Passports

Passport Information

On March 8, 2005, a $12.00 surcharge fee was added to the existing cost of a U.S. passport. The application fee for first-time adult customers increased to $97.00. Passport for minors under age 16, first-time or renewal increased to $82.00. The adult renewal application fee increased to $67.00.

The Department is required by law and regulation to recover the actual costs of providing most consular services through user fees. This $12.00 surcharge was authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005, to support enhanced border security. The surcharge will be used to support the issuance of a newly redesigned passport containing new security features. The last major revision of the Schedule of Fees was in 2002.

For other passport information call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 or TDD/TTY: 1-888-874-7793, or with a major credit card, at 1-888-362-8668.

EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 1, 2004, NOTARIZED PARENTAL CONSENT REQUIRED WHEN APPLYING FOR MINORS' PASSPORTS

The Department of State has amended the rule requiring the consent of both parents to obtain a passport for a minor child. In the past, when only one parent has appeared at the Embassy or Consulate to apply for the minor's passport, we required a written statement of consent from the other parent. Starting November 1, 2004, we will require that such statements be notarized. The statement must give the non-appearing parent's unequivocal and unconditional consent to the issuance of the passport, and must be notarized before foreign notaries in most countries or at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad.

We still strongly prefer that both parents appear to sign the minor child’s passport application, however we will accept a statement from the parent who does not appear, as long as it is notarized. These safeguards are necessary to prevent child abduction or other interference with the non-applying parent's rights.

For further information on passport requirements, please visit the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ website.