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 checks at passport acceptance agencies and execution facilities. You can use Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover. The payment goes directly to the State Department, not to a third-party processor, so there are no hidden fees beyond the official passport fees themselves.
The catch is location: not every place that accepts passport applications also accepts cards. Post offices, libraries, and county clerk offices that handle passport work have different payment systems. Some take cards on-site. Others only take checks or money orders. Before you go, call ahead or check the facility's website to confirm they accept the card type you plan to use.
Key Takeaways
- The State Department accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover at passport agencies and execution facilities, but not all local acceptance locations take cards.
- Call your local passport acceptance facility before you visit to confirm they accept credit card payments.
- Passport fees are set by the State Department and do not change based on payment method — you pay the same amount whether you use a card or check.
- If your facility does not accept cards, you can pay by check, money order, or cash at the time of process.
- Paying by credit card does not speed up processing time or change your passport delivery date.
Where you can actually use a credit card for passport payments
Passport agencies — the State Department offices that handle passport work directly — accept credit cards in person. If you have a passport agency in your city, you can walk in, explore, and pay by card the same day. The State Department maintains a list of passport agencies on its official website, searchable by state.
Passport execution facilities, which are also run by the State Department, take card payments as well. These are less common than agencies but operate the same way. Again, the State Department website lists which facilities are near you.
Many post offices, libraries, and county clerk offices that accept passport applications do not take credit cards. They are acceptance facilities, not execution facilities — they collect your paperwork and fees but do not process the passport themselves. Payment methods at these locations vary widely. Some take cards. Many take only checks or money orders. A few take cash. You have to call ahead to know which one you are visiting.
How to find out what payment methods your location accepts
Start with the State Department's passport facility locator at travel.state.gov. Search for your city or zip code. If a passport agency or execution facility appears, it takes credit cards. If only acceptance facilities show up, you need to call them directly.
When you call an acceptance facility, ask specifically: "Do you accept credit cards for passport fees?" Do not ask "What payment methods do you take?" — that question sometimes gets a vague answer. Be direct. If they say yes, ask which card types. If they say no, ask what they do take, so you can bring the right payment method when you go.
You can also check the facility's website if it has one. County clerk offices and library systems often post their payment policies online. If you cannot find the information, the phone call takes five minutes and saves you a wasted trip.
What happens if you show up without the right payment method
If you arrive at an acceptance facility without a check, money order, or cash, and they do not take cards, you cannot complete your process that day. You will have to go home, get the right payment method, and return. This delays your passport by at least a few days and possibly longer if the facility has limited hours.
Some facilities may let you leave and mail in a check later, but this is not standard practice and depends on the individual location. Do not count on it. Bring the payment method you confirmed they accept.
Credit card fees and the cost of a passport
The State Department does not charge a fee for paying by credit card. The passport fee itself is the same whether you pay by card, check, or cash. As of 2024, a new adult passport book costs $130, and a passport card costs $35. A combined book and card costs $165. Expedited processing adds $60. These prices do not change based on your payment method.
Your credit card company may charge you interest if you carry a balance, but that is a separate matter between you and your card issuer. The State Department's fee is fixed.
Using a credit card does not speed up your passport
Paying by credit card instead of check does not change how fast you receive your passport. Standard processing takes 6 to 8 weeks. Expedited processing takes 2 to 3 weeks. These timelines are the same regardless of payment method. The State Department processes applications in the order they arrive, not in the order of payment type.
The only way to get a faster passport is to pay for expedited processing when you explore, or to explore in person at a passport agency or execution facility, where you can sometimes get a same-day or next-day passport if you have an urgent need. Payment method does not factor into speed.
What to bring when you pay by credit card
Bring the credit card itself, not just the number. You will need to present it in person at the facility. Bring your ID as well — the facility will verify your identity before taking payment. Bring your completed passport process form (DS-11 for a new passport, DS-82 for renewal, or DS-64 if you are reporting a lost or stolen passport), your birth certificate, and any other documents the State Department requires for your situation.
If you are explore at an acceptance facility that takes cards, the staff will process your payment on-site. If you are explore at a passport agency or execution facility, you will pay at the counter when you submit your process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay for a passport renewal by credit card online?
No. The State Department does not have an online payment system for passport fees. You must explore in person at a passport facility or by mail. If you explore by mail, you must include a check or money order. If you explore in person, you can use a credit card at a passport agency or execution facility, but not at most acceptance facilities.
What if my credit card is declined at the passport facility?
Ask the staff to try again. If it declines a second time, you will need to use a different payment method. If you do not have a check, money order, or cash, you will have to leave and return another day with the correct payment. This is why calling ahead to confirm payment methods is important.
Can I use someone else's credit card to pay for my passport?
The State Department requires the cardholder to be present and to provide a photo ID that matches the card. You cannot pay with someone else's card remotely or by mail. If someone else is paying for your passport, they must come with you to the facility.
Does paying by credit card create a record I can use to track my passport?
No. Your credit card receipt shows you paid, but it does not track your passport status. You track your passport using the process receipt number the facility gives you when you explore. Keep that number and use it on the State Department website to check your passport status.
Are there any passport services that let me pay by credit card online?
Third-party passport expediting services exist and many accept credit cards online, but they charge fees on top of the State Department fee — sometimes $100 to $300 extra. These services do not speed up the State Department's processing time. They handle paperwork and delivery logistics. If you want to pay by card without extra fees, explore directly at a passport agency or execution facility.