How much is a passport? It’s a question that many people ask when they start thinking about traveling internationally. The cost of a passport can vary depending on several factors, including your age, whether you’re applying for a new passport or renewing an existing one, and how quickly you need it.
In the United States, the cost of a passport for adults (age 16 and older) is $110 for a passport book and $30 for a passport card. The passport book is required for all international air travel, while the passport card can be used for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. The passport book is more expensive because it has more pages and can be used for a wider range of travel purposes.
For children under the age of 16, the cost of a passport book is $80, while the passport card is $15. Children’s passports are valid for five years, compared to 10 years for adult passports. It’s important to note that both parents or legal guardians must consent to a child’s passport application, and both must provide ID when applying.
Renewing a passport is generally cheaper than getting a new one. The cost to renew an adult passport book is $110, while renewing a passport card is $30. The cost to renew a child’s passport book is $80, and the passport card is $15. The process for renewing a passport is usually simpler and faster than applying for a new one.
If you need your passport quickly, you can expedite the process for an additional fee. Expedited service costs $60 per application and reduces processing time to 2-3 weeks. You can also pay for overnight delivery of your new passport for an additional fee.
In addition to the basic fees outlined above, there may be additional costs associated with getting a passport. For example, if you need to take a passport photo, you may have to pay a fee to a photographer or a passport acceptance facility. Some post offices and other locations offer passport photo services for a fee.
It’s also important to factor in the cost of travel to a passport acceptance facility or passport agency to submit your application. Passport acceptance facilities are often located in post offices, libraries, and government offices, while passport agencies are usually in major cities. If you live far from one of these locations, you may need to plan for travel expenses.
In summary, the cost of a passport can vary depending on your age, whether you’re applying for a new passport or renewing an existing one, and how quickly you need it. The basic fees for a passport range from $15 for a child’s passport card to $110 for an adult’s passport book. Expedited service is available for an additional $60, and overnight delivery can be added for a fee. In addition to these costs, you may need to pay for a passport photo and factor in travel expenses to submit your application.