Credit cards work for passport fees, but only through specific channels

You can pay passport fees with a credit card, but the State Department does not take them directly at the acceptance agent or passport agency. Instead, you pay by credit card through one of two official routes: the State Department's online payment system (if you are renewing by mail) or a third-party payment processor at certain locations. The method available to you depends on whether you are renewing in person, renewing by mail, or applying for a new passport.

The State Department contracts with a payment processor called Pay.gov to handle online credit card payments for by-mail renewals. If you are applying or renewing in person at a passport acceptance agent or passport agency, you will be directed to pay by check, money order, or debit card at the counter — not credit card. Some acceptance agents use a separate payment kiosk that may accept credit cards, but this varies by location.

Key Takeaways

  • By-mail passport renewals can be paid with a credit card through Pay.gov, the State Department's official payment processor.
  • In-person passport applications and renewals at acceptance agents and passport agencies do not accept credit cards directly; you must use check, money order, or debit card.
  • Some passport acceptance agents have payment kiosks that may accept credit cards, but availability varies — call ahead to confirm before you visit.
  • Passport fees are set by the State Department and do not vary by payment method; paying with a credit card does not add surcharges.
  • If you pay online through Pay.gov, print your receipt and bring it with your application materials when you mail them in.

How to pay by credit card for a by-mail renewal

If you are renewing your passport by mail and meet the requirements (passport is not damaged, you were at least 16 when it was issued, and it was issued within the last five years), you can pay the renewal fee with a credit card through Pay.gov before you mail in your application.

Go to the State Department's passport renewal page, download the DS-11 or DS-82 form (depending on your situation), and follow the link to Pay.gov. Enter your credit card information, the renewal fee amount, and your personal details. Pay.gov will generate a receipt with a confirmation number. Print this receipt, include it with your completed form and supporting documents, and mail everything to the address listed on the State Department website. The State Department processes the payment once they receive your mailed application.

Do not mail your credit card information. Pay.gov is a secure federal payment system, and the State Department will never ask you to send card details by mail or email.

Why in-person applications do not accept credit cards

Passport acceptance agents (post offices, libraries, and county clerks) and passport agencies (federal offices) are required by the State Department to accept only check, money order, or debit card for in-person applications and renewals. This is a federal requirement, not a choice made by individual locations.

The reason is operational: acceptance agents process thousands of applications and need a payment method that clears immediately and cannot be disputed later. Debit cards clear like cash. Checks and money orders are traceable. Credit cards carry chargeback risk, which the federal government avoids for high-volume transactions.

Some passport acceptance agents have installed payment kiosks (often run by a company called Paymentus) that may accept credit cards. These are not standard across all locations. Call your local acceptance agent before you visit to ask whether they have a kiosk and what payment methods it accepts.

What happens if you show up with only a credit card

If you arrive at a passport acceptance agent or agency with only a credit card and no check or money order, you will not be able to complete your application that day. You will need to leave, obtain a check or money order, and return. This delays your passport and may push your application past any travel deadline you have.

To avoid this, bring a check or money order even if you think a kiosk might be available. If the location does accept credit cards through a kiosk, you can use that instead. If it does not, you are prepared.

Passport fees and whether payment method affects the cost

The State Department sets a single fee for passport services regardless of how you pay. As of 2024, a passport book costs $130 for adults (16 and older) and $100 for children under 16. A passport card costs $35. An expedited service fee is $60 additional. These amounts do not change based on whether you pay by check, money order, debit card, or credit card.

No surcharge is added for using a credit card through Pay.gov. The fee you see is the fee you pay.

Using rewards credit cards for passport fees

If you are paying through Pay.gov for a by-mail renewal, you can use any credit card, including rewards cards. The transaction will post to your card as a payment to the U.S. Department of State, and you will earn rewards points or cash back according to your card's terms.

Some rewards cards offer bonus categories for government payments or travel-related expenses. Check your card's rewards structure to see whether passport fees fall into a bonus category. Most cards treat government payments as a standard purchase and award base rewards only.

If you are applying in person, you cannot use a credit card at the counter, so the rewards question does not apply unless your location has a payment kiosk that accepts credit cards.

Passport expediting and payment methods

Expedited passport service costs an additional $60 and speeds processing from the standard 6 to 8 weeks to 2 to 3 weeks. You can request expedited service whether you are applying in person or by mail. The payment method does not affect whether expediting is available.

If you are applying in person and requesting expedited service, you still cannot pay with a credit card at the counter. You must use check, money order, or debit card (or a kiosk if your location has one). If you are renewing by mail with expedited service, you can pay the expedited fee through Pay.gov along with the base renewal fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my passport fee with a credit card at the post office?

Not at the counter. Post offices that serve as passport acceptance agents accept only check, money order, or debit card for in-person applications. Some post offices have payment kiosks that may accept credit cards, but this is not standard. Call your local post office before you visit to ask whether they have a kiosk and what it accepts.

Is Pay.gov safe for credit card payments?

Yes. Pay.gov is the official federal payment system used by multiple government agencies. It uses encryption and is PCI-compliant. The State Department does not store your card information; Pay.gov processes it securely and returns only a confirmation number to the State Department.

What if I pay online but then do not mail in my application?

Contact the State Department's passport services line to request a refund. You will need your Pay.gov confirmation number. Refunds are processed but can take several weeks. It is better to pay only after you have completed your application form and gathered all supporting documents.

Can I use a prepaid credit card to pay for a passport?

Yes, if it is a Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover prepaid card. Pay.gov accepts the same card types as a standard credit card. Make sure the prepaid card has enough balance to cover the fee before you attempt payment.

Do I need to bring my receipt if I paid online?

Yes. Print your Pay.gov receipt and include it with your mailed application. The receipt shows the State Department that payment was submitted and provides a confirmation number they can use to track it if there is a question about your application.