US Passport Cost 2026: New & Renewal Fees

The US passport fees have been stable since the last fee increase in 2022, and the 2026 schedule is the same: $130 for a new adult passport book, $35 execution fee, $30 for a passport card, $60 for expedited processing. The total out-of-pocket cost for a first-time adult applicant is $165, plus another $80 to $100 if you need the passport within 3 weeks. The right way to think about the cost is that the fees themselves are fixed, but the urgency and the application method change the total. A renewal by mail costs $130 flat, a new adult application by mail (for a previously issued passport within 15 years) is the same $130, and a first-time in-person application adds the $35 execution fee. This guide walks through the fees, the processing times, the expedited options, the child passport fees, the passport book vs card choice, and how to apply, so the number on the application matches the number on the receipt.

Fees, processing times, and application requirements cited are drawn from the US Department of State's 2026 passport fee schedule, and they reflect what is charged as of publication — verify with travel.state.gov before you apply, because the State Department is the authoritative source and fees can change with legislation.

US Passport Cost 2026 at a Glance

The table below summarizes the standard US passport fees in 2026. The right cost depends on whether you are a first-time applicant, renewing by mail, applying for a child, or adding a passport card.

New Passport Fees (Adult)

A new US passport book for an adult costs $130 in application fee plus a $35 execution fee, for a total of $165 in 2026. The execution fee is the fee charged by the acceptance facility (typically a post office, county clerk, or other authorized location) for processing the application, and it applies to first-time applicants and to most in-person renewals. The $35 execution fee is paid separately from the $130 application fee (the application fee goes to the US Department of State, the execution fee goes to the acceptance facility), and both are typically paid at the time of application. The right way to budget for a new adult passport is $165 for the application plus $15 to $25 for the passport photo and the optional overnight delivery of the new passport, for a total of $185 to $210 out of pocket.

The new adult passport is valid for 10 years, and the validity begins on the issue date, not the application date. The 10-year validity is the standard for adult passports (16 and older), and a passport that has more than 5 years of remaining validity can be renewed by mail, while a passport with less than 5 years of remaining validity has to be renewed in person as a new application. The right time to renew is 9 to 12 months before the expiration date, because many countries require 6 months of remaining validity for entry, and the renewal processing time can be 6 to 8 weeks.

Passport Renewal Fees

An adult passport book renewal by mail costs $130 in 2026, with no execution fee, for a total of $130 out of pocket. The renewal by mail is the cheapest and simplest way to renew, and the application is processed in 6 to 8 weeks (2 to 3 weeks with expedited processing). The eligibility for renewal by mail is that the previous passport must be undamaged, must have been issued when you were 16 or older, must have been issued within the last 15 years, and must be in your current name (or you can document a name change with a marriage certificate or court order). If any of those conditions are not met, the renewal has to be done in person as a new application, and the $35 execution fee applies.

The renewal form is DS-82, and the application package is mailed to the address specified on the form (which depends on whether you are using routine or expedited processing, and on your state of residence). The right way to handle a renewal is to fill out the form online using the State Department's passport form filler, print it on single-sided paper, sign it with a black ink pen, include a new passport photo, include the previous passport, include a check or money order for $130, and mail it via USPS Priority Mail or higher. The State Department also accepts credit card payment through the form filler for an additional processing fee, but the check or money order is the standard and most reliable method.

Child Passport Fees

A child's US passport (under 16) costs $100 in application fee plus a $35 execution fee, for a total of $135 in 2026. The child passport is valid for 5 years (not 10, like an adult passport), and both parents or guardians must appear in person at the acceptance facility to consent to the application. The first-time child application has to be in person, and renewals can be done by mail if the previous passport is undamaged and was issued within the last 5 years. The expedited processing fee is the same $60 for child passports, and the total expedited cost for a new child application is $135 + $60 + $19 = $214.

The two-parent consent requirement is the most common source of delay for child passport applications. If one parent cannot appear in person, the absent parent must provide a notarized statement of consent (Form DS-3053) and a copy of their ID, and the statement must be included with the application. The right way to plan is to coordinate the in-person appointment with both parents' schedules well in advance, because the notarized consent adds at least 1 to 2 weeks to the process if the absent parent is traveling or otherwise unavailable.

Expedited and Same-Day Service

Expedited processing for a US passport costs an additional $60 on top of the standard application fee, and reduces the processing time from 6 to 8 weeks to 2 to 3 weeks. The expedited fee can be added to any application (new, renewal, or child) and is paid at the time of application. The 1 to 2 day overnight delivery of the completed passport is a separate fee of $19 to $22, and is the standard way to receive an expedited passport.

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 for urgent travel 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.

Passport Book vs Passport Card

A US passport book is the standard international travel document, valid for entry by air, land, and sea to all countries, and it costs $130 for a new adult application or renewal. A US passport card is a wallet-sized card valid only for land and sea border crossings to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda, and it costs $30 for a new adult card or $65 for a new book plus card together. The passport card is the right addition for travelers who take frequent road trips to Mexico or Canada but do not fly internationally, because the card is cheaper to renew and easier to carry.

The passport card is also Real ID-compliant, which means it can be used as a Real ID for domestic air travel starting in 2026 and beyond. The right way to decide is to apply for both if you cross the border by land or sea at all, because the cost difference between book alone and book plus card is only $35, and the convenience is meaningful. The card renewal by mail is the same form DS-82 and the same $160 fee (book plus card together), so the renewal of both is also a single transaction.

Payment Methods

The application fee ($130 for adult, $100 for child) can be paid by check, money order, or credit card. The State Department accepts credit card payment through the online form filler for a small processing fee, but the standard and most reliable method is a check or money order made out to the US Department of State. The execution fee ($35) is paid at the acceptance facility and can be paid by cash, check, money order, or credit card depending on the facility. The expedited fee ($60) is paid with the application fee. The passport photo fee ($15 to $25) is paid at the acceptance facility or at the photo provider (most CVS, Walgreens, and AAA offices offer passport photos for $15 to $17). The right way to plan is to bring multiple forms of payment to the acceptance facility, because some facilities do not accept credit cards or have cash-only policies.

How to Apply

The right way to apply depends on whether you are a first-time applicant, a renewal by mail, or a child application. First-time adult applicants must apply in person at an acceptance facility, which is typically a post office, county clerk, or other authorized location. The application form is DS-11, which you fill out and sign but do not sign until you are in front of the acceptance agent. The required documents are proof of US citizenship (birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or previous passport), a valid photo ID, a passport photo, and the application and execution fees. The application is then mailed by the acceptance facility to the State Department, and the new passport is mailed back to you.

Renewal by mail uses form DS-82, which you fill out online, sign, and mail with your previous passport, a new passport photo, and the $130 application fee. The renewal is processed by mail and avoids the in-person appointment. Child applications must be in person with both parents or guardians consenting, and the required documents include the child's birth certificate, both parents' IDs, and the child's passport photo.

The right time to start is 3 to 6 months before international travel, because the routine processing time plus mailing back and forth can run 8 to 10 weeks total. Travelers with confirmed international travel within 14 days can make an appointment at a regional passport agency for urgent service.

Bottom Line

A US passport book in 2026 costs $130 for a new adult application plus a $35 execution fee (total $165), $130 for a renewal by mail, $100 plus $35 (total $135) for a child under 16, and $30 for a passport card. Expedited processing adds $60 and reduces the routine 6 to 8 weeks to 2 to 3 weeks, and overnight return delivery is another $19 to $22. The total out-of-pocket cost for a routine first-time adult application is $165 plus the passport photo, and the total for an expedited first-time application is $244 including overnight return. The right way to plan is to apply at least 3 months before international travel, to use the State Department's online form filler to fill out the form before the in-person appointment, and to bring multiple forms of payment to the acceptance facility. The right passport for you depends on whether you are a first-time applicant, a renewal, or a child, and on whether you need a book, a card, or both. Verify your specific fees and processing times on travel.state.gov before you apply, because the State Department is the authoritative source and the fees can change with legislation.