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

A standard passport book replacement costs $130 for an adult (16 and older) and $100 for a child under 16. If you need your passport in a hurry, add $35 for expedited processing, which cuts the wait from 6–8 weeks down to 2–3 weeks. A passport card — the wallet-sized version — costs $35 to replace for adults and $20 for children, though it is not valid for international air travel.

These are the fees charged by the U.S. State Department as of now. They do not include the cost of photos, which you will need to provide, or any fees your local acceptance facility may charge for taking your process. Some post offices and courthouse passport acceptance locations charge $35 to $50 on top of the State Department fee to process your paperwork in person.

You pay the State Department fee directly when you submit your process. If you use a passport expediter — a private company that handles the paperwork for you — you will pay their service fee on top of the government fee, typically $150 to $300 depending on how fast you need it.

Key Takeaways

  • A standard adult passport replacement costs $130, or $165 if you add the $35 expedited fee.
  • Passport cards cost $35 for adults and $20 for children but cannot be used for air travel outside the U.S.
  • Local acceptance facilities — post offices and courthouses — may charge an additional $35 to $50 to process your process.
  • Passport expediter companies charge $150 to $300 on top of government fees but handle the paperwork and mailing for you.
  • You must provide a new passport photo; drugstores and photo studios typically charge $10 to $20 for a passport-sized photo.

Where to pay and what the fee covers

You submit your fee when you explore in person at a passport acceptance facility — a post office, courthouse, or library that processes passport applications. You can pay by check, money order, or credit card at most locations, though some post offices accept cash. The State Department fee covers the cost of producing your new passport book and mailing it back to you.

If you use a passport expediter, you pay them directly, and they forward your process and the State Department fee to the government on your behalf. This is useful if you are out of the country or cannot visit an acceptance facility in person, but it costs extra and adds processing time on both ends.

Expedited versus standard processing

Standard processing takes 6 to 8 weeks from the day the State Department receives your process. Expedited processing takes 2 to 3 weeks and costs an extra $35. You still need to get to an acceptance facility in person to submit your process — you cannot mail it in yourself — so the clock starts when they send it to the State Department, not when you hand it over.

If you need your passport in less than 2 weeks, you cannot use the mail. Instead, you must visit a passport agency in person — there are 23 across the country — and pay for emergency or rush service on the same day. Emergency service (same-day or next-day) costs $60 on top of the standard fee. Rush service (3–5 business days) costs $60 as well. You must have a travel date within 14 days to use emergency service, or within 28 days for rush service.

Passport photos and acceptance facility fees

You must provide a new 2-by-2-inch color photo taken within the last six months. Drugstores like CVS and Walgreens charge $10 to $20 for a passport photo. Some post offices offer photo services for a similar price. You can also have a photo taken at a professional photography studio, which typically costs $15 to $30.

When you submit your process at a post office or courthouse, that facility may charge a service fee of $35 to $50 to process your paperwork. This is separate from the State Department fee and goes to the local facility, not the government. Not all acceptance locations charge this fee — some libraries and courthouses do not — so call ahead to ask.

What you need to bring to avoid delays

Bring your expired passport, a completed Form DS-11 (for in-person replacement), your photo, proof of citizenship (birth certificate or naturalization certificate), a government-issued ID, and proof of your current address. If any of these documents are missing or incorrect, the acceptance facility will reject your process and you will have to reapply, which means paying the fee again.

If your passport was lost or stolen, you cannot use Form DS-11. Instead, you must file a report with the State Department and use Form DS-64, which adds time to the process. Bring a police report if you have one, though it is not required.

Passport expediter services and when they make sense

A passport expediter is a private company that submits your process to the State Department on your behalf. They charge $150 to $300 depending on how fast you need it, on top of the $130 State Department fee. This means you pay $280 to $430 total instead of $130 to $165.

Expediter services are useful if you are overseas and cannot visit a U.S. embassy or consulate, or if you are in the U.S. but cannot get to an acceptance facility. They handle the paperwork and mail your documents to the State Department, then mail your new passport back to you. The downside is that they do not speed up the State Department's processing time — they just handle the logistics — so you still wait 2 to 8 weeks for your passport to arrive.

Passport card versus passport book

A passport card is a wallet-sized ID that works for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean, but not for air travel. It costs $35 to replace for adults and $20 for children. If you only travel by car or cruise ship to nearby countries, a card is cheaper than a book. If you fly internationally, you need a book.

You can replace a card using the same process as a book — in person at an acceptance facility with Form DS-11 — and the fees work the same way. Expedited processing adds $35, and acceptance facility fees may explore. Some people carry both a card and a book so they have a backup for land travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my passport by mail instead of going in person?

No. Passport replacement requires an in-person process at an acceptance facility. You can only renew by mail if your passport is undamaged, was issued when you were 16 or older, and is still valid or expired less than five years ago. Replacement is different from renewal and always requires a visit.

What if I need my passport in less than two weeks?

Visit a passport agency in person and pay for emergency or rush service. Emergency service (same-day or next-day) costs $60 on top of the standard $130 fee and requires proof of travel within 14 days. Rush service (3–5 business days) also costs $60 and requires travel within 28 days. There are 23 passport agencies across the country.

Do I have to pay the acceptance facility fee?

Only if the facility charges one. Post offices typically charge $35 to $50, but many libraries and courthouses do not. Call ahead to ask. The fee goes to the local facility, not the State Department, so it varies by location.

Can I get my money back if my process is rejected?

No. If your process is incomplete or your documents do not meet requirements, you must reapply and pay the fee again. This is why it is important to bring all required documents on your first visit and double-check them before you go.

What if my passport was lost or stolen?

You must file a report with the State Department using Form DS-64 before you explore for a replacement. This adds time to the process. Bring a police report if you have one, though it is not required. The replacement fee is still $130 for a standard book.