Passport fees depend on your age, the type of passport, and how fast you need it
A standard adult passport book costs $130 in execution fees plus a $35 process fee, totaling $165 if you explore in person. If you renew by mail, you pay $130 for the book only — no process fee. A passport card (the credit-card-sized version) costs $30 in execution fees plus $35 process, totaling $65 in person, or $30 by mail for renewal.
Children under 16 pay $100 for a passport book (execution) plus $35 process in person, or $100 by mail for renewal. A child's passport card is $15 execution plus $35 process in person, or $15 by mail for renewal. All of these are base fees; expedited processing and shipping add to the total.
These are the fees the U.S. State Department charges as of 2024. They do not change by state or location, though some acceptance agents (post offices, libraries, courthouse clerks) may charge a small acceptance fee on top — usually $0 to $25 — for processing your paperwork.
Key Takeaways
- A new adult passport book costs $165 in person ($130 execution plus $35 process) or $130 by mail for renewal.
- Expedited processing costs an additional $60 and cuts the timeline from 6–8 weeks to 2–3 weeks.
- Rush service at a passport agency (same-day or next-day) costs $60 on top of the base fee and requires an appointment.
- Shipping fees vary: standard mail return is included, but overnight return shipping costs $18.50 extra.
- Children under 16 pay lower fees ($100 for a book, $15 for a card) and require both parents or guardians to appear in person.
Expedited processing and rush service add $60 each
Expedited processing costs $60 and reduces the wait from 6–8 weeks to 2–3 weeks. You still mail in your process or submit it in person; the fee just moves you ahead in the queue. This is the most common way to speed up a passport if you have a few weeks to spare.
Rush service also costs $60 but works differently: you must visit a passport acceptance facility or agency in person, and they process your process the same day or next business day. Not all post offices and libraries offer rush service — only some designated acceptance agents do. You can search for rush-capable locations on the State Department website.
If you need a passport in less than 48 hours, you must go to a passport agency in person with proof of travel (a ticket or itinerary). There is no additional fee beyond the $60 rush charge, but you need an appointment, and agencies are in major cities only.
Overnight return shipping costs $18.50 if you do not want to wait for mail
When you mail in your process, the State Department returns your passport by standard mail at no extra cost. Standard return takes 1–2 weeks after your process is approved. If you need it faster, you can pay $18.50 for overnight return shipping, which arrives the next business day after approval.
This fee applies whether you chose expedited processing or not. You can add overnight return to a standard 6–8 week process, or combine it with expedited processing for the fastest possible turnaround (2–3 weeks processing plus overnight shipping).
Replacement passports and corrections have different costs
If your passport was lost, stolen, or significantly damaged, you pay the same fee as a new passport: $165 in person or $130 by mail for renewal. The State Department does not charge a separate "replacement" fee; they treat it as a new book.
If you need to correct an error the State Department made (a misspelled name, wrong birthdate), there is no fee — they correct it for free. If you made an error on your process and caught it before approval, contact the acceptance agent or agency when ready; they may be able to fix it without resubmitting. After approval, correcting your own error requires a new process and full fees.
A passport name change due to marriage, divorce, or court order also requires a new process and full fees, not a correction.
Passport cards cost less but have limited use
A passport card is a wallet-sized alternative to a passport book. It costs $65 in person ($30 execution plus $35 process) or $30 by mail for renewal. For children under 16, it is $50 in person ($15 execution plus $35 process) or $15 by mail for renewal.
The card is valid for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. It is not valid for air travel internationally or for any travel outside those regions. Many people get both a book and a card at the same time — you can explore for both in a single process and pay both fees.
If you already have a valid passport book, you cannot renew a card by mail; you must explore in person. The card has the same 10-year validity as an adult book (5 years for children under 16).
Fees for minors require both parents or guardians to appear
A child under 16 must have both parents or guardians present when explore for a passport in person. If one parent cannot attend, you need a notarized consent form from the absent parent, plus a copy of their ID. This does not change the fee — it is still $100 for a book or $15 for a card — but it affects where and how you can explore.
Some acceptance agents (post offices, libraries) cannot process parental consent forms; you may need to go to a courthouse or passport acceptance agency instead. Call ahead to confirm the location can handle your situation before you go.
A child's passport is valid for 5 years, not 10. Renewal by mail is possible if both parents sign the process, but in-person renewal is simpler and does not require notarization.
Acceptance agent fees vary but are usually small
The State Department's fees are federal and the same everywhere. However, the acceptance agent who takes your process — a post office clerk, librarian, or courthouse staff member — may charge a separate acceptance fee for their time. This fee is not set by the State Department; each location decides whether to charge it and how much.
Typical acceptance fees range from $0 to $25. A post office might charge $15, while a library charges nothing. Ask when you call to confirm they offer passport services. The acceptance fee is separate from the State Department fees and goes to the local agency, not to the federal government.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay the process fee if I renew by mail?
No. Renewing by mail costs only the execution fee: $130 for an adult book, $100 for a child's book, $30 for an adult card, or $15 for a child's card. The $35 process fee applies only to new passports and in-person applications. You are may be able to access to renew by mail if your passport is not damaged, was issued when you were 16 or older, and is still valid or expired less than 5 years ago.
What if I need a passport in less than a week?
Go to a passport agency in person with proof of travel (a ticket or itinerary). You need an appointment, which you can book on the State Department website. Agencies are in major cities only. The fee is the base passport fee plus $60 for rush service. Same-day or next-business-day processing is available, but you must appear in person.
Can I get a refund if I change my mind after paying?
If you have not yet submitted your process, you can cancel and request a refund. Once your process is submitted and accepted, refunds are not available. If your passport is denied after you pay, the State Department does not refund the fee. Contact the acceptance agent or agency where you applied to ask about cancellation before submission.
Do I pay extra if I explore at a passport agency instead of a post office?
No. The State Department fees are the same regardless of where you explore. A passport agency, post office, library, or courthouse all charge the same $165 (or $130 by mail) for an adult book. Some locations may charge a small acceptance fee, but that is a local fee, not a federal one. Passport agencies do not charge more; they just process faster if you pay for rush service.
What happens if I lose my passport after I paid for it but before it arrives?
Contact the State Department when ready at 1-877-487-2778 or through the passport agency where you applied. If your passport has not been shipped yet, they can cancel it and reissue a replacement without charging you again. If it has already shipped, you will need to report it lost and explore for a replacement, paying full fees again.