What Expedited Passport Fees Cost and When You'll Pay Them

Expedited processing costs extra, and the fee depends on your passport type and how fast you need it

An expedited passport fee is an additional charge on top of your base passport cost. The State Department charges this fee when you need your passport faster than the standard 6 to 8 week timeline. For a passport book, expedited processing costs $60 extra. For a passport card, it costs $35 extra. These are flat fees added to whatever you already owe for the passport itself — they do not vary by how urgent your situation is, and paying more does not make the process faster than the expedited timeline itself.

Expedited processing typically takes 2 to 3 weeks from the moment the State Department receives your application. That timeline assumes your paperwork is complete and correct. If documents are missing or rejected, the clock resets when you resubmit. You still need to account for mailing time to and from the passport agency — sending your application by mail and receiving your passport back can add another week or more depending on your location and postal service speed.

You cannot pay extra to jump ahead of the expedited queue. The fee buys you a faster processing category, not priority within that category. If the State Department is backlogged, expedited applications still move through in the order they arrived, just faster than standard ones.

Key Takeaways

• Expedited passport processing costs $60 for a book or $35 for a card, added to your base passport fee.
• Expedited processing takes 2 to 3 weeks from receipt at the State Department, not including mailing time in either direction.
• You must apply in person at a passport acceptance facility or agency to use expedited processing — you cannot use the mail-in option.
• Paying the expedited fee does not may provide a specific delivery date or move you ahead of other expedited applications.
• If your documents are incomplete or rejected, you must resubmit and the processing timeline starts over.

Where you apply determines whether expedited is even an option

You can only use expedited processing if you apply in person at a passport acceptance facility or a State Department passport agency. If you mail in your application, expedited is not available — you are locked into standard processing, which takes 6 to 8 weeks or longer during peak travel seasons.

Passport acceptance facilities are post offices, libraries, and county clerk offices that accept passport applications but do not process them. They forward your paperwork to a State Department facility. Applying at an acceptance facility with expedited processing still means your application goes through the mail to a processing center, so you add mailing time on both ends. State Department passport agencies are located in major cities and process applications on-site, which can shorten the overall timeline because your paperwork does not have to travel as far.

To find a passport acceptance facility near you, use the State Department's facility locator on travel.state.gov. To find a passport agency, search for "passport agency near me" — there are 27 agencies nationwide, mostly in large metropolitan areas. Some agencies accept walk-ins, but most require an appointment. Book your appointment as soon as you know you need expedited processing, because appointment slots fill weeks in advance during busy travel seasons.

What documents and fees you need to bring to your appointment

Bring your completed application form (DS-11 for a new passport or DS-82 for a renewal, depending on your situation), your proof of citizenship, a government-issued photo ID, and a new passport photo. You also need to bring payment for both the base passport fee and the expedited fee. The base fee for a passport book is $130 for an adult; for a passport card it is $35. Add the expedited fee on top of that amount.

Payment methods vary by facility. Most passport agencies and many acceptance facilities take cash, check, or credit card. Some smaller acceptance facilities only take check or money order. Call ahead or check the facility's website to confirm what they accept before you go, because you cannot process your application if you cannot pay on the spot.

If you are renewing a passport and your old one is not damaged or lost, you may be able to use form DS-82 instead of DS-11, which is simpler. However, DS-82 renewals must be done by mail and cannot use expedited processing. If you need your passport fast, you must apply in person with DS-11, even if you are technically renewing.

How mailing time affects your actual delivery date

The 2 to 3 week expedited processing timeline starts when the State Department receives your application, not when you submit it at the facility. If you apply at a passport acceptance facility, your paperwork goes into the mail first. Depending on where you live and where the nearest processing center is, that can take 3 to 7 days. Once processed, your new passport is mailed back to you, which adds another 3 to 7 days.

If you apply at a State Department passport agency, processing happens immediately and your passport is mailed to you from there, cutting out one leg of the mail journey. This is why applying directly at an agency is faster than applying at an acceptance facility, even though both use the same expedited processing fee.

The State Department does not track individual passports or provide delivery confirmation. Once your passport is mailed, you have no way to check its status. Plan for the full timeline — 2 to 3 weeks processing plus mailing time — and do not assume it will arrive by a specific date. If your travel date is fewer than 4 weeks away, ask the facility staff whether they think expedited processing will get your passport to you in time, because they see the current backlog.

Rush passport services and same-day options cost more and have strict limits

If expedited processing will not get your passport to you in time, the State Department offers a rush service that processes applications in 1 to 2 business days. Rush processing costs $70 extra on top of the expedited fee, so your total additional cost is $130 for a book ($60 expedited plus $70 rush). Rush service is only available at State Department passport agencies, not at acceptance facilities.

Same-day passport service exists but is extremely limited. You must apply in person at a passport agency, have a travel date within 72 hours, and show proof of your flight or travel plans. Same-day service costs $110 extra. These services are designed for genuine emergencies, not for poor planning, and staff will ask questions about why you are traveling on such short notice.

Not all passport agencies offer rush or same-day service. Call the agency directly before you go, because some locations only handle standard and expedited applications. If the nearest agency to you does not offer rush service, you may need to travel to a larger city that does.

What happens if your application is rejected or incomplete

If the State Department finds a problem with your application — a missing signature, an incorrect photo, a document that does not meet requirements — they will reject it and send it back to you. You then have to fix the problem and resubmit. The processing timeline starts over from the day they receive your resubmission, not from your original application date.

Common rejection reasons include passport photos that are the wrong size, do not show your full face, or were taken more than 6 months ago; missing or illegible documents; and incomplete application forms. Before you go to your appointment, check the State Department's photo requirements and document checklist on travel.state.gov. Bring originals of all documents, not copies, because the State Department needs to see and verify the originals.

If you are close to your travel date and worried about rejection, ask the facility staff to review your documents before you officially submit. Some facilities will do a quick check to catch obvious problems, though they cannot may provide acceptance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay extra to get my passport even faster than expedited?

Yes, but only at State Department passport agencies. Rush processing (1 to 2 business days) costs $70 extra, and same-day service (within 72 hours) costs $110 extra. Both require proof of imminent travel and are only available at agencies, not acceptance facilities. Not all agencies offer these services, so call ahead.

Do I have to pay the expedited fee if I apply at a passport agency instead of a regular acceptance facility?

Yes. The expedited fee is the same whether you apply at an agency or an acceptance facility — $60 for a book, $35 for a card. The difference is that applying at an agency is faster overall because your paperwork does not have to travel by mail to a processing center.

What if I pay for expedited processing but my passport does not arrive before my trip?

The State Department does not refund expedited fees if your passport does not arrive by a specific date. You have no recourse for a late passport. This is why you should ask staff whether expedited processing will realistically get your passport to you in time before you pay and apply.

Can I use expedited processing if I am renewing my passport by mail?

No. Mail-in renewals only use standard processing. If you need your passport faster, you must apply in person at a passport acceptance facility or agency using form DS-11, even if you are technically renewing an existing passport.

Do I need an appointment to apply for expedited processing?

At passport agencies, yes — most require appointments and they book weeks in advance. At acceptance facilities, it depends on the location. Some take walk-ins, others require appointments. Check your specific facility's website or call ahead to confirm.