-487-2778 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. EST Monday through Friday. They are closed on weekends and federal holidays.
You may be eligible to apply in person at a passport agency if you are traveling soon. Visit Get My Passport Fast
to see if you qualify.
What Documents Do You Need for a U.S. Passport?
According to Wittenberg, in order to get a passport, you will need to submit the following:
-
Completed application Form DS-11 if applying for your first passport or DS-82 for renewal.
-
Citizenship evidence such as a Valid U.S. passport (may be expired), a raised seal U.S. Birth Certificate, a Consular Report or Certification of Birth Abroad, a Certificate of Naturalization or a Certificate of Citizenship.
-
Photocopy of current ID such as U.S. passport, valid Driver's License, Certificate of Naturalization, Certificate of Citizenship, Government Employee ID, U.S. Military ID and U.S. Permanent Resident Card. Learner's Permit, Temporary Driver's License or Non-Driver ID may require additional documentation
-
Photo - 2 x 2" color photo taken within the last 6 months, clear image, full-face view, no eyeglasses, plain white or off-white background. Many places offer passport photo services, such as CVS, Walgreens, Target, Walmart or UPS Stores.
-
Fees - Various fees are listed above; you can also use the fee calculator online.
While most people can apply for (or renew) their U.S. passport online, you must apply in personif at least one of the following is true:
-
You are applying for your first U.S. passport
-
You are under the age of 16
-
Your previous U.S. passport was issued when you were under the age of 16
-
Your previous U.S. passport was lost, stolen or damaged
-
Your previous U.S. passport was issued more than 15 years ago
How Long Is a Passport Valid?
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How long a passport is valid for actually depends partly on your age. "If you were age 16 or older when your passport was issued, your passport is valid for 10 years," Wittenberg explains. "If you were under 16 when your passport was issued, your passport is valid for five years."
How Far in Advance Should I Renew My Passport?
It can be tricky to keep track of, but it's important to keep your passport up to date, especially if you travel a lot. If you show up at an airport for an international flight with an expired passport, spoiler alert—you're not getting on the plane. But what's perhaps even more crucial to take note of is how other countries will look at your passport.
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"It is important to note that most countries require that a traveler's U.S. passport be valid for another six months after their final day of international travel," Wittenberg says. "You should plan to renew your passport when you get within one year of the expiration date."
Can I Use a Passport Card for International Travel?
A passport card is a separate entity from a passport book; however, it cannot be used for the same purposes while traveling. According to the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs
, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) accepts the passport card as ID for domestic flights only—with a few exceptions.
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"No, a passport card cannot be used for international air travel," Wittenberg states. "A passport card may be used for domestic air travel or entering the United States at the land border crossings and sea ports of entry from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda."
Sources
-
Patricia Wittenberg, travel specialist and travel agency owner at 4 Star Traveler
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