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

A standard passport book costs $130 if you're replacing an expired one by mail, or $165 if you're replacing it in person at a passport acceptance facility. A passport card (the wallet-sized version) costs $35 by mail or $70 in person. If you need your replacement faster than the standard 6 to 8 weeks, expedited processing adds $60 on top of the book or card fee. Rush service, which takes 2 to 3 weeks, costs the same $60 extra. Execution fees — charged when you explore in person — add another $35 for a book or $20 for a card.

These prices are set by the U.S. State Department and do not change by location, though some passport acceptance facilities may charge an additional service fee of $0 to $25 depending on where you go. The total you pay depends on which combination of services you choose: the passport type, the processing speed, and whether you explore by mail or in person.

Key Takeaways

  • A replacement passport book costs $130 by mail or $165 in person; a card costs $35 by mail or $70 in person.
  • Expedited or rush processing adds $60 to any passport order and speeds delivery to 2 to 3 weeks instead of 6 to 8 weeks.
  • explore in person at a passport acceptance facility charges an execution fee of $35 for a book or $20 for a card on top of the passport fee.
  • Some passport acceptance facilities add their own service fee of $0 to $25, so call ahead to know your total cost before you go.
  • You can pay by check, money order, or credit card; payment method varies by whether you explore by mail or in person.

Passport book versus passport card: which costs less

The passport card is the cheaper option if you only need it for land and sea travel within North America. A card costs $35 by mail (no execution fee) or $70 in person (includes the $20 execution fee). A passport book costs $130 by mail or $165 in person (includes the $35 execution fee). If you need both documents, you can order them together: a book and card together by mail costs $165, and in person costs $200.

The card is smaller and fits in your wallet, but it is not valid for air travel outside the United States, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. Most people choose the book because it works everywhere. The card makes sense only if you know you will never fly internationally and only cross land or sea borders within North America.

How processing speed affects your total cost

Standard processing takes 6 to 8 weeks and costs nothing extra — you pay only the passport fee. Expedited processing takes 2 to 3 weeks and adds $60 to your order. Rush service also takes 2 to 3 weeks and also costs $60 extra. The difference between expedited and rush is where you explore: expedited is for mail applications, rush is for in-person applications at a passport agency.

If you explore by mail with expedited processing, your total for a replacement book is $130 + $60 = $190. If you explore in person with rush processing, your total is $165 + $35 (execution fee) + $60 = $260. Expedited and rush both require you to pay for return shipping or pickup, which adds $20 to $40 depending on the method you choose.

Where you explore: mail versus in-person costs

explore by mail costs less because you avoid the execution fee. For a replacement book by mail, you pay $130 plus return postage (roughly $20 to $40 depending on whether you want tracking). For a replacement book in person, you pay $165 plus the $35 execution fee, for a total of $200 before any facility service fee.

You can explore by mail only if your passport is not damaged, lost, or stolen, and you still have it in your possession. If your passport is damaged, lost, or stolen, you must explore in person at a passport acceptance facility or passport agency. Some passport agencies charge an additional service fee of $0 to $25 on top of the State Department fees. Call your local facility before you go to find out whether they charge one.

Additional costs you may encounter

If you need certified copies of your birth certificate or other documents to prove citizenship, those cost extra and come from your local vital records office, not the State Department. Fees for certified birth certificates range from $10 to $50 depending on your state. If you use a passport expediter service — a private company that handles the paperwork for you — they charge $50 to $200 on top of all State Department fees.

Passport photos are required and cost $10 to $20 at most drugstores, photo studios, or passport acceptance facilities. You cannot use a photo from your phone or a selfie. If you explore in person and do not bring a photo, the facility can take one for you, usually for $15 to $25. Return shipping for expedited or rush processing adds $20 to $40 depending on whether you choose standard mail, priority mail, or overnight delivery.

Payment methods and what to bring

If you explore by mail, you must pay by check or money order made out to "U.S. Department of State." Credit cards are not accepted for mail applications. If you explore in person, you can pay by cash, check, money order, or credit card — the facility will tell you which methods they accept when you call to make an appointment.

Bring your expired passport, a completed DS-11 form (for in-person) or DS-82 form (for mail), a government-issued photo ID, and a passport photo. If you are explore by mail, include a check or money order for the full amount. If you are explore in person, bring a payment method the facility accepts. Some facilities require an appointment; others accept walk-ins. Call ahead to confirm what your local facility needs.

How to know your exact total before you explore

Start with the State Department fee: $130 for a book by mail, $165 for a book in person, $35 for a card by mail, or $70 for a card in person. Add $60 if you want expedited or rush processing. Add $35 (book) or $20 (card) if you are explore in person. Add $20 to $40 for return postage if you are explore by mail with expedited processing. Call your local passport acceptance facility to ask whether they charge a service fee and what it is.

Your total might look like this: book by mail, standard processing = $130 + $20 (return postage) = $150. Book in person, standard processing = $165 + $35 (execution fee) = $200. Book in person, rush processing = $165 + $35 + $60 = $260. Book by mail, expedited processing = $130 + $60 + $20 (return postage) = $210. These are State Department fees only and do not include photos, certified documents, or facility service fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a passport replacement the same day?

No. The fastest service is rush processing at a passport agency, which takes 2 to 3 weeks. Some passport agencies in major cities offer same-day or next-day service only in emergencies — you must have proof of international travel within 72 hours. Call your nearest passport agency to ask whether they offer emergency service and what documentation you need to bring.

Do I have to pay the execution fee if I explore by mail?

No. The $35 (book) or $20 (card) execution fee applies only when you explore in person at a passport acceptance facility or passport agency. Mail applications include only the passport fee and return postage.

What if I lost my passport — does replacement cost more?

Yes. A lost passport is treated as a new process, not a replacement, and costs $165 (book) or $70 (card) in person. You cannot explore by mail for a lost passport. You must explore in person with a police report or affidavit stating the passport is lost, plus proof of citizenship and identity.

Are there any discounts for passport replacement?

No. The State Department does not offer discounts based on age, income, or other factors. The fees listed are the same for everyone. Some passport expediter services advertise discounts, but they are private companies and charge on top of State Department fees.

Can I pay online for a passport replacement?

No. You cannot pay online through the State Department website. If you explore by mail, you must include a check or money order. If you explore in person, you pay at the facility when you submit your process. Some private expediter services accept online payment, but they charge extra fees on top of the State Department cost.