How Long Does It Take to Get a Passport? 2026 Times and Fees
Quick answer: As of November 2026, the US State Department says routine passport processing takes 4 to 6 weeks and expedited service ($60 extra) takes 2 to 3 weeks. Those times do not include mailing, so allow up to two weeks for your application to arrive and up to two weeks for the passport to reach you. If you travel internationally within 14 days, you can request an urgent appointment at a passport agency or centre. A first-time adult passport book costs $165 ($130 plus a $35 acceptance fee); an adult renewal by mail or online costs $130.
Booked a winter getaway, a spring break trip or a family visit abroad and just realised your passport has expired? You are not alone. Demand for US passports has hit record levels in recent years, and the time it takes depends heavily on whether you apply for the first time or renew, and whether you pay to speed things up.
Here is how long it takes, what it costs and how to get one fast if you are short on time.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Passport in the US?
| Service | Processing time (as of Nov 2026) | Extra cost |
|---|---|---|
| Routine | 4 to 6 weeks | None |
| Expedited | 2 to 3 weeks | $60 |
| Urgent travel (within 14 days) | In-person appointment at a passport agency or centre | $60 expedite fee |
| Life-or-death emergency (within 72 hours) | Emergency appointment for qualifying cases | $60 expedite fee |
The State Department stresses that processing times start when it receives your application, not when you mail it, and do not include delivery time. That means a routine application can realistically take two months or more door to door. Check the latest times on the State Department’s processing times page before you apply, as they change with demand.
How Much Does a US Passport Cost?
The State Department’s fee chart, last updated in February 2026, sets the following fees:
| What you need | Form | Application fee | Acceptance fee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-time adult passport book | DS-11 | $130 | $35 | $165 |
| First-time adult book and card | DS-11 | $160 | $35 | $195 |
| Child under 16, book | DS-11 | $100 | $35 | $135 |
| Adult renewal, book | DS-82 or online | $130 | None | $130 |
| Expedited service (optional) | Any | $60 | — | +$60 |
| 1 to 3 day return delivery (optional) | Any | $22.05 | — | +$22.05 |
The application fee goes to the State Department, while the $35 acceptance fee is paid separately to the post office, library or other facility that takes your application. A passport card costs less but is only valid for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean. It cannot be used for international flights.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Passport for the First Time?
First-time applicants must apply in person at an acceptance facility, such as many post offices, libraries and county clerk offices, using form DS-11. The standard 4 to 6 week routine time applies, but you also need to factor in getting an appointment, which can take a week or more in busy areas. You will need:
- Proof of US citizenship, such as an original or certified birth certificate or naturalisation certificate
- A valid photo ID, such as a driver’s licence, plus a photocopy
- One passport photo meeting State Department requirements
- Payment for both the application and acceptance fees
How Long Does It Take to Renew a Passport?
Renewals follow the same processing times but are usually quicker overall because you can apply by mail with form DS-82 or, if eligible, online. Online renewal generally suits adults whose most recent passport was issued when they were 16 or older, was valid for 10 years, and was issued within the past 15 years. It is not available if you need to travel urgently.
How Can I Get a Passport Fast?
- Pay to expedite. Adding $60 cuts processing to 2 to 3 weeks.
- Pay for 1 to 3 day return delivery ($22.05) so the finished passport is not slowed by standard mail.
- Send your application by a trackable, overnight service so it arrives quickly.
- Book an urgent appointment if you have international travel within 14 days, or need a foreign visa within 28 days. You must bring proof of travel, such as a ticket or itinerary.
- For life-or-death emergencies, such as the serious illness or death of an immediate family member abroad, call the National Passport Information Center to request an emergency appointment.
- Beware of private expediters promising guarantees. Only the State Department issues passports, and expediters cannot jump the queue.
Do I Need a Passport to Fly Within the US?
No. For domestic flights, a REAL ID-compliant driver’s licence or another accepted ID is enough. Since REAL ID enforcement began on 7 May 2025, TSA no longer accepts older, non-compliant licences at airport checkpoints. A passport is an accepted alternative, so it can be handy if your licence is not REAL ID-compliant. You do need a passport book for flights to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and everywhere else abroad. Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and Guam are US territories, so a passport is not required for US citizens.
How Far in Advance Should I Apply?
Apply at least three months before you travel if you can, and longer before the spring and summer peaks. Also check the validity rules for your destination. Many countries, including those in Europe’s Schengen area, require your passport to be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure date, and some countries require six months. If you are heading to Europe, our guide to EES and ETIAS explains the new border systems for American travellers, and our UK ETA guide covers the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I check my passport application status?
Use the State Department’s online status tool. Applications can take up to two weeks to show in the system after you mail them.
Can I get a passport in one day?
Possibly, in a genuine emergency or for urgent travel within 14 days, through an appointment at a passport agency or centre. Appointments are limited, so call as early as you can.
How long is a US passport valid?
Ten years for adults aged 16 and over, and five years for children under 16.
Can I travel while my passport is being renewed?
Not internationally, because you send your old passport with a renewal application. Plan renewals around your travel dates.
Is it faster to apply at a post office?
Not for processing. Acceptance facilities forward applications to the State Department, so routine and expedited times are the same. The benefit is convenience and help checking your paperwork.
The Bottom Line
Allow at least six to eight weeks for a routine passport and three to four weeks if you expedite, including mailing. If you are already inside two weeks of an international trip, book an urgent appointment rather than mailing an application. And once the passport is sorted, consider whether travel insurance is worth it for your trip.
Related Reading
- EES and ETIAS Explained: Europe’s New Border Rules for American Travellers
- UK ETA Explained: Who Needs One, How Much It Costs and How to Apply
- Is Travel Insurance Worth It?
- Thanksgiving Travel 2026: Busiest and Best Days to Fly and Drive
Featured image: Spain, South Korea, Australia, and Mexico U.S. passport stamps, by Michael Grabois (User:Wizardimps) / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0. Cropped, colour-graded and combined with MediaPavilion branding.
Sources
- US Department of State — Get Your Processing Time.
- US Department of State — United States Passport Fees for Acceptance Facilities (fee chart) (February 2026).
- US Department of State — Get Your Passport Fast.
- US Department of State — Renew Your Passport Online.
- Transportation Security Administration — REAL ID.
