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.
How to save on a U.S. passport
- Renew by mail when eligible rather than applying in person, since renewals skip the separate execution fee first-timers pay.
- Take your own compliant passport photo at home or use a low-cost pharmacy service instead of a premium photo studio.
- Skip optional expedited service and overnight return shipping if your travel date is far enough out to use routine processing.
- Order only a passport book if you fly; add the card only if you truly need land or sea border crossings.
- Apply well before you travel so you are never forced to pay rush fees close to a trip.
- Check whether your minor child qualifies for the lower child-passport fee before applying.
- Use a public acceptance facility such as a post office or library rather than a paid third-party expediter.
Cost scenarios
Budget: Around $130 reflects the base application fee portion for an adult passport book under 2026 U.S. fees.
Typical: About $165 covers a first-time adult passport book including both the application and the required execution (acceptance) fees.
Premium: Up to $225 reflects adding optional expedited processing on top of the standard first-time fees.
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.
How we estimate this
Every figure on this page is compiled from the public sources cited above and given as a low–typical–high range rather than a single false-precise number. Where costs vary by location we scale the national typical using published state price levels. We recheck figures on a set schedule and stamp each report with the date last verified. We are independent and are never paid to change a number — see how we price things.
