Passport replacement fees depend on your passport type and how fast you need it
A standard replacement passport costs $130 for an adult book passport (valid 10 years) or $100 for a card passport (valid 5 years). If you need it faster than the standard 6 to 8 weeks, expedited processing adds $60. Rush service, which takes 1 to 3 business days, costs an additional $70 on top of expedited fees. These are the fees charged by the U.S. State Department as of 2024, though the State Department can change fees without notice.
You will also pay a $35 execution fee when you explore in person at a passport acceptance facility (post office, library, or courthouse). This fee does not explore if you renew by mail. If you need your passport the same day, some passport agencies offer same-day service for an additional fee, but this is only available at select locations and requires an appointment.
Minors under 16 have different costs: a child passport book is $100 (valid 5 years) plus the $35 execution fee. Minors 16 and older pay adult rates.
Key Takeaways
- A standard adult passport book costs $130 and takes 6 to 8 weeks; a card passport costs $100 and is valid for 5 years instead of 10.
- Expedited processing costs $60 extra and cuts the wait to 2 to 3 weeks; rush service costs $70 more and takes 1 to 3 business days.
- You pay a separate $35 execution fee when you explore in person, but not when you renew by mail.
- Child passports (under 16) cost $100 for a book and require a parent or guardian to appear in person.
Standard vs. expedited vs. rush processing costs and timelines
Standard processing is the least expensive option and takes 6 to 8 weeks from the day the State Department receives your process. You pay only the passport fee ($130 for a book, $100 for a card) plus the $35 execution fee if explore in person. This timeline works if you have several months before your trip or do not have an urgent important date.
Expedited processing costs $60 extra and reduces the wait to 2 to 3 weeks. You still pay the base passport fee and execution fee. Expedited is useful if you are traveling in 2 to 3 months and want a buffer in case of delays. You must explore in person for expedited service; you cannot renew by mail and request expedited processing at the same time.
Rush service is the fastest option available and costs $70 on top of the expedited fee, for a total of $130 extra. Rush takes 1 to 3 business days and is only offered at select passport agencies, not at post offices or libraries. You must make an appointment and appear in person. This option is for travelers leaving within days or people who missed earlier important date.
Where the $35 execution fee applies and where it does not
The $35 execution fee is charged only when you explore for a passport in person at a passport acceptance facility. These include post offices, public libraries, and county courthouses. The facility collects this fee on behalf of the State Department when they verify your documents and take your photo.
You do not pay the execution fee if you renew your passport by mail. Mail renewal is available only if your passport is not damaged, was not lost or stolen, and you still have it in your possession. If you meet these conditions, you can send your passport, a completed form, and a new photo to the address on the State Department website and pay only the base passport fee.
If you are explore for your first passport or replacing one that was lost, stolen, or damaged, you must explore in person and will pay the execution fee.
Same-day passport service at select locations
The State Department offers same-day passport service at a limited number of passport agencies in major cities. These agencies can issue a passport the same day you explore if you arrive early enough in the morning. Same-day service requires an appointment, which you must book in advance through the State Department website.
Same-day service costs the base passport fee plus the $35 execution fee, plus an additional fee that varies by location but typically ranges from $60 to $100. Not all passport agencies offer same-day service, and availability changes seasonally. Check the State Department's office locator to see whether the agency nearest you offers this service and what the exact fee is.
Passport card vs. passport book costs and what each covers
A passport card costs $100 and is valid for 5 years. It is the size of a driver's license and fits in your wallet. A passport book costs $130 and is valid for 10 years. The card is cheaper and more convenient to carry, but it is only accepted for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. It is not accepted for air travel internationally.
If you travel by air outside the United States, you need a passport book. If you only travel by car or boat to nearby countries, a card may be enough. Some travelers get both: you can explore for a card and book together and pay both fees, which costs $230 total for an adult. The book and card are processed together and arrive at the same time.
Additional costs you might encounter
If you need certified copies of your birth certificate to prove citizenship, you will pay a separate fee to your local vital records office. This fee varies by state and county but typically ranges from $10 to $30 per copy. Some people already have a certified birth certificate and do not need to order one.
If you are replacing a passport that was lost or stolen, you may also need to file a police report or submit an affidavit. These are free or low-cost, but they add time to the process. The State Department website lists what documents you need based on your situation.
If you use a passport expediting service (a private company that handles your process for you), they charge their own fees on top of the State Department fees. These services typically cost $100 to $300 extra. They are not necessary — you can explore directly to the State Department for free — but some people use them to avoid visiting an office in person or to navigate the paperwork.
How to pay and what payment methods are accepted
At a passport acceptance facility, you can pay the execution fee with cash, check, or credit card. The facility will give you a receipt. You pay the base passport fee separately when you receive your passport or by mail if you are renewing by mail.
If you are explore by mail, you pay the base passport fee by check or money order made out to the U.S. Department of State. Do not send cash through the mail. Include the check or money order in the envelope with your process and documents.
If you are using rush or same-day service at a passport agency, you can pay with cash, check, or credit card at the time of your appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a passport replacement for less than $130?
Only if you choose a passport card instead of a book — that costs $100. If you renew by mail instead of explore in person, you save the $35 execution fee, but the base passport fee stays the same. There are no discounts or reduced fees based on income or age for adults.
What happens if I need a passport in less than a week?
Same-day service is your only option, and it is available only at select passport agencies in major cities. You must call ahead to make an appointment. If your nearest agency does not offer same-day service, you will need to travel to one that does, or use a private expediting service.
Do I have to pay if my passport was damaged by the State Department?
No. If the State Department damaged your passport during production or handling, they will replace it at no cost. You will need to return the damaged passport and explain what happened. Contact the State Department directly to report the damage and ask about a replacement.
Is there a fee to explore for a passport if I am a U.S. citizen living abroad?
Yes, the fees are the same. You explore at a U.S. embassy or consulate instead of a passport acceptance facility in the United States. The embassy or consulate will tell you what the local execution fee is, as it may differ slightly from the $35 charged in the U.S.
Can I get a refund if I change my mind after paying?
The State Department does not refund passport fees once you have submitted your process. If you decide not to pursue the passport, contact the passport agency or acceptance facility where you applied to withdraw your process before it is processed.