How Much Does a Passport Cost?
Last updated: April 5, 2026 by the How Much Does That Cost? editorial team. Estimates are informational - see our methodology.
A U.S. passport costs $130 to $165 for most first-time adult applicants, averaging $165 for a standard passport book — this is a fixed government fee set by the State Department, not something that varies by shopping around. Renewing by mail costs less ($130) since it skips the in-person execution fee, while a passport card alone is much cheaper ($30-$65).
The base fee only covers routine processing, which typically takes 6-8 weeks. Expedited service adds $60, and travelers with imminent international trips may also pay for rush return shipping. Use the calculator below to estimate your total based on applicant type and how fast you need it.
Quick Answer
Typical range: $130 – $225
Low end
$30
High end
$300+
Actual pricing varies by location, project size, materials, labor rates, and job complexity. Use the calculator below for an estimate tailored to your project.
a Passport Cost Calculator
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Estimated Project Cost
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Typical estimate: —
This is an estimate, not a quote. Actual pricing depends on your specific project details and local contractor pricing.
Cost Breakdown
How a typical project budget breaks down by category.
| Category | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Passport book application fee | $130 – $130 |
| Execution/acceptance fee (in-person applications) | $35 – $35 |
| Passport photo | $10 – $20 |
| Optional expedited processing fee | $0 – $60 |
| Optional 1-2 day rush return shipping | $0 – $40 |
What Affects the Cost
First-time application vs. renewal
Renewing an adult passport by mail costs $130 and skips the in-person execution fee entirely, while a first-time applicant must appear in person and pay an additional $35 execution fee, bringing the total to $165.
Adult vs. minor applicant
A passport for a child under 16 costs $135 ($100 application fee + $35 execution fee), and minors must always apply in person with both parents or guardians present, regardless of whether it's a first passport or renewal.
Book, card, or both
The passport book ($130-$165) is required for any international air travel. The passport card ($30-$65) is a cheaper option valid only for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
Processing speed
Routine processing is included in the base fee and currently takes about 6-8 weeks. Expedited service adds a flat $60 government fee and cuts that to roughly 2-3 weeks.
In-person execution fee
Anyone applying in person at an acceptance facility or post office pays a $35 execution fee on top of the application fee; this is waived only for eligible adult renewals submitted by mail.
Photos and optional extras
A compliant passport photo (often $10-$20 at a pharmacy or shipping store) and optional expedited return shipping are the main add-on costs beyond the government fee itself.
DIY vs. Hiring a Professional
Doing it yourself
Applying yourself at a passport acceptance facility, post office, or by mail costs only the government fees, but requires you to gather documents, get a compliant photo, and handle any application errors or delays on your own.
Hiring a professional
Passport expediting services charge an additional $100-$200+ service fee on top of government fees, but they hand-deliver your application to a regional passport agency, help catch paperwork errors, and can secure urgent turnaround when you're traveling within days.
Bottom line: Apply yourself for any trip more than a couple of months away to avoid extra fees; consider an expediting service only if you're traveling soon and can't get a passport agency appointment yourself.
Ways to Save
- Renew by mail instead of applying in person if you're eligible — this skips the $35 execution fee entirely.
- Skip expedited processing if your trip is more than a couple of months away; routine service is included in the base fee.
- Take your own passport photo using the State Department's photo specifications instead of paying $15-$20 at a photo counter.
- Apply for just the book, or just the card, based on how you actually travel, instead of paying for the combo by default.
- Avoid third-party expediting services and their added fees unless you're facing imminent travel with no agency appointment available.
- Check current processing times before booking travel so you never have to pay a rush fee out of avoidable urgency.
How We Estimated This Cost
We model each calculator from public price ranges, labor data, material pricing, industry surveys, and the regional adjustment method explained in our methodology. Estimates are reviewed for consumer usefulness, then shown as ranges because local quotes, site conditions, materials, and timing can change the final price.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to get a passport?
A first-time adult passport book costs $165 total ($130 application fee plus a $35 in-person execution fee). Renewing by mail costs $130 since the execution fee is waived.
How much does it cost to renew a passport?
Renewing an adult passport book by mail costs $130, with no execution fee required as long as you're eligible to renew by mail (generally issued as an adult, undamaged, and within the last 15 years).
How much does a child's passport cost?
A passport for a minor under 16 costs $135 ($100 application fee plus the $35 execution fee), and both parents or guardians typically must appear in person to apply.
How much does it cost to expedite a passport?
Expedited service adds a flat $60 government fee on top of the standard application cost, cutting processing time from about 6-8 weeks to roughly 2-3 weeks. Urgent travel appointments at a passport agency may add further rush shipping costs.
Is a passport card cheaper than a passport book?
Yes — a passport card costs $30 to renew or $65 for a first-time adult applicant, versus $130-$165 for the book, but the card only works for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, not for flying internationally.