How to Get a US Passport in 2026: Fees, Forms and How Long It Takes

Quick answer: A first adult US passport book costs $165 ($130 to the State Department plus a $35 acceptance fee) and you apply in person with Form DS-11. Renewing an adult book costs $130 by mail with Form DS-82, or online if you qualify. Routine processing takes 4 to 6 weeks and expedited takes 2 to 3 weeks for an extra $60, plus up to 2 weeks of mailing each way. The State Department says October to December is its least busy time, so now is a good time to apply.

Most passport delays come from small, avoidable mistakes: the wrong form, a photo with glasses, or a photocopied birth certificate instead of a certified one. This guide covers which form to use, what it costs, what to bring and how long it really takes, using the State Department’s own numbers.

US passport fees in 2026

Optional extras: expedited service is $60. Getting your finished passport back in 1 to 3 days after it is mailed costs $26.87. If you cannot find proof of citizenship, a records file search costs $150.

How to pay: at a post office or other acceptance facility, the State Department fee is paid by check or money order made out to “U.S. Department of State.” The $35 acceptance fee is paid separately to the facility, which sets its own payment methods. Online renewals are paid by credit or debit card.

Which form do you need?

• DS-11 (apply in person): your first passport, anyone under 16, or an adult whose old passport cannot be renewed. You must appear in person at an acceptance facility such as a post office, library or county office.
• DS-82 (renew by mail): adults whose most recent passport meets all the renewal rules below.
• Online renewal: adults who meet the stricter online rules and want routine service.

You can renew by mail if all of these are true

• You can send in your most recent passport, and it has never been reported lost or stolen.
• It was issued within the last 15 years.
• It was issued when you were 16 or older and was valid for 10 years.
• It is in your current name, or you can send a marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order showing the change.
• It is not damaged beyond normal wear and tear.

You can renew online if all of these are true

• Your passport was valid for 10 years and expires within 1 year or expired less than 5 years ago.
• You are 25 or older and are not changing your name or sex.
• You are not traveling for at least 6 weeks. Online renewals cannot be expedited.
• You are in a US state or territory when you apply.

Once you renew online, your old passport is canceled, so do not plan to travel on it.

Also read: REAL ID: What You Need to Fly Domestic

How to apply for your first passport: 6 steps

1. Fill out Form DS-11 online with the State Department’s form filler or by hand. Do not sign it until the acceptance agent tells you to.
2. Bring original proof of citizenship, such as a certified US birth certificate or a previous passport, plus a photocopy of it.
3. Bring a photo ID, such as a driver’s license, and a photocopy of the front and back.
4. Get a passport photo. It must be 2 by 2 inches, in color, taken in the last 6 months, with a plain white or off-white background. Glasses are not allowed.
5. Find an acceptance facility and book an appointment if it requires one. Many post offices do.
6. Pay both fees and keep your receipt. Then track your application at passportstatus.state.gov.

How long does it take?

The State Department warns that mailing time is not part of its processing time. For routine service, plan on roughly 8 to 10 weeks door to door. Its busiest season runs from late winter through summer, so apply between October and December if you can.

Traveling in less than 14 days?

For urgent international travel within 14 calendar days, you need an appointment at one of the State Department’s 26 passport agencies or centers and proof of your trip, such as a ticket or itinerary. Agencies take credit cards, debit cards and contactless payments like Apple Pay.

Passport book vs passport card

• Passport book: works for all international travel, including flights.
• Passport card: a cheaper wallet-sized card that works only for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. It cannot be used for international flights.
• The card also works as a REAL ID-compliant ID for domestic flights. Many people get both.

Passports for children

• All children under 16 must apply in person with Form DS-11. Child passports are valid for 5 years, not 10.
• Both parents or guardians usually need to appear, or the absent parent must sign a notarized consent form (DS-3053).
• Bring proof of the child’s citizenship and proof of the parent relationship, such as a birth certificate listing the parents.

Common mistakes that delay passports

• Bad photos: glasses, shadows, a busy background or an old photo are the top reasons for delays.
• Photocopied birth certificates: you need a certified copy with a raised or multicolored seal, plus a separate photocopy.
• Signing the DS-11 at home: sign only in front of the acceptance agent.
• Booking travel first: don’t buy nonrefundable tickets until you know your timeline.
• Ignoring letters: if the State Department asks for more information, answer quickly. Delays start there.

Lost or stolen passport?

Report it right away so no one else can use it. You can report it with Form DS-64, then apply for a replacement in person with Form DS-11 and the regular first-time fees. If you are traveling soon, book an urgent appointment at a passport agency. Once a passport is reported lost or stolen it is canceled, even if you find it later.

Avoid passport scams

The State Department says the only official place to renew online is opr.travel.state.gov. Sites that end in .com, .us or .org and promise “online passport renewal” may charge extra fees or steal your personal data, even if “Gov” is in the company name. If you paid one by mistake, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

FAQ

Bottom line

Pick the right form, get a good photo, bring an original birth certificate and apply early. Fall and early winter are the State Department’s quiet season, so applying now usually means no expedite fee and no stress before spring travel.

Last reviewed: Oct. 31, 2026. Fees and processing times are from the State Department’s own pages, checked on this date.

Sources: State Department: Passport fees; State Department: Processing times; State Department: Renew online; State Department: Renew by mail.

Featured image: US passport pages with entry stamps. Photo: Michael Grabois via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0; edited by Nexgen Headlines.

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