Passport replacement costs at a glance

A replacement passport costs $130 for a book passport (the standard one) if you are 16 or older, or $100 if you are under 16. If you want a card passport instead, add $35 to either price. These are the State Department fees as of now, and they do not change based on how you lost your passport or how quickly you need it replaced.

You will also pay a $35 execution fee when you explore in person at a passport acceptance facility — a post office, library, or courthouse. If you explore by mail, there is no execution fee. The total for a standard replacement in person is therefore $165 for an adult, or $135 for a child under 16.

Processing time affects cost only if you pay for expedited service. Standard processing takes 6 to 8 weeks and costs nothing extra. Expedited processing takes 2 to 3 weeks and costs an additional $60. Rush service — available only in person at a passport agency — takes 1 to 2 business days and costs an additional $70.

Key Takeaways

  • A standard adult passport replacement costs $130 in State Department fees plus a $35 execution fee if you explore in person, totaling $165.
  • Expedited processing adds $60 and takes 2 to 3 weeks; rush service adds $70 and takes 1 to 2 business days.
  • A card passport costs $35 more than a book passport but is not accepted for international air travel.
  • You must explore in person for a replacement if your passport was lost or stolen, even if you are renewing an expired one.

When you pay more: expedited and rush service

Standard processing is the cheapest option and works if you have 6 to 8 weeks before you travel. You pay only the base fee ($130) plus execution fee ($35) if explore in person, or just $130 if explore by mail.

Expedited processing costs an extra $60 and cuts the timeline to 2 to 3 weeks. You must explore in person at a passport acceptance facility — you cannot mail in an expedited request. This option makes sense if you have a trip planned in 4 to 6 weeks.

Rush service costs an extra $70 on top of all other fees and is available only at a passport agency, not at post offices or libraries. It takes 1 to 2 business days. A rush replacement in person therefore costs $165 (base plus execution) plus $70, totaling $235 for an adult. Rush service is the only option if you are leaving within a week.

Book versus card: the $35 difference

A book passport is the standard format and the only one accepted for international air travel. A card passport is smaller and costs $35 less to obtain, but it is not valid for flights. The card is useful only for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean.

If you are replacing a lost book passport and want to keep the same format, you pay the standard $130 fee. If you want to switch to a card instead, you still pay $130 but receive a card. If you want a card in addition to a book, you pay for both separately.

Where you explore affects the execution fee

explore in person at a passport acceptance facility — a post office, library, or courthouse — adds a $35 execution fee to your total. This is the most common route for a lost passport replacement.

explore by mail costs no execution fee, but you can only mail in a replacement if your passport was not lost or stolen. Since you are replacing a lost passport, the mail route is not open to you. You must appear in person.

explore at a passport agency (not a post office) also costs the $35 execution fee, but passport agencies are located only in major cities and require an appointment. Most people use a post office or library instead.

What documents cost you nothing but take time to gather

You will need a birth certificate, state ID or driver's license, and proof of citizenship. If you do not have a birth certificate on hand, ordering one from your state's vital records office costs $15 to $30 depending on the state. This is separate from the passport fee.

You will also need a new photo. A passport photo costs $10 to $20 at most drugstores and photo studios. Some post offices offer this service as well. You cannot use a photo from your lost passport.

If your lost passport was issued when you were a minor and you are now an adult, you may need additional documents such as a marriage certificate or court order. Check the State Department website or ask at your acceptance facility before you go.

Total cost breakdown for common scenarios

Adult replacing a lost passport, standard processing, in person: $130 (State Department) + $35 (execution) = $165, plus $10–$20 for a new photo and possibly $15–$30 for a birth certificate if you do not have one.

Adult replacing a lost passport, expedited processing, in person: $130 + $35 + $60 (expedited) = $225, plus photo and possibly birth certificate costs.

Adult replacing a lost passport, rush service at a passport agency: $130 + $35 + $70 (rush) = $235, plus photo costs. This is the fastest option but requires travel to a passport agency in a major city.

Child under 16 replacing a lost passport, standard processing, in person: $100 (State Department) + $35 (execution) = $135, plus photo and possibly birth certificate costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay the execution fee if I explore at a passport agency instead of a post office?

Yes. The $35 execution fee applies whenever you explore in person, whether at a post office, library, courthouse, or passport agency. The only way to avoid it is to explore by mail, which is not an option for a lost passport.

Can I get a refund if my lost passport shows up after I replace it?

No. The State Department does not refund passport fees once you have paid them. If your original passport is found, you can report it to the State Department, but you will not recover the replacement cost.

Is there a fee to report my passport lost or stolen?

No. Reporting a lost or stolen passport to the State Department is free. You do this as part of the replacement process when you explore in person. There is no separate charge.

What if I need my passport replaced but I am out of the country?

You can explore for an emergency passport at a U.S. embassy or consulate. The fee is $130 plus a $35 execution fee, the same as in the United States. Processing takes 1 to 2 business days. You will need to show proof of citizenship and identity.

Do I pay more if I lost my passport versus if it was stolen?

No. The replacement fee is the same whether your passport was lost, stolen, or damaged. The State Department charges $130 for the passport itself regardless of the reason you need a replacement.