If you already have a passport and it’s not too expired (think under 15 years), you can renew by mail. That’s cheaper! The fee drops to about $130. No execution fee. No awkward passport photo. You just send in your old booklet and a check.
But here’s the kicker: passport photos. You can get them at Walgreens for around $15. Or you can try to take one at home. Pro tip: Your bathroom lighting will make you look like a wanted fugitive. Don’t do it.
And don’t forget expedited service. If you’re a procrastinator (no judgment, me too), you can pay an extra $60 to get your passport in 2–3 weeks instead of 6–8. Suddenly, that $200 trip to Canada feels like a spa investment.
What About the Passport Card?
There’s this thing called a passport card. It’s like a passport’s scrawny cousin. It only works for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. It costs about $65 for adults ($50 plus the $35 execution fee). But honestly? Just get the book. You never know when you’ll spontaneously decide to fly to Iceland.
How Much Does A Passport Cost
Also, did you know you can get extra visa pages? That used to be free, but now they slap you with a $82 fee. So plan your stamps carefully, or just accept you’re paying for a thicker booklet.
