Quick answer
Yes. If you get a new passport, you need a new ESTA. An approval is valid only for the passport you applied with, so you must submit a new application and pay the $40.62 fee again.
Checked on November 13, 2026 against the official ESTA FAQ (esta.cbp.dhs.gov).
- An ESTA is generally valid for two years from approval or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
- You cannot extend or renew an ESTA. You always submit a new application.
- The fee is $40.62 if the application is approved, or $10.62 if it is denied.
On this page
Who needs a new ESTA and who does not
Your ESTA is linked to one specific passport. If you will present a different passport at the border, you need an approval for that passport.
| Your situation | New ESTA needed? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You received a new passport after your old one expired | Yes | The approval covers only the passport you applied with |
| You received a replacement passport after loss or theft | Yes | It is a new passport |
| Details in your passport changed | Yes | CBP requires a new application when passport information changes |
| Your name changed through marriage, divorce or other legal proceedings | Yes | You must apply for a new ESTA before you travel |
| You hold two passports and will travel on the other one | Yes, for that passport | You need an approval for the passport you will use |
| Same passport, nothing changed, ESTA still valid | No | You do not need to reapply while a valid approved ESTA is in place |
| Same passport, ESTA two years old and expired | Yes | An ESTA cannot be renewed; a new application costs $40.62 |
How to apply with your new passport
The process is the same as your first application. You apply on the official website, esta.cbp.dhs.gov. For the full process, see our guide on how to apply for ESTA step by step.
- Check that your new passport is an e-passport. Since April 1, 2016, all Visa Waiver Program travelers need one.
- Check its validity. Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure from the United States, unless your country has an exemption agreement.
- Start a new application on esta.cbp.dhs.gov and enter the details exactly as they appear in the new passport.
- Pay $40.62 for the application.
- Wait for approval before you travel, and travel on the passport you applied with.
Passport rules are covered in more detail in ESTA requirements: passport, eligibility and exclusions.
Special cases
Name change without a new passport yet
After a name change through marriage, divorce or other legal proceedings, CBP asks you to apply for a new ESTA before you travel. The details in your ESTA must match the passport you will present.
The fee change
The ESTA fee rose from $40.27 to $40.62. CBP planned to start collecting the new amount on October 16, 2026. Every new application, including one for a new passport, is charged the full fee. See ESTA cost and validity for details.
What a new ESTA does not change
A new approval does not give you a longer stay. You still travel under Visa Waiver Program terms, which allow a maximum of 90 days. An ESTA is not a visa and does not replace one where a visa is required. If you are unsure which you need, read ESTA or visa: which one do you need.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay again for a new ESTA?
Yes. Each new application costs $40.62 if it is approved, or $10.62 if it is denied.
Does every family member with a new passport need a new ESTA?
Yes. Each traveler must have an approval for the passport they will use. One person’s new ESTA does not cover anyone else.
What if my new passport is not an e-passport?
You cannot use it under the Visa Waiver Program. Since April 1, 2016, all Visa Waiver Program travelers must have an e-passport.
More answers are in our ESTA questions and answers.
Sources
- ESTA Frequently Asked Questions – esta.cbp.dhs.gov
- FAQ about the Visa Waiver Program and ESTA – cbp.gov
- Visa Waiver Program – travel.state.gov
This guide is general information, not legal or immigration advice. US Visa Entry is an independent website and is not connected with the US government.