Obtaining a U.S. passport is an exciting step towards international travel, but the question on everyone’s mind is: “How much is a passport?” In 2024, U.S. passport fees vary depending on a few factors, including the type of passport you require and how quickly you need it.
How Much Is a Passport? Understanding the Basics
Before diving into the specifics, let’s get a broad overview of passport costs. The standard fee for a new adult passport book is $130. But if you are in a rush and need it expedited, it will cost you $190. Children’s passport books are a bit less, standing at $100 for standard processing.
Passport cards, which are suitable for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda, are also available at a lower cost.
New Adult Passport Fees
If you are a first-time adult applicant and unsure of how much it costs to get a passport, you will need to know the ins and outs of the fees. The standard fee for an adult passport book is $130 with an 8-week processing time. If you need it sooner, the expedited service, which takes about 4-6 weeks, will cost $190.
There is also a mandatory acceptance agent fee of $35, which is paid separately.
Total Cost Breakdown
When opting for standard processing, your total, including the acceptance agent fee, comes to $165. For the expedited option, the total jumps to $225. If you decide to get both the passport book and card, you will pay $160 for standard service or $220 for expedited, plus the $35 acceptance agent fee, making the total $195 or $255, respectively.
If you want both the passport book and card, the costs are $160 for standard and $220 for expedited service. However, the total cost of renewing your passport book will be either $130 for standard processing or $190 if expedited.
Should you choose to renew both the book and card, it will be either $160 or $220, depending on the speed of processing you choose.
Fees for Minor Passports
Children under 16 need a minor passport, and the costs are slightly lower. A minor passport book’s standard fee is $100, while the expedited option is $160.
For a minor’s passport book, the total standard fee is $135, and the expedited total is $195, including the acceptance agent fee. If you are only getting the minor passport card, it is a flat rate of $50, including the agent fee. There is no expedited service available for the card.
How Much Is a Passport?
So, how much is a passport in total? For adults, you are looking at a range from $65 for just the card to $255 for both the book and card expedited. For renewals, it is simpler, with costs ranging from $130 to $220. For children, the total cost ranges from $50 for the card to $195 for an expedited book.
Knowing the breakdown of costs can help you budget for your passport without any last-minute surprises. Remember to consider the type of passport you need, the processing time, and whether you are applying for the first time or renewing.