U.S. Passport Fees 2026: Routine, Expedited, & More

Last Verified: January 2026 | Fact-checked by U.S. Passport Service Guide Staff

The total cost of your passport fees will depend on several factors, including: the passport type, the passport services you require and any optional services you might need or want to add on.

If you are in a rush, a passport expediting service can help simplify this process, but if you choose to apply on your own, this guide will help.

Note: If you don't pay the correct fees, your passport application will be delayed or denied.

Current Passport Fee Tables: Quick Links

• New Passports
• Passport Renewal
• Minor Passports
• Optional Services
• Special Services
• Payment Instructions
• Passport Fee FAQs

Understanding Passport Fees

Passport costs are split into two distinct payments: the Application Fee (paid to the State Department) and the Execution Fee (paid to the acceptance facility). You must pay these separately.

Mandatory Fees

• Application Fee: A required fee for most passport applications that will vary depending on the type of application you are submitting
• Acceptance/Execution Fee: An additional fee for first-time applicants or those reapplying after a lost or stolen passport, payable at passport acceptance facilities

Optional Fees

• Expedited Processing: For an additional fee (currently $60), you can opt for faster processing of your passport application.
• 1-to-2-Day Delivery: Opt for expedited shipping of your passport with Priority Mail Express for an additional fee (currently $21.36 ).
• File Search Fee: If your citizenship documents are missing, you can request a file search for an additional fee.

No-Cost Services

• Correction of Printing Errors: If your passport has a printing error, the correction is made free of charge.
• Name Change*: If you need to change the name on a passport issued within the last 12 months, this service is provided at no cost.

  *If it has been longer than 12 months since your passport was issued, you will have to either renew your passport or apply for a new one.

Additional Expenses

Don't forget to budget for these hidden costs:

• Passport Photos: Costs associated with obtaining passport-standard photographs will vary depending on where you get your passport photos taken.
• Supporting Documents: Fees for procuring necessary documents, like a birth certificate.
• Submission Costs: Expenses related to sending your application to the appropriate agency or center, including postage or travel costs.

While the State Department's fee calculator offers a helpful starting point, it might not reflect the full extent of your costs.

Use the 2026 fee charts below to calculate your exact total to the penny. Incorrect payment amounts are a top cause of application delays or denials.

What Does a Passport Cost?

Carefully read the information below to be sure that your payment is correct. Know that submitting incorrect passport fees or form of payment will delay the processing of your application.

Note: Form DS-11 is used to apply for a new passport or to replace a lost, stolen or damaged one. All applicants submitting this form must apply in person at an Acceptance Facility (which include most post offices), Regional Passport Agency or, if currently outside the United States, at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate General.

Applicants who need new passports expedited quickly but are unable to personally visit the regional agency should apply through a passport expediting service.

Related Links

• New Passport Requirements (Book and Card)
• Passport Card information
• Payment Instructions

The US passport renewal fee is paid by those submitting application Form DS-82. Adult renewal applicants in the U.S. may apply by mail (which we recommend).

You can also apply in person at a Regional Passport Agency if you have urgent international travel needs within 14 days or a life or death emergency that requires travel within 72 hours. Adult applicants outside the U.S. must apply through a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

You cannot apply for a passport renewal at a post office or other passport acceptance facility.

Applicants who need their passport renewals expedited but are unable to personally visit the regional agency should apply through a passport expediting service.

Related Links

• Passport Renewal Requirements (Book and Card)
• Passport Card information
• Payment Instructions

Use Form DS-11 to apply for a child's passport. All Minor applicants ages 15 or younger, including those who are replacing a previous passport, must apply in person at an Acceptance Facility, Regional Passport Agency, a U.S. Embassy, or American Consulate.

Applicants who need passports expedited quickly but are unable to personally visit the regional agency should apply through a passport expediting service.

Related Links

• Special Requirements for Children Under Age 16
• New Passport Requirements (Book and Card)
• Passport Card information
• Payment Instructions

Why Your Passport May Cost More

Please note that the actual total cost of getting a passport is more than the sum of the fees paid to the U.S. government. There are additional expenses that are not listed below such as postage, the price of a passport photo, and a protective envelope to send the application form. These are just a few of the extra costs you should expect when applying for a new travel document.

If you need a passport faster than the 4 to 6 weeks it takes for routine service, you can add the expedited service fee to the total payment. This will reduce your wait to 2 to 3 weeks

We recommend you also add the cost of 1 to 2 days delivery when sending the application by mail. This is not required if you submit the form at a regional agency, however, you will need to provide proof of imminent/urgent international travel to use this option. Note that this is not an option for passport cards. Passport cards are shipped via First Class Mail only.

If the 2 to 3 weeks turnaround offered through typical expedited service is not fast enough or you are unable to visit a processing center, you should apply online for expedited service through a registered courier service. By doing so, you could get your passport as quickly as the same day you apply.

Common Payment Mistakes to Avoid

Submitting incorrect fees is one of the most common reasons for processing delays. To ensure your application is processed without interruption, avoid these mistakes:

• Do Not Combine Application and Execution Fees: These are paid to two separate entities. The Application Fee is paid to the U.S. Department of State, while the Execution Fee is paid directly to the acceptance facility. Combining them into one check will cause your application to be rejected.
• Check Writing Tip: In the bottom-left "Memo" line of your check or money order, you must write the Applicant's Full Name and Date of Birth. This ensures your payment is tracked to your specific application if they get separated.
• Use Separate Checks for Family Applications: If mailing renewals for multiple family members, write a separate check for each applicant. If you use one check for the total amount and make a calculation error, the State Department will suspend every application in the envelope. Individual checks protect the rest of your family's applications if one has an error.

Passport Fees for Optional Services

Expedited Service

Fee: $60 (Applicants in the U.S. only)

See important information about Application Processing Times and follow the instructions on How to Get Your Passport Fast.

When requesting this service, pay the $60.00 Expedited Service Fee for each application, in addition to the required fees noted above.

Passport Book 1-2 Day Delivery

Fee: $21.36

The State Department uses **USPS Priority Mail Express**, which guarantees delivery in 1-2 days depending on your zip code. While "overnight" is not guaranteed for every location, this is the fastest official shipping method available.

Please note, this fastest delivery service is not available for passport cards, which are delivered via First Class Mail only.

To request 1-2 Day Delivery, pay the $21.36 1-2 Day Delivery fee for each application, in addition to the required fees noted above.

File Search

Fee: $150

Required when applicant is unable to present evidence of citizenship.

Expert Note: This fee is necessary only if you cannot obtain a certified copy of your birth certificate or previous passport. Ordering a replacement birth certificate from your state is usually significantly cheaper ($20-$50) than paying this $150 fee.

In addition to the passport application, submit a written request for File Search to verify a previous U.S. Passport or Consular Report of Birth Abroad.

Applicants who are overseas and whose passport was lost or stolen are exempt from paying the File Search Fee. For more information, see emergency passport, 22 CFR 22.1 Item No. 6.

Passport Fees for Special Services

Data Error Correction

Fee: $0

Use form DS-5504.

See important information on Correcting or Changing Information in Your Passport.

Name Change

Fee: Varies

Fee and form for a passport name change vary depending on circumstances.

• Applicants ages 16 or older whose passports were issued less than a year ago, pay no fee.
• Applicants ages 16 or older who passports were issued more than a year ago, need to apply for a renewal using form DS-82 and pay the renewal fee.
• Applicants ages 16 or older who do not have official documentation of a legal name change, must apply for a new passport.
• Applicants ages 15 or younger must apply for a new passport and pay the appropriate fee.

Passport Fee Payment Instructions

Using the wrong payment method is a common reason for application delays. Accepted payment types vary significantly depending on how you apply.

Please Note: The Application Fee is a non-refundable processing fee retained by the State Department whether or not your passport is issued. (The $60 expedited service fee may be refundable if processing times are missed).

Online Passport Renewal (State Dept System)

All Fees:

• Credit or Debit Card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover)
• ACH (Bank Transfer) from a U.S. bank account
• Payment is processed securely via Pay.gov at the time of submission.

Renewal by Mail (Form DS-82)

All Fees:

• Checks: Personal, certified, cashier's, or traveler's checks payable to "U.S. Department of State."
• Money Orders: U.S. Postal, international, or currency exchange money orders payable to "U.S. Department of State."
• NO Credit/Debit Cards: You cannot pay by card when renewing by mail.
• Note for Canadian Applicants: Checks must be drawn from a U.S. financial institution in U.S. dollars.

Acceptance Facility (New Applicants)

You will make two separate payments:

1. Application Fee (To State Dept):

• Check or Money Order payable to "U.S. Department of State"
• NO Credit/Debit cards accepted for this specific fee.

2. Execution Fee ($35 Paid to Facility):

• Money Orders (Accepted at all locations)
• Personal Checks or Cash (Exact change only; varies by location)
• Credit Cards (Accepted at most U.S. Post Offices and some Clerk of Court locations-verify beforehand).

Passport Agency (In-Person Expedited)

All Fees:

• Credit/Debit Cards (Visa, MasterCard, AmEx, Discover)
• Checks (Personal, certified, cashier's) or Money Orders payable to "U.S. Department of State"
• Cash (Exact amount only)
• Pre-paid credit cards or gift cards (Visa/MasterCard logo)

U.S. Embassy or Consulate

All Fees:

• Payment methods vary by country. Check the specific U.S. Embassy website where you plan to apply.

Top 5 Questions About Expedited Passport Couriers