U.S. Passport: Its cost in 1862, why it's blue, and other secrets revealed in a trivia

The U.S. passport, a document now held by nearly half of Americans, has undergone a significant transformation since its inception. Initially, diplomats like Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams carried handwritten letters of introduction, often in French, to secure safe passage. These letters served as the direct precursor to the modern passport.

Throughout much of the 19th century, U.S. passports were essentially letters detailing a traveler's physical description and could be issued by various levels of government. This changed in 1856 when Congress granted the Department of State exclusive authority to issue passports, a power it retains today. The first fee for a passport was established in 1862 at $3, equivalent to about $100 in current terms.

Modern security measures were spurred by a World War I scandal where a German spy used a stolen U.S. passport. In response, passports began requiring a photograph starting in December 1914. The document also reflects social changes: women could not apply independently until 1937, and children were listed on their parents' documents until 1981, when every traveler, regardless of age, required their own passport. The familiar blue color was first introduced in 1976 for the nation's bicentennial.

Technological advancements have continued to enhance passport security and functionality. Since 2000, digital photos are printed directly onto the booklet. The passport card was introduced in 2008 for land crossings, and a new generation passport with enhanced security features and a laser-engraved polycarbonate data page was released in 2021. Passport issuance has surged, with the State Department issuing a record 27 million passports in 2025, compared to just 5% of Americans holding one in 1990.