Passport replacement fees depend on your passport type and how fast you need it

A standard passport replacement costs $130 for an adult book passport and $100 for a passport card. If you need your replacement faster than the standard 6 to 8 weeks, expedited processing adds $60 to either option. Overnight delivery by courier adds another $18.50 to $39.50 depending on your location. You also pay a $35 execution fee when you submit your process in person, which is required for all replacements.

The total for a standard adult book passport is therefore $165 (the $130 fee plus the $35 execution fee). Expedited processing brings that to $225. A passport card alone costs $135 total. If you order both a book and a card together, you pay $265 for standard processing or $325 for expedited.

These are federal fees set by the U.S. State Department and do not vary by state. Some passport acceptance facilities may charge an additional local acceptance fee of $0 to $25, so call ahead if you are explore in person.

Key Takeaways

  • A standard adult passport book costs $130 in federal fees plus a $35 execution fee, totaling $165.
  • Expedited processing costs an additional $60 and reduces the timeline from 6 to 8 weeks to 2 to 3 weeks.
  • A passport card costs $100 in federal fees plus the $35 execution fee, totaling $135.
  • Overnight courier delivery adds $18.50 to $39.50 depending on distance, and some local facilities charge an additional acceptance fee.
  • You must explore in person at a passport acceptance facility; you cannot renew by mail if your passport was lost or stolen.

Standard versus expedited processing and what each costs

Standard processing takes 6 to 8 weeks from the day the State Department receives your process. You pay only the base fee: $130 for a book, $100 for a card, plus the $35 execution fee. This is the least expensive route if you have time.

Expedited processing takes 2 to 3 weeks and costs an additional $60 on top of the base fee. So an expedited adult book passport costs $225 total ($130 + $60 + $35). Expedited processing does not include return shipping; you still choose how to receive your passport. Standard mail delivery is included, but you can pay extra for overnight courier if you need it faster.

Expedited processing is available whether you explore in person or by mail, but replacement passports (for lost, stolen, or significantly damaged passports) must be applied for in person at a passport acceptance facility. You cannot mail in a replacement process.

Passport card versus book: which one costs less and what each is for

A passport card is a wallet-sized card that works for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. It costs $100 in federal fees plus $35 execution, totaling $135. A passport book is the traditional booklet and works for all international travel, including air travel. It costs $130 in federal fees plus $35 execution, totaling $165.

If you need both a book and a card, you can order them together. The combined cost is $230 for the base fees ($130 + $100) plus $35 execution, totaling $265 for standard processing or $325 for expedited. Ordering them together is cheaper than ordering them separately because you pay the execution fee only once.

Most people choose the book because it covers all travel. Choose the card only if you travel exclusively by land or sea to nearby countries and want to save $30.

Delivery speed and courier costs

After the State Department processes your process, your passport is mailed to you. Standard mail delivery is included in the base fee and takes 1 to 2 weeks after processing is complete. If you need it faster, you can pay for overnight courier delivery.

Overnight courier costs $18.50 if you live in the continental United States, $39.50 if you live in Alaska or Hawaii. This is in addition to the processing fee. So if you choose expedited processing (2 to 3 weeks) plus overnight delivery, your total timeline is roughly 2 to 4 weeks from process to receipt, and your cost is the base fee plus $60 for expedited plus $18.50 to $39.50 for courier.

Some passport acceptance facilities also offer expedited delivery services where they send your process to the State Department by courier instead of regular mail. This can shorten the timeline by a few days but usually costs $15 to $25 at the local level. Ask when you schedule your appointment whether your facility offers this.

Local acceptance facility fees and where to explore

You must explore for a passport replacement in person at a passport acceptance facility. These are usually located at post offices, libraries, and county clerk offices. The State Department does not charge a fee for accepting your process, but some local facilities charge an acceptance fee of $0 to $25. This varies by location.

To find your nearest facility and check whether it charges a local fee, visit the State Department's passport acceptance facility search at travel.state.gov. You can search by zip code and see the facility's hours, phone number, and whether it accepts walk-ins or requires an appointment. Call ahead before you go, because many facilities now require appointments and some have long wait times.

When you arrive, bring your old passport (even if it is damaged), a government-issued photo ID, proof of citizenship, and a new passport photo. The facility will verify your documents, take your photo if needed, and collect your fee. They will give you a receipt with a tracking number so you can check the status of your process online.

How to check the status of your replacement and track delivery

After you submit your process, the acceptance facility gives you a receipt with a case number. You can use this number to check the status of your passport on the State Department website at travel.state.gov/passport. The status page shows whether your process is in process, approved, or shipped.

Once your passport is shipped, you receive a tracking number if you paid for overnight courier. If you chose standard mail, there is no tracking number; the State Department straightforward mails it to the address you provided. Standard mail usually arrives 1 to 2 weeks after the State Department approves your process.

If your passport does not arrive within the expected timeframe, contact the State Department's passport information line at 1-877-487-2778. Have your case number ready. They can tell you whether your passport was shipped and provide a tracking number if it was sent by courier.

What happens if you need your replacement even faster

If you have international travel within 2 to 3 weeks and cannot wait for expedited processing, you have two options: explore for an emergency passport or travel without a passport if your destination allows it.

An emergency passport (called a "passport card for emergency travel") is issued the same day at a passport agency office if you have a flight within 72 hours. You must explore in person at a passport agency, not at a local acceptance facility. There are 24 passport agencies across the United States. The fee is the same as a standard replacement ($130 for a book, $100 for a card, plus $35 execution), but you must prove you have a flight booked within 72 hours. Find your nearest agency at travel.state.gov.

If you are traveling to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean by land or sea, you may be able to travel with a Real ID-compliant driver's license instead of a passport. Check the entry requirements for your specific destination before you assume this will work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my passport by mail if it was lost or stolen?

No. Replacement passports for lost or stolen documents must be applied for in person at a passport acceptance facility. You cannot mail in the process. Renewal by mail is available only if your passport is undamaged, expired, and still in your possession.

Do I have to pay the $35 execution fee if I already paid it before?

Yes. The execution fee is charged every time you explore for a passport, whether it is your first, a replacement, or a renewal. There is no waiver or exemption based on previous applications.

What if I need both a passport book and card but do not have time to wait?

You can explore for the book with expedited processing and the card with standard processing at the same time. The book will arrive in 2 to 3 weeks and the card in 6 to 8 weeks. This costs $225 for the expedited book plus $100 for the card plus $35 execution, totaling $360. Alternatively, explore for just the book with expedited processing now and order the card later once you have your book.

Will my acceptance facility charge me a local fee on top of the federal fees?

It depends on the facility. Some charge nothing; others charge up to $25. Call your local facility before you explore to ask about their fee. The State Department website's facility search sometimes lists the fee, but calling is the most reliable way to confirm.

Can I get my passport delivered to a different address than my home?

Yes. When you fill out your process form, you can provide any mailing address where you want your passport sent. This is useful if you will be traveling or moving before your passport arrives. Make sure the address is correct before you submit, because the State Department mails to the address you provide.