U.S. Passport Fees, Facilities or Problems

Once you’ve completed the application, if you have to take your application to a passport facility in person:

• Locate a local passport acceptance facility - This can be a post office, some public libraries or clerk of court office. Some facilities require an appointment or have limited hours.
• Locate a regional passport agency - These are Department of State offices that can process expedited passport applications. An appointment is required. There are two options for making an appointment:  
  • Call the National Passport Information Center to make an appointment OR use the online passport appointment system. 

Find out what forms of payment the facility accepts. Remember to bring the following:

• unsigned application form
• evidence of U.S. citizenship
• photo identification
• passport photo
• passport fees

If you are a U.S. citizen living abroad and need a passport, contact a U.S. Embassy or consulate for information on how to apply for your passport. Expedited processing is not available when applying from outside the U.S.

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Fees for renewing or getting a new passport depend on several factors such as if you are just getting a passport card or if you opt for expedited service. The passport application fee and the execution fee are non-refundable. They are collected and retained by law even if a passport is not issued. 

• Use the fee chart to determine your cost.
• Learn more about estimating passport fees and about payment methods.

If you are outside the U.S. and are renewing or applying for a new passport, ask your nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate what forms of payment they are able to accept.

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The U.S. Department of State's Children's Passport Issuance Alert Program (CPIAP) notifies the parent or guardian of participating children whenever an application for a U.S. Passport is submitted in their name and verify whether the parent(s) approve this passport being issued.  You must be the legal parent or guardian of each child under the age of 18 to enroll in the program.

This program does not limit the issuance of a passport, nor does it track or restrict its use.

Contact the Department of State's Office of Children's Issues to get more information or review a list of  frequently asked questions about the program. 

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If you have changed your name due to marriage, divorce, or some other legal reason, you will need to get a new passport to reflect the name change.

Documents to Support the Name Change

• If it has been less than one year since you got your passport: You must mail form DS-5504, your current passport, a certified copy of your legal document showing the name change, and a new passport photo. Unless you request expedited service, you will not have to pay any passport or processing fees.
• If you have had your current passport for over a year: You will need to fill out form DS-82. Submit it with your current passport, a certified copy of your legal document showing the name change, and a new passport photo. Follow the procedures for renewing a passport
• If you cannot legally document your name change, you will need to go in person to a passport acceptance facility. You will need to bring the following:
  • A combination of documents known as secondary evidence showing proof of your identification.
  • Form DS-11

See Change or Correct a Passport for more information.

Passports Issued with an Error

• You can have a passport with a printing or spelling error or incorrect information on it corrected at no charge provided the passport is still valid.
• If you are traveling within two weeks, you can go in person to a passport agency (you must make an appointment by calling the National Passport Information Center or use the online passport appointment system). If not, you can mail your documents to the address on Form DS-5504.

If you live outside of the U.S., contact your nearest U.S. Embassy.

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There are a number of reasons why the U.S. Department of State can deny your U.S. Passport application or renewal, including:

• Being subject to foreign extradition requests - handing over (a person accused or convicted of a crime) to the foreign state or country in which the crime was committed.
• Certain court orders and declarations
• If a previous passport was revoked 
• Defaulted on an assistance loan from the Department of State. You must repay this loan first, or arrange to do so.
• If you owe child support.
• Minors involved in custody disputes.

If you are behind on your child support payments, you must reach agreements with the appropriate child support agency in each state where you owe more than $2,500 in child support. Your passport application or renewal will be processed once you pay the debt or make an arrangement to do so. Then the denial request is withdrawn by the state.

Note: This process takes approximately two to three weeks and the Department of State only holds denied applications for 90 days. After 90 days, a new passport application and fee payment will be required. Contact the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Child Support Enforcement if you have any questions.

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If you find a U.S. Passport in the United States, mail the passport to:

ATTN: CLASP
U.S. Department of State
CA/PPT/S/L/LE
4th Floor
1150 Passport Services PL
Dulles, VA 20189-1150

If you find a U.S. passport while abroad, return the passport to the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate.

If you find a foreign passport in the U.S., return the passport to the issuing country's embassy or consulate.

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You must report the loss or theft of an American passport immediately.

• To report your passport is lost or has been stolen, you have three options:
  • The fastest way is to use the wizard to submit form DS-64 online
  • By phone: call toll free at 1-877-487-2778 (TTY 1-888-874-7793)
  • By mail: use form DS-64 and mail it to the address on the form
• Find information on how to replace your lost or stolen passport.
  • If you are traveling within two weeks, you will need to make an appointment to replace your passport in person at a regional passport facility or center. You will need to bring proof of travel and forms DS-11 and DS-64.

Note: Once you have reported your passport lost or stolen, it is invalidated by the State Department. It cannot be used if it is found.

If you are outside of the U.S., contact your nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate to replace your lost or stolen passport.

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The U.S. Department of State revokes passports that were:

• Obtained illegally or through fraud.
• Altered or misused.
• Issued to people whose Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization was canceled.

You must surrender a revoked passport immediately.

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The U.S. Department of State cannot tell American citizens whether they may travel to certain countries, but can restrict the use of a U.S. Passport for travel there. In certain countries, you must get permission to enter or engage in certain activities. Contact the National Passport Information Center (or a U.S. Embassy or Consulate if abroad) to find out which agency grants this permission.

Traveling to Cuba

American citizens must get permission to visit Cuba, including if they travel through another country, from the Office of Foreign Assets Control in the Department of the Treasury. Contact by email at [email protected], or call 1-800-540-6322 (1-202-622-2480 from abroad) for help and information. Also, check the U.S. Embassy in Cuba website. 

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