How much does a U.S. passport cost?
A first-time adult U.S. passport book costs $165 in 2026 ($130 application + $35 acceptance fee). Renewals by mail are $130; expedited service adds $60.
Key takeaways
- A first-time adult passport book is $165 ($130 + $35 acceptance fee).
- Renewing by mail costs $130 — no acceptance fee.
- A passport card alone is far cheaper: $65 first-time, $30 to renew.
- Expedited processing adds $60; faster shipping costs extra.
- Fees are fixed nationwide by the U.S. Department of State.
A first-time adult U.S. passport book costs $165 — a $130 application fee plus a $35 acceptance (execution) fee. Renewing by mail costs $130. Expedited processing adds $60, and faster return shipping is extra.
What a U.S. passport costs in 2026
U.S. passport fees are fixed charges set by the Department of State, so the price is the same wherever you apply — the variation comes from what you order (book, card, or both), whether it is a first application or a renewal, and how fast you need it.
| What you get | Application fee | Acceptance fee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult book — first time (16+) | $130 | $35 | $165 |
| Adult book — renewal by mail | $130 | — | $130 |
| Passport card — first time | $30 | $35 | $65 |
| Book + card — first time | $160 | $35 | $195 |
| Child book (under 16) | $100 | $35 | $135 |
What moves the price
- First-time vs renewal: renewals by mail skip the $35 acceptance fee.
- Expedited service: adds $60 on top of the fees above.
- Faster shipping: paying for 1–2 day delivery of the finished passport costs extra.
- Photos: a passport photo from a drugstore or shipping store typically runs $10–$17 if you don’t take your own.
Fees are set by the U.S. Department of State and were last checked against the official fee table on the date shown above.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a U.S. passport in 2026?
A first-time adult passport book is $165 — a $130 application fee plus a $35 acceptance fee. A renewal by mail is $130.
Why is a renewal cheaper than a first-time passport?
Eligible renewals are done by mail, which skips the $35 in-person acceptance (execution) fee, so you pay only the $130 application fee.
How much does it cost to expedite a passport?
Expedited processing adds $60 to the standard fees. Paying for faster 1–2 day delivery of the finished passport is an additional charge.
Is the passport card cheaper?
Yes. A first-time passport card is $65 ($30 + $35 acceptance fee) and a renewal is $30, but the card is only valid for land and sea travel to a limited set of countries, not international air travel.
