Passport Cost Special Cases 2026: Lost, Damaged, Expedited

The standard US passport cost is $165 for a new adult application and $130 for a renewal, but the real-world cases that come up most often are not the standard ones. Lost, damaged, expedited, child edge cases, and second passports each have their own fee structure, and the international variants (UK, Canada, Australia) follow their own fee schedules. This guide covers the special cases that the standard passport fee pages do not, with the specific fees, the specific forms, and the specific timelines for each. The total out-of-pocket cost for the most common special case (a lost passport with expedited replacement) is $244 in the US, and the timeline is 2 to 3 weeks. The right way to think about passport special cases is that the fees are predictable, but the timeline is where most travelers get caught out of position.

Fees, processing times, and application requirements cited are drawn from the US Department of State's 2026 passport fee schedule, the UK Government's passport fees page, the Government of Canada's passport fees page, and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade passport fees page, all as of publication — verify with the issuing agency before you apply, because fees and processing times can change with legislation and seasonal demand.

Passport Special Cases at a Glance

The table below summarizes the fees for the most common passport special cases in the US in 2026. The right cost depends on the case, the processing speed, and whether the application is in person or by mail.

Lost Passport Cost and Process

Replacing a lost US passport costs the same as a new passport: $130 application fee plus a $35 execution fee, for a total of $165 in 2026. The application is form DS-11 (in person at an acceptance facility), and you must also fill out form DS-64 to report the passport as lost or stolen. The DS-64 can be filed online at the State Department's website, by mail, or in person at the acceptance facility, and the report is added to the State Department's lost/stolen passport database, which means the lost passport number is invalidated and the passport cannot be used for travel even if you find it later.

The total time from loss to replacement in hand is 4 to 8 weeks routine, or 2 to 3 weeks with expedited processing. The right way to handle a lost passport while traveling internationally is to report it to the nearest US embassy or consulate, which can issue an emergency passport for travel home (typically valid for 1 year, not the standard 10). The emergency passport fee is the same $165 plus any expedited or courier fees, and the emergency appointment is usually available within 1 to 3 business days.

Damaged Passport Cost

Replacing a damaged US passport costs the same as a new passport: $130 application fee plus a $35 execution fee, for a total of $165 in 2026. The application is form DS-11 (in person at an acceptance facility), and you must submit the damaged passport with the application. The State Department defines 'damaged' as any passport that is torn, water-damaged, has unreadable data on the biographic page, or has been substantially altered. A passport with normal wear (a little dirt, a slight bend, the corners slightly rounded) is not considered damaged and can be renewed by mail.

The right way to handle a damaged passport is to take a photo of the damage before you mail it, in case the State Department denies the renewal and you need to appeal. The most common reason for denial is that the State Department determines the damage was intentional, which can happen if the photo page has been replaced or if the biographic data has been altered. A denial triggers a written appeal process that can take 60 to 90 days, which is why the photo documentation is the first line of defense.

Expedited and Same-Day Passport

Expedited US passport processing costs an additional $60 on top of the standard application fee in 2026, and reduces the routine processing time from 6 to 8 weeks to 2 to 3 weeks. The expedited fee can be added to any application (new, renewal, replacement, child) and is paid at the time of application. The 1 to 2 day overnight return delivery of the completed passport is a separate fee of $19 to $22, and is the standard way to receive an expedited passport. The total cost for an expedited new adult passport is $165 + $60 + $19 = $244, and the total for an expedited child passport is $135 + $60 + $19 = $214.

For urgent travel within 14 days, the only option is an appointment at one of the 26 regional passport agencies, which provide same-day or next-day service for life-or-death emergencies or urgent travel within 14 days. The appointment requires proof of upcoming travel (a flight confirmation, a cruise booking, a hotel reservation), and the processing is done in person within 24 to 72 hours. The expedited and overnight fees still apply. The right way to plan is to call 1-877-487-2778 as soon as the travel is confirmed, because appointment availability is limited and same-day appointments are rare.

Child Passport Edge Cases

The child passport special cases that add cost or complexity include: a child under 1 year old (photo and signature requirements are relaxed, but the application is in person), a child between 1 and 16 (must appear in person with both parents), and a child with only one parent available (notarized consent form DS-3053 from the absent parent required). The DS-3053 form must be signed in front of a notary public, and the absent parent must include a copy of their valid ID with the form. The right time to plan for a child passport is 4 to 6 months before international travel, because the two-parent consent requirement and the in-person appointment can add delays if one parent is traveling or otherwise unavailable.

The cost for a child passport edge case is the same as a standard child passport: $100 application fee plus $35 execution fee, for a total of $135. The notarization of the DS-3053 typically costs $5 to $15 at a bank, UPS store, or other notary, and the courier for the notarized form is another $5 to $10. The total out-of-pocket cost for a child passport with one parent absent is $155 to $165, plus the $60 expedited fee if needed.

UK Passport Cost (Lost, Damaged, Expedited)

A standard adult UK passport (10-year) costs £88.50 online or £100 by post in 2026. A child UK passport (5-year) costs £57.50 online or £69 by post. A lost or stolen UK passport replacement costs the same as a new passport, with no additional fee. Express/expedited UK passport processing (1-week service) costs an additional £19.75 on top of the standard fee, and the 1-day premium service costs £155 on top of the standard fee. The application is online at the UK government website (gov.uk) for renewals and replacements, and by post for first-time applications. The right way to handle a UK passport is to apply online for the standard fee, then add the 1-week expedited service only if you have confirmed travel within 6 weeks.

The UK passport is more expensive than the US passport in nominal terms (£88.50 vs $130), but the processing time is generally faster (3 to 6 weeks routine vs 6 to 8 weeks US), and the online application is simpler than the US mail-in renewal. The right way to think about the UK passport fee is that the standard £88.50 covers the routine processing, the £19.75 expedited covers the 1-week processing, and the £155 1-day premium is a genuine emergency fee that should only be used for life-or-death situations.

Canada Passport Cost

A standard adult Canadian passport (10-year) costs CAD 160 in 2026. A child Canadian passport (5-year) costs CAD 57. The application is in person at a Service Canada center, and the processing time is 10 business days routine, or 2 to 9 business days with urgent processing. Urgent processing in Canada costs an additional CAD 110 to CAD 230, depending on the pickup location. The right way to handle a Canadian passport is to apply in person at a Service Canada center with all required documents, and to add urgent processing only if you have confirmed travel within 3 weeks.

The processing time in Canada is generally faster than in the US, because the Canadian passport system is centralized and uses mail-in renewals for most applicants. The cost is comparable to the US passport in nominal terms (CAD 160 ≈ $120), but the in-person requirement is the main difference. The right way to plan is to gather all required documents (proof of citizenship, two photos, two references, guarantor declaration) before going to the Service Canada center, because missing documents are the most common cause of processing delays.

Australia Passport Cost

A standard adult Australian passport (10-year) costs AUD 308 in 2026. A child Australian passport (5-year) costs AUD 154. The application is online through the Australian Passport Office for renewals, and by post or in person at an Australia Post outlet for first-time applications. The processing time is 6 weeks routine, and there is no official expedited processing, although priority processing is available for genuine emergencies. The lost or stolen Australian passport replacement costs the same as a new passport, with no additional fee.

The Australian passport is the most expensive of the major Anglophone passports in nominal terms (AUD 308 ≈ $200), but the 10-year validity and the centralized processing system make it a reliable option. The right way to handle an Australian passport is to apply online through myPassport for renewals, and to use the Australia Post outlet for first-time applications, because the post office can verify the identity documents in person and submit the application on your behalf.

Second Passport for Frequent Travelers

A second US passport is available for travelers who need a concurrent passport, typically because they travel to countries with conflicting visa requirements (e.g., Israel and several Arab countries) or because they need a passport for travel while a visa application is being processed. The second passport costs the same as a new passport ($165), but requires a letter of justification explaining why a single passport is not sufficient. The application is in person at a regional passport agency, and the second passport is typically valid for 2 to 4 years, not the standard 10. The right way to apply is to write a one-page letter explaining the specific travel pattern, attach copies of upcoming itineraries, and make an appointment at a regional passport agency.

Bottom Line

The US passport cost in special cases 2026 is the same as the standard fee: $165 for a new adult application, $130 for a renewal, $135 for a child under 16. The lost, damaged, and expedited cases add time and complexity but not much additional cost beyond the $60 expedited fee and the $19 to $22 overnight return. The UK, Canada, and Australia follow their own fee schedules (£88.50, CAD 160, AUD 308 for standard adult applications), and the right choice depends on which country issued your current passport. The right way to plan is to apply at least 3 months before international travel for standard processing, to add the $60 expedited fee for travel within 8 weeks, and to schedule a regional passport agency appointment for travel within 14 days. Verify your specific fees and processing times with the issuing agency before you apply, because the special cases are the most common source of unexpected delays and the most common source of overpayments when travelers pay for expedited service they did not need.