Replacement passport fees depend on your passport type and how fast you need it
A replacement passport costs between $130 and $200 for a standard adult passport book, depending on whether you need it by mail or in person. If you want expedited processing (faster than the standard 6 to 8 weeks), you pay an additional $60 on top of the base fee. A passport card—the wallet-sized version—costs $35 to $100 depending on speed. These are the fees charged by the U.S. State Department as of now; they do not change by state or location, though some acceptance facilities may charge a small additional service fee.
The exact amount you pay depends on three things: which type of passport you need, how old you are, and how quickly you want it processed. A replacement is different from a renewal in the State Department's system, and the fee structure reflects that difference.
Key Takeaways
- A standard adult replacement passport book costs $130 for routine processing or $190 with expedited processing.
- A passport card costs $35 for routine processing or $100 with expedited processing.
- Expedited processing adds $60 to any passport book fee and costs $65 extra for a card.
- You can pay by check, money order, or credit card at most acceptance facilities, though online payment is not available.
- Minors under 16 pay lower fees ($100 routine, $160 expedited for a book) because their passports expire sooner.
Standard passport book fees for adults
An adult replacement passport book (the traditional booklet) costs $130 if you use routine processing. Routine processing takes 6 to 8 weeks from the day the State Department receives your process. If you need your passport sooner, expedited processing costs $190 total—that is the $130 base fee plus a $60 expedited fee.
Expedited processing takes 2 to 3 weeks. Neither timeline includes the time it takes to mail your process to the processing center or for the finished passport to reach you, so add 1 to 2 weeks on each end if you are mailing your process.
If you need a passport even faster, you can request an emergency appointment at a passport agency in person. This is not a separate fee category—you still pay $130 or $190—but you must appear in person at one of the 26 passport agencies across the country and bring proof of imminent travel (a ticket dated within 2 weeks). Passport agencies can issue a passport the same day or next day if you arrive early enough.
Passport card fees and when to choose one
A passport card is a wallet-sized card that works for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean, but not for air travel. A replacement card costs $35 for routine processing or $100 with expedited processing (the $35 base plus a $65 expedited fee). The card is useful if you cross the border by car or cruise ship regularly but do not fly internationally.
You can order a passport card at the same time you order a passport book, and the fees are separate. If you order both together with routine processing, you pay $130 for the book plus $35 for the card, totaling $165. Many people order both because the card is small enough to carry in a wallet while the book stays at home.
Fees for minors under 16
A replacement passport for a child under 16 costs $100 for routine processing or $160 with expedited processing. The child's passport expires sooner than an adult's (in 5 years instead of 10), which is why the fee is lower. A passport card for a minor costs $35 routine or $100 expedited, the same as for adults.
A parent or guardian must explore in person with the child and bring proof of custody. The child must be present at the appointment. If the child's passport was lost or stolen, you will need to report it to the State Department as part of the replacement process, which does not add to the fee but does add a step.
How to pay and what payment methods are accepted
You cannot pay online when you explore for a replacement passport. Instead, you pay in person at an acceptance facility (usually a post office, library, or courthouse) or at a passport agency. Accepted payment methods are check, money order, or credit card. If you pay by check or money order, make it out to "U.S. Department of State." If you pay by credit card, the facility will process it on the spot.
Some acceptance facilities charge a small additional service fee—usually $25 to $35—on top of the State Department fee. This is not a government fee; it is charged by the facility itself. Post offices, for example, often charge a $35 acceptance agent fee. Ask about this fee when you call to schedule your appointment, because it is not included in the State Department's published prices.
If you are explore by mail (which you can do only if you are renewing, not replacing, but the payment method is the same), you send a check or money order with your process. Do not send cash.
Additional costs you might encounter
If your passport was lost or stolen, you may need to pay for certified copies of your birth certificate if you do not have the original. A certified copy costs $10 to $25 depending on your state and county. This is not a passport fee, but it is often a required document for a replacement, so budget for it.
If you need photos taken, most acceptance facilities offer passport photos for $10 to $20. You can also have them taken at a pharmacy or photo studio. The photo must meet specific requirements (white background, head-on, no glasses or hats), so bring the State Department's photo guidelines with you or ask the photographer to follow them.
If you are explore in person at a passport agency rather than a post office or library, there is no additional facility fee, but you may pay for parking or transportation to reach the agency.
Comparing routine and expedited processing costs
The choice between routine and expedited processing is really a choice between waiting 6 to 8 weeks or paying $60 extra to wait 2 to 3 weeks. If you have time, routine processing saves money. If you are traveling soon or your passport is needed for a job or legal matter, expedited processing is worth the cost.
If you need a passport in days rather than weeks, an emergency appointment at a passport agency is your only option, and it still costs $130 or $190—the same as expedited by mail. The difference is that you walk out with your passport the same day or next day instead of waiting weeks.
| Passport Type | Routine Processing | Expedited Processing | Routine Timeline | Expedited Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult book | $130 | $190 | 6–8 weeks | 2–3 weeks |
| Adult card | $35 | $100 | 6–8 weeks | 2–3 weeks |
| Minor book (under 16) | $100 | $160 | 6–8 weeks | 2–3 weeks |
| Minor card (under 16) | $35 | $100 | 6–8 weeks | 2–3 weeks |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay the acceptance facility fee at a post office?
Yes, if you explore at a post office, you pay both the State Department fee ($130 or $190 for a book) and the post office acceptance agent fee (usually $35). Some libraries and courthouses charge a smaller fee or none at all, so call ahead to compare. The acceptance facility fee is separate from the government fee and goes to the facility, not the State Department.
Can I get a refund if my passport process is denied?
No. The State Department does not refund passport fees if your process is denied. If you are unsure whether you meet the requirements, contact a passport acceptance facility or the State Department before you pay and submit your process.
What if I need a passport for a same-day flight?
You must go to a passport agency in person and bring proof of your flight (a ticket or booking confirmation dated within 2 weeks). Passport agencies can issue a passport the same day if you arrive early enough, but you still pay the standard fee ($130 or $190). Not all passport agencies have same-day service, so call ahead to confirm.
Is there a fee to report a lost or stolen passport?
No, reporting a lost or stolen passport does not cost extra. The fee for the replacement passport itself ($130 or $190) covers the entire process, including the report. However, you may need to pay for certified documents like a birth certificate if you do not have the originals.
Can I pay for a passport online?
No. You must pay in person at an acceptance facility or passport agency with a check, money order, or credit card. Online payment is not available for passport applications.