US Passport Fees (2026): Full Schedule & Breakdown
Last updated: September 1, 2026
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Passport book fees | ||
| Adult book, first time (application + execution) | $165.00 | Form DS-11 in person |
| Adult book, mail renewal (DS-82) | $130.00 | No execution fee when eligible |
| Child book under 16 (application + execution) | $135.00 | Always in person |
| Passport card fees | ||
| Adult card, first time (application + execution) | $65.00 | Not valid for air travel |
| Adult card, mail renewal | $30.00 | When DS-82 eligible |
| Child card (application + execution) | $50.00 | In person only |
| Book and card together (first time, one execution) | $195.00 | Combined cost page |
| Optional add-ons | ||
| Expedite fee | $60.00 | Faster processing, not same-day agency service |
| 1-2 day return delivery | $21.36 | Return shipping only; does not expedite processing |
| File search | $150.00 | When citizenship cannot be proven with standard documents |
| Typical photo | $15.00 | Estimate, not a government fee |
Application fee vs execution fee
Application fees go to the U.S. Department of State for processing your file. Execution fees ($35.00) go to the acceptance facility that witnesses DS-11. Mail renewals on DS-82 skip execution because no clerk takes part. That's why renewal is $130.00 while first-time is $165.00.
Which fees are optional
Expedite ($60.00), 1-2 day return delivery ($21.36), and photo money ($15.00) are choices you make at application time. The calculator adds only what you select.
Fee history
Congress raised passport fees substantially in December 2021. Adult book application moved to $130.00 and execution to $35.00 for most in-person DS-11 files. Fees can change again by federal rulemaking. Check the official schedule before you write checks.
Adult vs child fee lines
Minors under 16 use different application amounts and always apply in person, so execution always applies. There is no child mail renewal on DS-82. Scenario page: child passport cost.
How to pay at an acceptance facility
Facilities often want separate payments: check or money order payable to “U.S. Department of State” for the application fee and a separate payment for execution to the facility. Card rules vary by location. Photo money is paid to a shop unless the site sells photos. See photo requirements.
Using this table with the calculator
Summing rows by hand misses execution on in-person files. The calculator applies the same config as this table. Processing ranges live on processing times.
Frequently asked questions
Do I pay the $35.00 execution fee for renewal?
No, if you still qualify to mail Form DS-82. Execution applies when you apply in person on DS-11. See adult renewal cost and eligibility.
What is the file search fee?
The file search ($150.00) is for applicants who cannot prove U.S. citizenship with a birth certificate, prior passport, or naturalization certificate. Most applicants never pay this.
Are passport fees tax deductible?
For most people, no. Passport fees are generally a personal expense. We are not tax advisers; ask a CPA if your situation is unusual.
Are fees refundable?
Application and execution fees are generally not refunded if your application is denied. That's why eligibility matters before you pay, especially on mail renewal.
What's the difference between expedite and overnight return?
Expedite ($60.00) buys faster work on the file. Overnight return ($21.36) buys faster shipping after the book exists. It does not move you ahead in the queue.
Where do scenario totals live?
Dedicated pages with eligibility and documents: first-time adult, renewal, child, card, expedited, lost/stolen, book and card.
Calculate your exact total
Answer a few questions. The calculator applies execution, expedite, photo, and delivery only when your path requires them.
Calculate your passport cost