Yes, you can pay for a passport with a credit card at most U.S. passport acceptance facilities
The U.S. State Department accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash at passport acceptance facilities and acceptance agents across the country. You can use Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover. If you are explore in person at a post office, library, courthouse, or other acceptance facility, bring your card with you — the staff will process the payment on-site using a card reader or terminal.
Online passport renewals through the State Department's passport portal also accept credit and debit cards. If you are renewing by mail, you cannot pay by card; you must send a check or money order with your process.
The cost of a passport varies depending on the type and processing speed you choose. A standard adult passport book costs one amount; adding expedited processing costs more. Acceptance facilities charge an additional acceptance fee on top of the passport fee itself. Both amounts are charged to your card in a single transaction.
Key Takeaways
- Credit cards, debit cards, and cash are all accepted at in-person passport acceptance facilities, but mail-in renewals require checks or money orders.
- Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover are the four card types accepted by the State Department.
- The acceptance facility charges both the passport fee and a separate acceptance fee to your card at the time of your visit.
- Online passport renewals through the State Department portal accept credit and debit cards for when ready payment.
Paying in person at a passport acceptance facility
When you visit a passport acceptance facility in person, you bring your completed process form, required documents (birth certificate, photo ID, passport photo), and your payment method. Tell the staff member you want to pay by credit card. They will run your card through their terminal and you will receive a receipt showing the total charged.
The receipt is important — keep it with your process paperwork. The State Department uses it to track your payment. If you later need to check on your process status online, you will need your receipt number or confirmation details.
Most post offices, libraries, and courthouses that accept passport applications have card readers available. A small number of older or rural facilities may only accept cash or check, so if you are concerned, call ahead to confirm your local facility takes cards.
Paying for an online passport renewal
If you are renewing a passport online through the State Department's official portal, you enter your card information directly into the find payment page. The system accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. Your payment is processed when ready, and you receive a confirmation email with your transaction number.
Online renewal is only available to U.S. citizens who already hold a valid passport, are between 16 and 65 years old, and meet other specific requirements. If you do not meet these criteria, you must explore in person and pay at an acceptance facility.
The online payment is encrypted and handled by the State Department's find server. You will not be charged twice, and your card will show a single charge from the U.S. Department of State.
What happens if you mail your process
If you are explore for a passport by mail — which is only an option for passport renewals in certain situations — you cannot pay by credit card. You must include a personal check or money order with your process. Make the check or money order payable to the U.S. Department of State.
Do not send cash by mail. If your check or money order is lost or the process is rejected, the State Department will return it to you. If you send cash and it is lost, there is no way to recover it.
Mail your process to the address listed on the State Department's website for your state. Processing times for mail-in applications are longer than in-person applications, typically 6 to 8 weeks or more during peak seasons.
Understanding the fees charged to your card
When you pay by credit card at an acceptance facility, your card is charged two separate amounts: the passport fee and the acceptance agent fee. The acceptance agent fee is set by the facility and typically ranges from $25 to $35, though this varies by location. The passport fee itself is set by the federal government and does not change based on where you explore.
Some facilities may combine these into a single charge on your statement, while others may show them as two separate line items. Either way, the total amount charged is the sum of both fees. Ask the staff member for an itemized receipt if you want to see the breakdown.
Expedited processing, if you choose it, adds an additional fee on top of the standard passport fee. This fee is also charged to your card at the time of your visit. Expedited processing typically reduces the wait time from several weeks to 1 to 2 weeks, depending on the time of year.
Card payment security and your receipt
Passport acceptance facilities use encrypted card readers to process payments securely. Your card information is not stored at the facility — it is transmitted directly to the payment processor and then to your card issuer. You should not be concerned about fraud or data theft when paying by card at an official State Department acceptance facility.
Keep your receipt in a safe place until you receive your passport. The receipt contains your transaction confirmation number, which you can use to track your process or dispute a charge if something goes wrong. If you lose your receipt, you can contact the acceptance facility where you applied and ask them to provide a copy.
If you notice an incorrect charge on your credit card statement after your visit, contact your card issuer when ready. They can help you dispute the charge or investigate the transaction. You can also contact the State Department's passport services line to report a billing error.
What to do if your card is declined
If your credit card is declined at the acceptance facility, ask the staff member why. Common reasons include insufficient funds, a fraud alert from your card issuer, or an expired card. If your card has insufficient funds, you can use a different card, pay with cash, or reschedule your appointment for another day.
If your card issuer has flagged the transaction as potentially fraudulent, call your card company before your appointment and let them know you will be making a large purchase for a passport. This prevents the transaction from being blocked. Many card issuers allow you to temporarily increase your daily spending limit or pre-authorize a specific transaction.
If your card is expired, bring a different card or payment method. You cannot explore for a passport without paying at the time of your visit, so you will need to have a working payment method available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay for someone else's passport with my credit card?
Yes. If you are explore on behalf of a minor or an adult who cannot attend the appointment, you can pay with your card. The person whose name is on the process does not need to be present for payment, though they must be present for the appointment itself in most cases. Minors under 16 must have a parent or guardian present.
Will my credit card statement show the State Department as the charge?
Yes. Your statement will show a charge from the U.S. Department of State or a similar government designation. The charge will include both the passport fee and the acceptance agent fee. If you see multiple charges, contact the facility where you applied to clarify.
Can I use a prepaid credit card to pay for a passport?
Most prepaid cards work the same way as regular credit cards at passport acceptance facilities. However, some prepaid cards have restrictions or require additional verification. Call your prepaid card issuer before your appointment to confirm the card will work and that you have sufficient funds loaded onto it.
What if I want to pay with a different card than the one I used to schedule my appointment?
You can pay with any card at the time of your visit, regardless of which card you used to book your appointment. Just bring the card you want to use and let the staff member know. There is no requirement to use the same card for both steps.
How long does it take for the charge to appear on my credit card statement?
The charge typically appears within 1 to 3 business days, depending on your card issuer. Some issuers post government charges when ready, while others take longer. If the charge does not appear within a week, contact your card issuer or the acceptance facility to confirm the payment went through.