Applying for a passport can be an expensive process. Applicants are required to pay an application fee to the U.S. Department of State and an execution fee to the passport acceptance facility that accepts the application. Individuals interested in expediting a passport also are required to pay an additional expedite fee. However, some individuals may be eligible for a no-fee passport. This service is offered to specific individuals traveling for specific reasons.

Determine if you are eligible. There are several reasons that you may be eligible for a no-fee passport, including traveling abroad for the U.S. Government; being a dependent of someone traveling abroad for the U.S. Government; being exempt by law from the payment of a passport fee; or having a letter from the American Battle Monuments Commission that states you are traveling overseas in honor of a deceased member of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Contact your respective travel offices to obtain more information on where to apply. If you are in the military, contact your Installation Travel Office. If you are employed by a federal government agency, contact your agency headquarters travel office. If you are in the Peace Corps, contact your travel office. If you are in the Department of State Personnel, contact your bureau executive office or personnel technician. Any individuals eligible for a no-fee passport that do not fall into these categories should contact your local congressional representative or send an email to [email protected].

Follow the passport directions issued by your respective office. Each office will determine the best possible way to issue a passport. Many offices will require you to send the application to them and will handle it from there. Others will require you to take your passport to a Passport Acceptance Facility. If you are required to submit a passport application to the Passport Acceptance Facility, include the DS-11 Form, proof of identification, proof of citizenship and one passport-approved photograph. If this is the case, you may be required to pay the execution fee by the facility, but you will not be required to pay the passport fee.

Submit a letter from the American Battle Monuments Commission if you are applying for a no-fee passport as a widow, widower, child, parent, brother or sister of a deceased member of the U.S. Armed Forces. The letter submitted with the application will exempt you from having to pay the passport fee.

Obtain your passport. No-fee passports are to be used only when traveling overseas on official duty. Any personal travel will require the use of a regular-fee tourist passport. You are allowed to carry both your no-fee passport and your regular-fee passport when traveling.

Things You Will Need

  • Passport Application

  • Proof of Identification

  • Passport Photograph

Tip

All dependents traveling with a parent or guardian on official business must have a separate no-fee passport. No-fee passports expire after five years.