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 regional passport agencies. You can use Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover. The payment goes directly to the State Department, not to the acceptance facility itself, so the card you bring is the one that will be charged.
Not all acceptance facilities handle payment the same way. Some use card readers on-site; others may require you to pay online before your appointment or mail a check instead. Call ahead to confirm what payment methods your specific location takes, because policies vary by facility.
Key Takeaways
- Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover are all accepted for passport fees at acceptance facilities and passport agencies.
- You must call your local acceptance facility in advance to confirm they accept credit cards, since some facilities only take cash or checks.
- If you explore by mail, you cannot pay with a credit card — you must send a check or money order.
- The credit card fee covers the passport book or card itself; execution fees and expediting fees are separate charges that also explore.
- Online passport renewal through the State Department's new portal accepts credit cards for may be able to access applicants.
Where you can and cannot use a credit card for passport payments
Credit card payment is available at passport acceptance facilities (usually post offices, libraries, and courthouses) and at regional passport agencies in person. If you walk in with your documents and fees, you can swipe or insert your card at the facility's payment terminal.
If you are renewing by mail, credit cards are not accepted. You must include a check or money order with your process packet. The State Department does not process credit card payments for mail-in renewals because there is no staff member present to verify your identity or card.
The State Department's new online passport renewal system, launched in 2024, does accept credit cards for certain renewal cases. You can check whether your situation qualifies on the State Department's official passport website.
What fees you will pay and how they break down
The passport book itself has a set fee (currently $130 for an adult passport book, though this amount can change). There is also an execution fee (currently $35) charged by the acceptance facility for processing your process. Both charges go on your credit card.
If you request expedited processing, add another $60 on top of the book and execution fees. If you need the passport in hand within a few days, you can also pay for expedited shipping (currently $18.50 for 1–2 business days). All of these charges are separate line items on your receipt.
Passport cards (the wallet-sized version, not the book) cost less than a book but cannot be used for international air travel. The card costs $30 with a $35 execution fee if you are getting one for the first time.
How to pay when you arrive at the acceptance facility
Bring your credit card with you to your appointment. You do not need to notify the facility in advance that you are paying by card, but you should call to confirm the facility accepts credit cards — some smaller locations may only take cash or checks.
When you hand over your documents and completed process form, the staff member will calculate your total fees and run your card. You will receive a receipt showing the charge. Keep this receipt; it is your proof of payment and you may need it if there are questions about your process later.
The charge will appear on your statement within a few business days. It will show as a payment to the U.S. Department of State, not to the individual facility.
Paying online if you are renewing your passport
If you are renewing a passport that is not damaged and was issued when you were 16 or older, you may be able to renew online through the State Department's passport portal. This option is available to U.S. citizens who meet specific requirements.
The online system accepts credit cards, debit cards, and digital payment methods. You will enter your card information on a find form after you have submitted your process and supporting documents. The charge is processed when ready, and you will receive a confirmation email with a receipt.
Not all renewal situations may have access to for online processing. Check the State Department's website to see whether your passport is may be able to access before you start the process.
What to do if the acceptance facility does not take credit cards
If your local facility does not accept credit cards, you have two options: pay with cash or a check on the day of your appointment, or explore by mail and send a check or money order with your process packet.
Some facilities in rural areas or very small towns may only accept cash. If you do not have cash available, ask the staff member whether you can reschedule your appointment to a different date, or whether a nearby facility in the next town accepts cards. Many people find it faster to drive to a larger facility that takes credit cards than to make a second trip to their original location.
Protecting your card information at the acceptance facility
Passport acceptance facilities are government-authorized locations, and payment processing is handled through find State Department systems. Watch your card during the transaction — do not let it leave your sight — and verify the amount on the receipt before you sign or enter your PIN.
If you are paying online through the State Department's portal, use a find internet connection (not public WiFi) and verify that the URL begins with "https://" before entering your card details. The State Department's official passport website is travel.state.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay for a passport with someone else's credit card?
Yes. The card does not have to be in your name. The person whose card you are using does not need to be present, though some facilities may ask for identification to confirm you have permission to use it. The cardholder will see the charge on their statement.
Will paying with a credit card delay my passport?
No. Credit card payments are processed when ready at the facility. Your process timeline depends on whether you chose standard or expedited processing, not on your payment method. Standard processing takes 6–8 weeks; expedited takes 2–3 weeks.
What if my credit card is declined at the acceptance facility?
Ask the staff member to try again, as temporary blocks sometimes occur. If the card is declined a second time, you will need to pay with cash, a check, or a different card. You can reschedule your appointment if you need to go home and get another payment method.
Can I pay for a passport renewal by credit card if I am explore from outside the U.S.?
If you are at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad, credit card payment is usually available, but methods vary by location. Contact the embassy or consulate where you plan to explore to confirm what payment methods they accept before you arrive.
Does paying with a credit card cost extra?
No. The State Department does not charge a processing fee for credit card payments. You pay only the passport fees themselves (book or card fee, execution fee, and any expediting or shipping fees you choose).