Booking a flight is the easy part. Figuring out how much does it cost to get a passport is where most first time travelers get stuck, because the number on the government website is rarely the number you actually pay.
Between application fees, execution charges, delivery add ons, and rush service, the final total can swing by more than a hundred dollars or pounds depending on how you apply. This guide breaks down the real, current costs for the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, using the official fee schedules published by each government, so you can budget accurately before you fill out a single form.
We will walk through adult and child fees, renewal pricing, expedited options, and the small extra charges that catch people off guard, from acceptance facility fees to postage. By the end, you will know exactly what to expect no matter which of these three countries you are applying from.
Image prompt for H1: A flat lay photograph showing a US passport book, a UK passport, and a Canadian passport arranged neatly on a wooden desk next to a calculator, cash, and a pen, soft natural lighting, top down angle. ALT text: how much does it cost to get a passport comparison of US UK Canada passport books.
Passport Costs at a Glance
If you only need the headline numbers, here they are before we go deeper.
| Country | Adult New Passport | Adult Renewal | Child Passport |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $165 (book) | $130 (mail or online) | $135 (book) |
| United Kingdom | ยฃ102 (online) | ยฃ102 (online) | ยฃ66.50 (online) |
| Canada | $163.50 CAD (10 year) | $163.50 CAD (10 year) | $58.50 CAD (5 year) |
These are base figures. Rush processing, courier delivery, and in person facility fees are extra, and we cover every one of them below.
United States Passport Fees Explained
The United States splits its passport pricing into two separate charges for most first time applicants: an application fee paid to the government, and a facility fee paid to wherever you submit your paperwork.
First Time Adult Passport Cost in the US
If you are 16 or older and applying for the first time, you will use Form DS-11 and pay both fees. According to the official fee schedule, a passport book costs $130 in application fees plus a $35 facility acceptance fee, a passport card costs $30 plus the same $35 facility fee, and getting both the book and card together costs $160 plus $35. That puts a standard first time passport book at $165 total before any extras.
You can find the complete adult passport fee breakdown on the State Department’s official site, and you can apply for your adult passport through the same portal.
US Passport Renewal Cost
Renewals are cheaper because most adults can skip the in person facility fee entirely. Eligible adults renewing by mail or online pay $130 for a passport book, $30 for a card, or $160 for both, with no separate acceptance fee attached. You can check whether you qualify and start the process through renewing your passport online or renewing by mail.
Child Passport Cost in the US
Every child under 16 must apply in person with a parent or guardian, and there are no renewals for minors since every application is treated as new. A child’s passport book costs $100 in application fees, a passport card costs $15, and both together cost $115, each on top of the same $35 facility fee. Details are on the child passport application page.
Expedited and Rush Fees
Need it faster than the standard timeline? Expedited service adds $60 per application, and if you want your finished passport delivered in one to three days after it is mailed, that adds another $22.05. You can review current processing windows on the passport processing time page before deciding if the rush fee is worth it.
| US Passport Fee Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Adult passport book (new) | $130 + $35 facility fee |
| Adult passport card (new) | $30 + $35 facility fee |
| Adult renewal (book) | $130, no facility fee |
| Child passport book | $100 + $35 facility fee |
| Expedited service | +$60 |
| 1 to 3 day return delivery | +$22.05 |
| File search (if citizenship proof is missing) | $150 |
A note on states: passport fees are federal and identical whether you apply in California, Texas, New York, Florida, or any other state. What changes by location is how easy it is to find an acceptance facility and how quickly your nearest regional passport agency can see you, since major hubs like New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago tend to have shorter appointment waits than smaller cities.
United Kingdom Passport Fees Explained
Home Office fees rose in April 2026, so if you have seen older numbers floating around, they are already out of date.
Adult Passport Cost in the UK
As of 8 April 2026, a standard online application from within the UK costs ยฃ102 for adults, up from the previous ยฃ94.50, while postal applications cost ยฃ115.50, up from ยฃ107. Online is almost always the cheaper and faster route, and applications go through gov.uk’s apply or renew passport service.
Child Passport Cost in the UK
Children’s online applications rose to ยฃ66.50 from ยฃ61.50, and postal applications for children now cost ยฃ80, up from ยฃ74. Every child passport, whether it is a first application or a renewal, goes through the same first adult and child passport guidance on gov.uk.
UK Fast Track and Premium Service
If your travel is coming up fast, the Home Office offers paid priority tiers. The premium one day service made from within the UK rose to ยฃ239.50 from ยฃ222, and separate reporting confirms the Fast Track one week service sits at ยฃ166.50 for adults. Premium same day service is only available to adults renewing an existing passport, not first time applicants.
Applying From Overseas
British nationals applying from abroad, including from Canada, Australia, or the United States, pay a higher rate. Overseas standard applications rose to ยฃ116.50 online and ยฃ130 by post for adults, and to ยฃ75.50 online and ยฃ89 by post for children.
| UK Passport Fee Type | Cost (From 8 April 2026) |
|---|---|
| Adult online (in UK) | ยฃ102 |
| Adult postal (in UK) | ยฃ115.50 |
| Child online (in UK) | ยฃ66.50 |
| Child postal (in UK) | ยฃ80 |
| Fast Track (1 week) | ยฃ166.50 |
| Premium (1 day, adults only) | ยฃ239.50 |
| Adult online (overseas) | ยฃ116.50 |
The famous cities and regions of the UK, from London and Manchester to Edinburgh and Cardiff, all pay identical national fees. Location only affects how far you travel to a passport office for Fast Track or Premium appointments, since those in person services run through a handful of regional centers rather than every town.
Image prompt for UK section: A UK passport lying open on a map of Britain with London, Manchester, and Edinburgh marked, a British postbox red color accent, editorial photography style. ALT text: UK passport fees across England Scotland and Wales 2026.
Canada Passport Fees Explained
Canada’s passport prices stayed flat for over a decade before a fresh fee increase that took effect for applications received on or after March 31, 2026.
Adult Passport Cost in Canada
A 10 year regular adult passport applied for within Canada now costs $163.50, up from $160, and a 5 year adult passport costs $122.50, up from $120. You can start your application through the Government of Canada’s adult passport service.
Child Passport Cost in Canada
A 5 year child passport for applicants under 16 rose to $58.50 from $57. Children cannot get a 10 year passport regardless of how the application is submitted, since Canadian rules cap child validity at five years.
Renewing a Canadian Passport
If your last adult passport is still valid or expired less than a year ago, you likely qualify for the simplified renewal process using Form PPTC 054 instead of the full first time application. Pricing is the same as a new adult passport, and eligibility details are on the renew simplified passport page.
Applying From Outside Canada
For Canadians living outside the country, a 10 year adult passport now costs $266.25, up from $260, and a 5 year adult passport costs $194.25, up from $190. This higher rate reflects the added consular processing involved in handling applications from abroad.
Faster Processing in Canada
Canada does not charge a flat expedite fee the way the US does. Instead, pricing depends on the pickup method you choose at a passport office, with express and urgent same day pickup carrying additional charges on top of the base passport fee.
| Canada Passport Fee Type | Cost (From March 31, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Adult 10 year (in Canada) | $163.50 CAD |
| Adult 5 year (in Canada) | $122.50 CAD |
| Child 5 year (in Canada) | $58.50 CAD |
| Adult 10 year (outside Canada) | $266.25 CAD |
| Lost or stolen replacement fee | $45 CAD |
Canada’s most populous provinces, including Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta, all pay the same national schedule. What differs is processing speed, since larger cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver tend to have more Service Canada passport office appointment slots available than rural regions.
Image prompt for Canada section: A Canadian passport next to a maple leaf and a Service Canada office building sign, warm autumn lighting, professional travel blog photography. ALT text: Canada passport fees 2026 for adults and children.
What Actually Makes Up the Total Cost
The advertised application fee is rarely the full story. Here is what typically gets added on in every country.
- Passport photos. Budget $10 to $20 in the US, roughly ยฃ6 to ยฃ15 in the UK for a digital photo, and around $15 to $20 CAD in Canada for a commercial photographer.
- Proof of identity documents. Certified copies of birth certificates or citizenship evidence sometimes carry their own small fees from the issuing agency.
- Postage and tracked delivery. Mailing your application securely, and sometimes your supporting documents, adds a few extra dollars or pounds.
- In person facility or acceptance fees. The US charges this separately from the government application fee, while the UK and Canada tend to bundle it into their standard price.
- Expedited or priority service. Every country charges more for speed, and this is usually the single largest optional add on.
Expert Tips to Save Money on Your Passport
A few practical habits can shave real money off your total bill.
- Apply online where it is offered. In the UK, online applications are consistently cheaper than paper ones, and in the US, online renewal avoids the $35 facility fee entirely for eligible adults.
- Check renewal eligibility before assuming you need a first time application. First time fees are almost always higher because they include in person verification costs.
- Avoid last minute rush fees by tracking your expiry date. Many countries require six months of validity remaining before you travel, so renewing early avoids paying for expedited processing later.
- Take your own digital photo instead of paying a studio, as long as it meets the strict background and lighting rules published by each government.
- Bundle family applications when a discount or shared documentation step is available, particularly for Canadian households applying together.
Image prompt: A person sitting at a kitchen table calculating passport costs on a laptop with a notepad and passport photos nearby, warm homey lighting. ALT text: tips to save money on passport application fees 2026.
Pros and Cons of Paying for Expedited Passport Service
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Passport arrives in days instead of weeks | Adds $60, up to ยฃ137.50, or extra courier charges depending on country |
| Useful for last minute travel or emergencies | Non refundable in most cases if you simply miss the standard window |
| Available at most major passport offices | Requires an in person appointment in several countries, adding travel time |
| Can be combined with faster return delivery | Does not guarantee approval if your documents are incomplete |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to get a passport for the first time?
In the US, a first time adult passport book costs $165 total once the application and facility fees are combined. In the UK, it is ยฃ102 online. In Canada, a 10 year adult passport costs $163.50 CAD.
Is renewing a passport cheaper than applying for a new one?
In the US, yes, since eligible renewals skip the $35 facility fee. In the UK and Canada, renewal pricing is generally the same as a first time adult application.
How much does it cost for a child’s passport?
Costs are $135 for a US child passport book with the facility fee included, ยฃ66.50 for a UK child passport online, and $58.50 CAD for a Canadian 5 year child passport.
Do passport fees vary by state or province?
No. All three countries charge the same national fee regardless of which state, province, or region you apply from. Only appointment availability and wait times vary by location.
How much extra does expedited service cost?
In the US, expedited processing adds a flat $60. In the UK, Fast Track service costs ยฃ166.50 and Premium same day service costs ยฃ239.50. Canada’s faster pickup options carry additional charges on top of the base fee at the time of application.
Conclusion
Passport pricing looks simple until you actually sit down to apply, and then the application fee, facility charge, photo cost, and optional rush service all add up fast. Knowing the real 2026 numbers for the US, UK, and Canada before you start means no surprises at the counter and no last minute scrambling if a fee has changed since you last checked.
Compare your options above, decide whether standard or expedited processing fits your travel timeline, and head to your country’s official passport portal to begin your application with confidence.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, immigration, or financial advice. Passport fees change periodically. Always confirm current pricing directly with the official government passport authority for your country before submitting payment.