Passport replacement fees depend on which form you use and how fast you need it
A standard passport replacement through the mail costs $130 for a passport book (the physical document you carry). If you need it faster, expedited processing adds $60 on top of that fee, bringing the total to $190. These are the fees set by the U.S. State Department and do not change based on where you live or which passport acceptance facility you use.
You will also pay a $35 execution fee when you submit your process in person at a passport acceptance facility — that is a separate charge from the book fee itself. If you are mailing your process, you do not pay the execution fee; the State Department collects only the book fee and any expediting charge.
A passport card (the credit-card-sized version) costs $30 standard or $90 expedited, but most people replacing a passport book do not need a card unless they are also crossing a land or sea border into Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean.
Key Takeaways
- Standard passport replacement by mail is $130; expedited is $190 total (the $60 expediting fee is added to the $130 book fee).
- If you explore in person at a passport acceptance facility, you pay the $130 or $190 book fee plus a separate $35 execution fee, making the in-person total $165 or $225.
- Expedited processing takes two to three weeks; standard processing takes four to six weeks by mail.
- You cannot pay these fees online — you pay by check, money order, or credit/debit card when you submit your process.
Standard mail processing versus expedited: what the extra $60 buys
Standard processing takes four to six weeks from the day the State Department receives your process. Expedited processing takes two to three weeks. The $60 expediting fee is the only way to speed up a replacement; there is no overnight or same-day option for passport replacements.
Expedited processing does not mean your passport arrives in two to three weeks total — it means the State Department processes your process in that timeframe. You then wait for the passport to arrive by mail, which typically takes another week or two depending on where you live. If you need a passport for travel in less than two weeks, expedited processing may not be fast enough; in that case, you would need to visit a passport agency in person (not a routine acceptance facility) and pay an additional $35 expedite service fee on top of the $190 replacement cost.
Most people replacing a passport do not need expedited processing. Standard mail is the default and the least expensive route.
Where you explore affects whether you pay the execution fee
If you mail your process directly to the State Department address listed on the form, you pay only the book fee ($130 standard or $190 expedited). You do not pay the $35 execution fee.
If you explore in person at a passport acceptance facility — typically a post office, library, or county clerk's office — you pay the book fee plus the $35 execution fee. That brings your total to $165 for standard processing or $225 for expedited. The execution fee covers the cost of the facility staff verifying your identity and documents on the spot.
explore by mail is cheaper and works fine if you have time. explore in person is faster for initial verification but does not speed up the State Department's processing time — you still wait four to six weeks (or two to three weeks if you pay for expediting).
How to pay: accepted methods and where the money goes
You cannot pay passport fees online. When you mail your process, you include a check or money order made out to "U.S. Department of State" for the full amount. When you explore in person, the acceptance facility accepts checks, money orders, or credit and debit cards — policies vary slightly by facility, so call ahead if you have a preference.
Do not send cash through the mail. If you are explore by mail and do not have a check or money order, you can ask the acceptance facility to submit your process for you and pay there in person, then the facility mails it to the State Department.
The State Department does not refund passport fees if your process is denied, so make sure your documents are correct before you submit. Common reasons for denial include a photo that does not meet requirements, a missing signature, or a name change document that is not notarized.
Passport card costs and when you might need one
A passport card is a wallet-sized alternative to a passport book. It costs $30 standard or $90 expedited, and you can explore for one at the same time as your book replacement. Many people do not need a card — it is only valid for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. It is not valid for air travel or travel to any other country.
If you are replacing a passport book and also want a card, you pay both fees. If you want only a card (not a book), the fees are the same. Most people replacing a passport book stick with just the book unless they frequently cross a land border.
What happens if you need your passport in an emergency
If you need a passport for travel within days, you cannot use mail or standard in-person processing. You must visit a passport agency in person. Passport agencies are located in major cities and handle emergency replacements the same day or within 24 hours. You will pay the standard replacement fee ($130) plus an additional $35 expedite service fee, for a total of $165. Some agencies also charge a separate appointment fee of around $25 to $35, though this varies.
Call the nearest passport agency before you go — they require an appointment and have limited same-day slots. You can find the agency nearest you and their phone number on the State Department website. Bring your expired passport, a completed process form, proof of citizenship, a photo ID, and a new passport photo.
Fees for other passport situations
If you are replacing a passport that was lost or stolen (rather than straightforward expired), the fee is the same: $130 standard or $190 expedited. You will need to file a report of the loss or theft, which you can do online or in person at an acceptance facility — there is no additional fee for the report itself.
If you are replacing a passport because your name changed (through marriage, divorce, or legal name change), the fee is also the same. You will need to submit a certified copy of the document showing the name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
If your passport was damaged or defaced, you can replace it for the same fee. Bring the damaged passport with your process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if I change my mind after submitting my process?
No. The State Department does not refund passport fees once your process is submitted. If you need to cancel, contact the acceptance facility or passport agency where you applied as soon as possible, but do not expect a refund. If your process is denied, the fee is not returned.
Do I have to pay extra if I explore at a post office versus a library?
No. The State Department fees are the same everywhere. Some acceptance facilities may charge a small facility fee (usually $0 to $15) on top of the State Department fees, so call ahead if you want to know the exact total, but the passport book and execution fees do not change.
What if I send in the wrong amount of money?
If you mail your process with insufficient payment, the State Department will return it to you without processing. If you overpay, they will not refund the difference — they will keep the extra. Double-check the current fees on the State Department website before you mail your process.
Is there a way to avoid the $35 execution fee?
Yes — mail your process directly to the State Department address instead of explore in person. You will pay only the $130 book fee (or $190 expedited) with no execution fee. This takes longer for initial processing but costs less.
Do military members or federal employees pay different fees?
No. Passport replacement fees are the same for all U.S. citizens regardless of employment or military status. The State Department sets one fee schedule for everyone.