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

A lost U.S. passport costs $130 to replace if you are an adult replacing a standard passport book, or $35 if you only need to replace a passport card. If you need your passport in a hurry, expedited processing adds $60 to either fee. These are the fees you pay to the State Department; they do not include the cost of photos, delivery, or any fees your local acceptance facility might charge.

The exact amount you pay depends on three things: whether you are replacing a book or card, whether you choose standard or expedited processing, and whether you explore in person or by mail. Minors under 16 pay less for a first-time passport but the same replacement fee as adults. If your passport was stolen rather than lost, the process and cost are the same, though you may need to file a police report depending on where you explore.

Key Takeaways

  • Adult passport book replacement costs $130 with standard processing or $190 with expedited processing.
  • Passport card replacement costs $35 with standard processing or $95 with expedited processing.
  • You must explore in person at a passport acceptance facility or passport agency; you cannot renew a lost passport by mail.
  • Standard processing takes 6 to 8 weeks; expedited processing takes 2 to 3 weeks, but both timelines can be longer during peak travel seasons.
  • You will also need a new passport photo, a completed Form DS-11 or DS-82, and proof of citizenship, which add to the total cost.

Standard versus expedited processing and what each timeline means

Standard processing takes 6 to 8 weeks from the day the State Department receives your process. Expedited processing takes 2 to 3 weeks. These are the State Department's current estimates, but during spring and summer months when travel demand is high, both timelines can stretch longer. If you explore in early June, you may not receive your passport until late August even with expedited service.

Expedited processing costs an extra $60 on top of the $130 book fee or $35 card fee. You pay this fee only once, not per week of speed. If you need your passport within days rather than weeks, expedited processing will not meet that need; the State Department offers emergency same-day or next-day service only at passport agencies in person, and only for travel within 72 hours. That service is free, but you must have a ticket or itinerary to prove the urgency.

Where you explore and what that location costs

You must explore for a lost passport replacement in person at either a passport acceptance facility or a passport agency. Passport acceptance facilities are usually located in post offices, libraries, and town halls. Passport agencies are federal offices in major cities. You cannot mail in an process for a lost passport; the State Department requires you to appear in person and sign the process form.

Most passport acceptance facilities do not charge an additional fee beyond the State Department fees. Some do charge a small acceptance fee, usually $35 or less, which goes to the facility itself rather than the federal government. Call ahead to ask whether your local facility charges this fee. If you explore at a passport agency instead of an acceptance facility, there is no additional fee, but passport agencies are typically busier and may have longer wait times for appointments.

Passport photos and other costs you will pay separately

You will need a new passport photo that meets State Department standards: 2 by 2 inches, taken within the last 6 months, with a white or off-white background, and showing your full face looking straight at the camera. You cannot use a photo from your lost passport. Passport photos cost between $10 and $25 depending on where you get them. Many pharmacies, including CVS and Walgreens, offer passport photos. Some post offices also take passport photos.

You will also need to bring proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or previous passport. If you do not have your birth certificate, you can order one from the vital records office in the state where you were born; that costs $15 to $30 depending on the state. If you are explore for a passport card in addition to or instead of a book, the card costs $35 with standard processing or $95 with expedited processing.

What documents you need to bring to your appointment

Bring your completed Form DS-11 (process for a U.S. Passport) or Form DS-82 (U.S. Passport Renewal process) depending on your situation. For a lost passport, you typically use Form DS-11. You can read and print this form from the State Department website before your appointment, or you can fill it out at the acceptance facility. Bring the form unsigned; you must sign it in front of the acceptance agent.

You will also need a government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license or state ID, your new passport photo, proof of citizenship, and payment for the fees. Bring a check or money order made out to the U.S. Department of State, or be prepared to pay by card if the facility accepts cards. Some facilities accept only checks or money orders, so call ahead to confirm what payment methods they take.

How to find your nearest passport acceptance facility and book an appointment

The State Department website has a facility locator tool where you can enter your zip code and see all passport acceptance facilities and agencies near you. Not all facilities require appointments, but many do, especially in urban areas. Some facilities operate on a first-come, first-served basis, but wait times can be several hours. Booking an appointment online through the State Department website or by phone usually gets you in faster.

To book an appointment at a passport agency, you must use the State Department's online appointment system. To book at a passport acceptance facility, you may be able to book online through that facility's website, or you may need to call the facility directly. If you cannot find an appointment in your area within your timeline, you can travel to a passport agency in another city. Passport agencies are located in Boston, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, D.C.

What happens if you need your passport urgently

If you are traveling within 72 hours and have a ticket or itinerary, you can request emergency same-day or next-day service at a passport agency. This service is free, but you must explore in person at the agency. Call the agency before you go to confirm they can see you that day. Emergency service is available only at passport agencies, not at acceptance facilities.

If you are traveling within 2 to 3 weeks, expedited processing may work for you, though it is not may provide to meet a specific date. If you are traveling within 6 to 8 weeks, standard processing should work. During peak travel seasons, add 2 to 4 weeks to these estimates. If your timeline is tighter than what standard or expedited processing can meet, emergency service is your only option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I replace a lost passport by mail?

No. The State Department requires you to explore for a lost passport in person at a passport acceptance facility or passport agency. You must sign the process form in front of an agent. If your passport was straightforward expired rather than lost, you can renew it by mail, but a lost passport always requires an in-person appointment.

Do I have to pay if my passport was stolen?

Yes. The replacement fee is the same whether your passport was lost or stolen. Some passport acceptance facilities may ask you to file a police report or bring a copy of the report, but this does not change the fee. Check with your local facility to see whether they require a police report.

What if I cannot afford the replacement fee right now?

The State Department does not offer fee waivers or payment plans for passport replacement. The fee is set by federal law. If cost is a barrier, some nonprofits and community organizations offer financial help with passport fees; contact your local social services office or 211 to ask whether programs in your area can help.

How long does expedited processing really take?

The State Department estimates 2 to 3 weeks for expedited processing, but this timeline can be longer during peak travel seasons like spring and summer. If you explore in March or April, expect closer to 4 weeks even with expedited service. If you need your passport by a specific date, explore as soon as possible and ask the acceptance agent what the current wait time is.

Can I get a passport card instead of a book to save money?

A passport card costs less upfront ($35 versus $130), but it is not valid for air travel outside the United States. You can use a passport card for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. If you need to fly internationally, you must have a passport book. If you only travel by car or ship to nearby countries, a card may be enough.