How Much Does Passport Replacement Cost

Current Passport Replacement Fees for U.S. Citizens

The cost of replacing a U.S. passport depends on several factors, including your age, the type of passport you need, and how quickly you want it processed. As of 2024, the State Department charges specific fees for passport replacements that are broken down into two parts: the execution fee and the acceptance fee.

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For an adult passport book replacement (for those 16 and older), the execution fee is $130. If you're using a post office or acceptance facility, you'll also pay an acceptance fee of $35, bringing your total to $165. However, if you're replacing your passport by mail through the State Department's passport agency, you only pay the $130 execution fee without the acceptance fee.

For minors under 16, the execution fee for a passport book replacement is $100, plus the $35 acceptance fee at a post office or acceptance facility, totaling $135. Like adults, minors using the mail-in replacement option skip the acceptance fee.

Passport cards, which are smaller and valid for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean, cost $30 for the execution fee plus the $35 acceptance fee ($65 total) for adults. For minors, it's $20 for execution plus $35 acceptance ($55 total). These prices represent the standard replacement costs without expedited services.

Practical Takeaway: Budget between $130 and $165 for a standard adult passport replacement, and between $100 and $135 for a minor's replacement, depending on whether you use mail-in or in-person services.

Understanding Expedited Processing Fees

If you need your passport replaced faster than the standard processing time, the State Department offers expedited service at an additional cost. Expedited processing typically takes 7–11 business days compared to the standard 6–8 weeks for routine service.

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The expedited processing fee is an additional $60 on top of your regular execution and acceptance fees. For example, an adult seeking expedited passport replacement at a post office would pay $130 (execution) + $35 (acceptance) + $60 (expedited) = $225 total. If using mail-in expedited service, you'd pay $130 + $60 = $190.

Rush service is available for an additional $70 fee when combined with expedited processing. Rush service aims to produce your passport in 1–3 business days when you apply in person at a passport agency office. This would bring an adult's total cost to $130 + $70 = $200 for execution and rush service (no acceptance fee when applying at an agency), or $130 + $35 + $60 + $70 = $295 if starting at a post office with full expedited and rush services.

The State Department does not charge expedited or rush fees for passport replacements by mail for routine situations. These fees only apply when you're requesting faster service than the standard 6–8 week window.

Practical Takeaway: Expect to pay an additional $60 for expedited service or $70 for rush service, depending on your timeline and method of replacement.

Hidden Costs: Photos, Documents, and Supporting Materials

Beyond the official State Department fees, several additional expenses often come into play when replacing a passport. These costs aren't collected by the State Department but by vendors or service providers and can significantly impact your total spending.

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Passport photos are required for all replacements. The State Department specifies that photos must be 2x2 inches in size, in color, and meet specific guidelines regarding background, expression, and positioning. Professional passport photos from photographers typically cost $10–$20 per photo. Some drugstores and pharmacies offer this service for similar prices. While you technically need only one photo to submit, many people purchase extras.

If your passport was lost, stolen, or significantly damaged, you may need to provide supporting documentation such as a police report (for theft) or affidavits. Creating these documents may require notarization, which typically costs $5–$25 depending on your state and the notary service used.

Shipping and mailing costs may also apply, particularly if you're mailing your replacement request to a passport agency rather than processing it in person. USPS Priority Mail for sending documents to an agency costs around $8–$15 depending on distance. If you receive your new passport by mail, the agency handles return shipping at no extra charge unless you request overnight delivery, which costs approximately $20–$30.

Practical Takeaway: Budget an additional $20–$50 for photos, documentation, and potential shipping costs when calculating your total passport replacement expense.

Different Replacement Scenarios and Their Costs

The total cost of replacing your passport varies significantly depending on your specific situation. Understanding these scenarios helps you budget accurately for your replacement needs.

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Routine Replacement by Mail: If your passport is still valid or expired less than five years ago (for adults) or three years ago (for minors and those over 75), you can use the mail-in renewal form. This costs $130 for adults ($20 for minors under 16) with no acceptance fee. The total is simply the execution fee, making this the least expensive option at $130 or $20.

In-Person Replacement at a Post Office or Acceptance Facility: Required when your passport was lost or stolen, or when you need to update personal information. Standard cost is $130 (execution) + $35 (acceptance) = $165 for adults. Processing takes 6–8 weeks.

Replacement at a Passport Agency Office: You can apply in person at one of 23 passport agencies across the country. The fee remains $130 for execution without the $35 acceptance fee. However, you must make an appointment, and some locations charge additional fees through appointment scheduling services. Processing typically takes 2–3 weeks.

Expedited In-Person Replacement: Applying in person at a post office with expedited service costs $130 + $35 + $60 = $225 and takes 7–11 business days.

Rush Service at an Agency: The fastest option costs $130 + $70 = $200 and produces your passport in 1–3 business days when you apply at a passport agency office in person.

Practical Takeaway: Your specific circumstances—whether your passport was lost, stolen, or just expired—determine which replacement method is required and what costs you'll incur.

Methods for Submitting Your Replacement Request

The method you choose to submit your passport replacement request directly affects the fees you pay and the timeline for receiving your new passport. Understanding each method helps you make an informed decision.

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Mail-In Replacement (Form DS-11 Not Applicable): You can renew your passport by mail if you're renewing (not replacing) and meet specific criteria. This is the most economical method at just the execution fee ($130 for adults). You send your application, photo, and old passport to the State Department address provided on the form. Processing takes 6–8 weeks, and there's no acceptance fee. This method works only for routine renewals when your passport hasn't been significantly damaged, lost, or stolen.

Post Office or Acceptance Facility Application: The United States has thousands of designated post offices and acceptance facilities where you can submit your replacement in person. You'll pay the execution fee ($130 for adults) and the acceptance fee ($35), totaling $165. An acceptance agent reviews your documents to ensure they're complete. Processing takes 6–8 weeks from submission, and you can add expedited service for an additional $60. This method is widely available and convenient for most Americans.

Passport Agency Office Application: There are 23 passport agencies located in major cities. Applying here costs the execution fee ($130 for adults) with no acceptance fee. You must schedule an appointment in advance, sometimes through a third-party scheduling service that may charge a convenience fee ($0–$20 depending on the service). Processing takes 2–3 weeks. Some agencies offer walk-in service on a limited basis. This option is