Passport card vs. passport book: which one you need

What the passport card is for

The passport card is valid for entering the U.S. by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and some Caribbean destinations, and as an alternative to REAL ID for domestic flights. It is not valid for international air travel.⁴

So the key question is simple: will you fly to another country? If yes, you need the book. The card is an extra option for the land and sea trips above and for domestic flights.

How long each one lasts

Both the book and the card are valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for children under 16.⁵

Book, card or both

• Book only: you fly abroad, or you travel to places the card does not cover.
• Card only: you only cross by land or sea to the destinations the card covers, or you want it as ID for domestic flights.
• Both: you do both kinds of travel.

The same forms are used for both; asking for the book and card together saves one $35 acceptance fee compared with applying separately.⁶

Travel a lot and collect visas? You can ask for a larger book with more visa pages. Its extra cost is in the table below.

Which form you use

You don't need a separate form for the card. If you can renew by mail, use Form DS-82 (see Renew your U.S. passport by mail). If it is your first passport, or you can't renew by mail, apply in person with Form DS-11 (see First adult passport). Children apply in person: see Passport for a child.

Step by step

Checklist

Before you choose

Print checklist

• You know if any trip includes a flight to another country
• You know if you will cross by land or sea to a destination the card covers
• The right form: Form DS-82 by mail or Form DS-11 in person
• Book, card or both marked on the form
• Larger book requested, if you need more visa pages
• One passport photo that meets the official rules
• Payment for the government fees, plus the acceptance fee if you apply in person

Do and don't

Do

• Get the book if any trip includes an international flight.
• Ask for the book and the card on the same application if you want both.
• Check the entry rules of your destination before a land or sea trip.

Don't

• Don't count on the card to board a flight to another country.
• Don't apply for the book and the card separately if you want both: in person, that means paying the acceptance fee twice.
• Don't expect faster return delivery for a card: that option is for books only.

Fees

These are government fees, separate from any Passmere fee.

By mail or at an acceptance facility, pay the application fee with a check or money order payable to "U.S. Department of State", with the applicant's name and date of birth in the memo. The acceptance fee is paid separately to the facility. Online renewals are paid by credit or debit card.¹⁴

Frequently asked questions