How To Get Free Passport for Low Income

How Can I Get A Free Passport For Low Income Individuals – A passport is an important official government-issued document that grants you privileges like international travel and serves as a key identification proof. When it comes to applying for a US passport, a fee is applicable apart from providing supporting documents. While passport application fees are an important part of the process, they may pose a barrier for a few families and individuals.

As per the report, the cost of an American passport application has increased by $10 since 2018. This costs a lot, specifically if the expedited application fees are included in the total price. Thankfully, the passport system has improved significantly over the course of years, and a few individuals may get a free passport as well. This depends on the eligibility of the applicant and the reason for traveling. This guide will answer one of the most frequent questions among people: ‘Can I Get a Free Passport for Low Income People’ and will help them to know the avenues that they can turn to if they’re unable to afford the cost of the passport application fee.

What Is The Current Price Of A US Passport?

Before delving deep into how to get a free passport for low-income individuals let’s take a look at the current price of a US passport. The cost may vary depending on your situation. A US passport book costs $130 for adults and $100 for minors, with an execution fee of $35. The passport card cost $65. Depending on whether you’re applying for the passport for the first time, seeking expedited services, or renewing an existing passport, you have to spend somewhere between $50 and $195.

The US Department of State charges a standard fee for all passports, irrespective of your financial need or income. The present costs are broken into the following categories:

• Passport for adults who are16 years and older is $110.
• Child passports below 16 years are $105.
• Passport card for traveling to Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, and Bermuda is $35.
• Passport renewal fee for adults is $130 for passport book, $30 for passport card and $160 for both.

Can You Get A U.S Passport For Free?

No, there isn’t any option to obtain a free passport for low-income people in America. Every individual has to pay the same fee to the United States Department of State, irrespective of their financial status or circumstances. There is, however, no fee if you are applying at a military installation. The fees are nonrefundable, and there are no waivers or forms to eliminate or reduce the cost. However, in some circumstances, there are possible eligibility criteria for fee waivers:

• Applying at a Military Installation: There will be no fees applicable for a passport at a military installation.
• Working Abroad for Official Duties: United States employees who are working abroad for services or official duties are eligible to get a US passport for free.

Our next guide will help you apply for Free citizenship for low-income. 

Can I Get A Free Passport By Filing Form I-912?

The Department of State issues passports to citizens of the United States, decides the application fee and determines who is eligible to get the passport. For this, you need to fill out an application form, submit the required documents to the Department of State, and pay the fee. Form I-912 fee waiver has nothing to do with a free passport or the state department.

The state department even confirms on their official website that ‘You cannot get a passport for free using this form. I-912 is an official form that is used by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This is for people who need assistance to request a citizenship fee waiver for low-income. According to the form, a person can get fee waiver for citizenship if they meet the following criteria:

• Receiving Means Tested Benefits: You, or your spouse, or the head of your household are receiving means-tested benefits. The qualifying person must live in the same household as you.
• Meeting the Income Guidelines: Individuals who have household income at or below 150% to 200% of the federal poverty guidelines can be eligible for passport fee waiver form and reduction from USCIS. Form I-912 and form I-942 are ways to apply for a fee waiver for citizenship or fee reduction.
• Experiencing Financial Hardship: Applicants who are going through financial hardship and are unable to obtain citizenship can request a citizenship fee waiver for low-income. This includes eviction, unemployment, medical bills, or lack of a stable address.

What If I Cannot Afford A U.S Passport?

Is a US passport application fee or renewal out of your budget? Following is the list of options that you can consider if you are not in a financial position to afford a passport and looking for a passport fee waiver for low-income.

Apply for Financial Hardship Waiver

In a few circumstances, the US Department of State can grant a citizenship fee waiver for low-income if the applicant demonstrates strong financial hardship. But who is eligible for the fee waiver for passport? Eligibility criteria requires you to have income at or below a specific percentage of the federal poverty level, usually 150% to 200%, and show financial hardship.

Fundraising Campaigns

If you need support to fund your passport for educational, travel purposes or for volunteer work, then you can consider organizing a fundraising campaign like GoFundMe among friends, family or your community to cover the cost and reduce your financial burden.

Work or Volunteer Opportunities

A few international programs, volunteer organizations, or work opportunities can help you with reimbursement or assistance. Your passport cost is a part of the program benefits.

Apply for Community Resources

You can reach out to local government offices, community centers, or social service organizations in your area of residence. They can help you with details about potential resources or assistance programs to fund your US passport.

Apply for Nonprofit Organizations

Your nonprofit organizations provide financial assistance to individuals who are in need of a passport for particular reasons, like humanitarian or educational travel. You must reach out to a local organization, nonprofit, or online resource that can provide you the much-needed assistance about how to get a free passport.

Seek Assistance From Your Boss

Individuals who are traveling overseas for employment purposes must contact their employer regarding paying for the US passport along with the application fees. Even if your employer says no, you can keep the receipts and write off the expenses on your taxes.

See If Your College Offers Scholarships

A few colleges in America help with passport fees. For instance, Temple University offers scholarship programs to help transfer students and first-year students receive financial support up to $135 so that they can offset the cost of applying for a U.S passport. You must contact your college and see if there is a similar program that can help you know how to get a free passport.

Consider A Passport Card

Unless you have to travel to all corners of the world, you can get a passport card instead of applying for a traditional passport book. The cost of cards is cheaper and like books since it costs only $30. Another important thing to note is that passport cards can be used at seaports and land border crossings like Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.

Seek Assistance From Advocacy & Civic Groups

Wondering, ‘Is There A Way To Get A Free Us Passport’? A few advocacy and civic groups may help you with passport application fees. For instance, the nonprofit organization Trans Law Help has been assisting transgender citizens with paying for passport fees. The group collects thousands of dollars in donations to assist, and help trans citizens to offset the cost of updating passports following a legal name change. You can contact veteran organizations, cultural communities and churches in your area who can help you pay for passport fees.

Read our next guide to apply for Free moving services for low-income families. 

Eligibility for Getting a Free U.S Passport

Curious to know who are the lucky people who are eligible to get a free U.S passport? The most obvious examples are government officials of the United States or military members who travel for service reasons or abroad. These individuals are exempted by the government and law from passport fee payments while traveling due to service reasons.

It is important to note that the free passport can be used for foreign travel that regards official services. Individuals may require a regular tourist passport with a recent passport photo at the time of traveling for holidays. Therefore, to be eligible for a free US passport, a person has to be employed by the government. The state government waives passport fees in America if you fall into any one of the following situations:

• A U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, officially designated sailor in the US armed forces
• Traveling on official U.S. government businesses
• An immediate family member of a military service member wants to travel to an overseas funeral.
• Anyone else at the state department who decides must get a free US passport

To get more details on the subject, the respective travel office has to be contacted:

• The Peace Corps must contact the travel office.
• Military office must contact installation travel office
• Department of State personnel have to contact a personal technician or Bureau Executive Office.
• Employees of federal government agencies must contact the agency headquarters travel office.
• Any other person eligible for a free passport in America that does not fall into these categories must contact their local congregational representatives.

U.S Passport Application Process for Fee Exempt Individuals

The application procedure for fee-exempt individuals is different from a regular passport application. Passport guidelines and regulations are set by the respective office. Every office has to determine the best way to complete an application for a US passport. Many officers require the overall application to be sent personally as they handle the entire procedure.

Individuals have to take the application form to the passport acceptance facility. To complete the fee waiver passport application process, you also need to provide proof of documents like identification, a passport photo, citizenship, and a DS11 form. DS11 is a form that first-time passport applicants have to fill out in normal circumstances. The execution fee may be asked to be paid, however, the passport fee will not be applied.

How Can I Get My U.S Passport Fee Waived?

A lot of people wonder, ‘How To Get US Citizenship For Free’? To get US citizenship for free, you need to qualify for a fee waiver or reduction. To get a fee waiver for a US passport, you need to complete the Form I-912 (Request For Fee Waiver) and apply by following these steps.

• Complete the Passport Fee Waiver Form: You need to complete Form I-912, Request For Fee Waiver including all the necessary documents such as medical bills, pay stubs, letters of termination or unemployment benefits, military deployment orders, documentation of bills for mortgages and utilities, documentation of insurance or assistance from FEMA or other programs, and military deployment orders.
• Sign and Date The Form: Individuals need to request a passport fee waiver form by completing, signing, and dating the forms. Even if an individual is under 14 years of age, their legal guardian or parent has to sign the request on their behalf. Once done, you can mail the paper version of Form I-912. Waiver and reduction requests require candidates to file N-400 by mail instead of online.

What Documents Do I Need for a Fee Waiver For Passport Application?

To get a compiled list of all documents and information, you need to contact the US Department of State’s website and learn how to complete the fee waiver for passport application.

Documentation for Adults (18+)

• Photo identification like a driver’s license
• Completed form DS-11
• Proof of US citizenship like a certified copy of a natural certificate or natural papers
• An execution fee of $35 payable by cash or card
• A money order or check made out to the US Department of State for their fees owed
• A recent photo.

Documentation for Young Adults (16 To 17 Years)

• Completed form DS-11
• Recent photo
• Proof of parental consent from at least one guardian
• Photo identification like a driver’s license
• Proof of U.S citizenship like naturalization papers or a certified copy of the birth certificate
• A check or money order made out to the US Department of State for the fees owed
• An execution fee of $35 payable by cash or card.

Documentation for Children (Under 16 Years)

• Completed form DS11
• Recent photo
• Proof of parental consent from at least one guardian
• Photo identification From both parents, like drivers license
• Proof of US citizenship like naturalization papers or a certified copy of the birth certificate
• A check or money order made out to the US Department of State for the fees owed
• An execution fee of $35 payable by cash or card.

Our next guide will help you know how to apply for Free movers for low-income families.

Conclusion

To sum up, there is presently no option to obtain a passport for free or at a discounted rate. Even though there are claims on social media that there are free passports for disabled adults and passport fee waiver for EBT, the claim is false. Everyone, irrespective of their circumstances or financial status, has to pay the same amount in fees to the US Department of State. There are however ways to obtain a fee waiver for citizenship to reduce or eliminate the fee requirements. There are even avenues for people who are going through financial hardship so that they can access a passport. You can apply for community support, nonprofit assistance programs, fundraising campaigns, and educational opportunities to make sure you obtain a free passport for low-income individuals.

Are you interested in learning more about assistance programs and grants that can help you improve your living situation? Then check out the rest of our blogs at GrantsBuddy.