What is the passport book and card

In addition to a regular passport, (the Passport book), U.S. citizens have the option of using a smaller, lighter passport card but only if they are traveling by land or sea to certain countries. A passport card is cheaper to get but is only valid for travel to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean islands. The passport book is valid for travel anywhere and is required for international air travel.

Comparison chart

Passport Book versus Passport Card comparison chart
What is the passport book and card
Passport BookPassport Card
ValidityInternational travel by air, sea or land International travel by land and sea only. Valid for travel. Not valid for international travel by air.
Duration of validity10 years for adults, 5 years for minors under 16 10 years for adults, 5 years for minors under 16
Size5’’ x 3.5’’ when closed Wallet-sized
Cost for first time applicants$135 for adults, $105 for under 16s $55 for adults, $40 for under 16s
Cost for renewal$110 for adults $30 for adults
Globally recognized travel documentYes No
Useful forInternational travel Those who live in border communities in the US.
Processing time4-6 weeks; 2 weeks expedited 4-6 weeks; 2 weeks expedited

Appearance

A passport book measures 5"x3.5" when closed. It contains several pages like the passport details page which provides the holder's name,date of birth, passport expiry date etc as well as other blank pages for visa and immigration stamping.

A passport card is a portable pocket sized card (similar to a credit card) that fits in your wallet.

What is the passport book and card

What is the passport book and card

A driver displays Passport Card at the border

What is the passport book and card

What is the passport book and card

A passport book displaying the passport details page

Validity

A passport book is valid for any international travel by air, sea or land. It is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors under 16.

A passport card is valid for travel to and from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda at land border crossings and sea ports-of-entry. It is not valid for air travel. It is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors under 16.

Cost

A first passport book costs $135 for adults and $105 for minors under the age of 16. It costs $110 to renew.

A first passport card costs $55 for adults and $40 for minors under the age of 16. It costs $30 to renew.

The cost when applying for both is $165 for adults and $120 for minors.

Flying Without a Passport (Book)

Q: I am taking a cruise to Mexico and I intend to travel with my passport card because I'm traveling by sea. If I fall sick in Mexico, can I fly back to the U.S.?

A: No. You need a passport book for air travel. The passport card is only valid for entry into the United States at land border crossings or sea ports of entry.

When to Carry Both

Sometimes it makes life more convenient to have both a passport book and a card, and carry them both on your international travel. Some countries require you to carry your passport with you at all times. In such situations, a passport card comes in handy because it is the size of a credit card and fits nicely in a wallet. You can carry your passport card with you at all times and leave the passport book safe in the hotel room locker. The passport card is also a valid form of ID so it is useful to have it on you at all times when traveling abroad.

References

  • The differences between U.S. passport books and cards - travel.state.gov
  • How to apply for a passport

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The U.S. Department of State issues two versions of passports. Besides the traditional passport book, there is also a passport card that differs visually and is used for different purposes.

The passport card is basically an ID card, while the passport book is a normal passport that has enough pages for different stamps and visas. To learn more about the U.S. passport book vs. card, how much they cost and most importantly, which one is suitable for your case – continue reading this article.

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What is the passport book and card

What is a passport book?

A passport book is an official document for international travel by land, sea, or air. For adults (age 16 or older), the books are valid for 10 (ten) years. Travelers under 16 get passports with 5 (five) years of validity.

The U.S. passport book size is 5’’ X 3.5’’ when it is closed.

Your passport in book form can include visas and customs stamps that you acquire before and during visiting foreign countries.

If you’re interested in passports, you can also check out:

  • U.S. Passport Colors: What Do They Mean?
  • What Is the “Type P” Passport?
  • Types of U.S. Passports
  • Emergency Travel with an Expired Passport
  • Italian Passport Renewal in NYC: A Step-by-Step Guide
  • Letter of Authorization to Pick Up Passports
  • Can I Travel if the Names on My Passport and Green Card Don’t Match?

Passport book cost

First-time applicants that are 16 and older will have to pay a $145.00 passport book fee, whereas in order to get an American passport book if you are under 16, you will have to pay $115.00. If you want to renew your passport book by mail, this will cost you $110.

The urgent passport book price includes delivery that takes 1 (one) to 2 (two) days and costs an additional $17.13 (the usual processing times are between 4 (four) and 6 (six) weeks and 2 (two) weeks for expedited passport books.

Advantages of passport books

The main advantage of the passport book over a passport card is that a passport in book form  can be used for international air travel. Also, it includes 17 pages reserved for  stamps and visas to travel abroad. Therefore, passport books are more convenient when it comes  to acquiring visas for international travel. U.S. passport books are also proof of your US citizenship and identity.

What is a passport card?

The passport card is an official United States document that is used at land border crossings and seaports for several countries.

The U.S. passport cards cannot be used for international air travel but they are alternatives to state issued ID documents.

The passport card is an official United States document that is used at land border crossings and seaports for several countries. The U.S. passport cards cannot be used for international air travel, but they are alternatives to state issued ID documents.

The validity of the U.S. passport card is 5 (five) years if you are under 16. Your United States passport card will be valid for 10 (ten) years if you are older than 16.

List of countries and territories where the U.S. passport card is valid to be used:

  • Canada
  • Mexico
  • The Bahamas
  • Anguilla
  • Bermuda
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Aruba
  • Dominica
  • British Virgin Islands
  • Cayman Islands
  • Dominican Republic
  • Grenada
  • Saint Lucia
  • Caribbean Netherlands
  • Jamaica
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Montserrat
  • Turks and Caicos Islands

Passport card cost

U.S. passport cards are cheaper than passport books.

First-time applicants that are older than 16 pay only $65 to get an American passport card. If you are under 16, you have to pay $50 as the passport card fee.

The renewal of a US passport card can be done by mail and costs $30. You can also opt for First Class mail and your card will be delivered faster.

The processing time is usually 4 (four) to 6 (six) weeks and 2 (two) weeks for the expedited passport card.

Advantages of passport cards

One of the main advantages of the passport card is that it is very convenient, because it’s compact and fits in your wallet. Moreover, it can be used at sea ports of entry or land border crossings when you visit destinations such as Bermuda, Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, and more.

Therefore, if you’re planning to visit such an international destination on one of those closed loop cruises, you can definitely get a passport card as in this case it´s an accepted identification, just like a birth certificate.

Passport cards can also be used as a form of ID when boarding domestic flights. You can also save money if you go for the passport card as U.S. passport cards are less expensive than the American passport book. Also, a U.S. passport card can be used as an identification document for non-drivers and children.

A passport book and a passport card – differences

Many people are unsure as to the difference between a passport book and a passport card.

The key difference between a passport card and a book is that the latter is the only document approved for international air travel. Passport cards, on the other hand, are mainly issued for northern and southern U.S. border residents who often exit and enter the country by land or sea.

Passport cards obviously can’t include visas or stamps, however they’re very convenient for those who often cross the border(s)  with Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, or Bermuda by land or sea.

Another difference between a passport in book and card form is the size – the U.S. passport card is smaller than the passport book. However, just like the U.S. driver’s license, both passport cards and passport books are Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative approved documents.

Do I need a passport book and card?

Are you asking yourself – should I get a passport card or book, or perhaps both? If you want to travel internationally by air, you will need to have a traditional passport book. If you have a passport book, you won’t need to get a passport card.

The passport card is more suitable for people who frequently cross the Canadian or Mexican border by land, for citizens who don’t hold a driver’s license and need an ID document, for children who don’t have another identification card, as well as for sailors that sail in international waters between the Caribbean, Mexico, Canada and the U.S.

Still, note that cruise passengers are encouraged to have both – a passport card and  book (in case of an emergency). Sometimes it’s convenient to carry both your passport card and book for international travel.

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Our app will thoroughly verify your ID photo, making sure that it’s compliant with all the official government requirements before sending you the final version. That way you’ll know that your passport card (or book) photo is 100% accurate and meets the official US standards in terms of size, composition, and light distribution.

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What is the passport book and card

Passport book versus passport card – wrap up

To determine whether a passport card or book is more suitable for you, you have to think about what foreign countries you plan to visit (if any) and in what way.

For example, if you’re going to travel to any of the Caribbean countries, Bermuda, Canada, or Mexico by land or sea – a passport card will suffice.

However, if you’re visiting any foreign country on a flight, you will be required to have a valid passport book.

There are plenty of advantages to having both, however for safety and ease-of-travel purposes travelers are encouraged to carry as many forms of government ID on them as possible.

Can passport cards be used as a form of identification when traveling to Europe by ship?

No. Passport cards are not a valid form of ID at European ports of entry, and you will be required to have a traditional passport book with you.

Do I need to bring my birth certificate with me on a closed loop cruise if I have a valid passport card?

There’s no need to bring your certificate of birth with you if you have a passport card.

Can I use my passport card for domestic flights?

Absolutely. Your passport card is accepted identification when flying domestically, equivalent to a driver’s license or passport book in this case.

What is the cost of a passport card versus book?

A passport card costs $65 (adults) and $50 for children, whereas the book costs $165 (adults) and $135 (children).

What foreign countries can I visit with a passport card?

You can visit Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean, and Mexico, however, keep in mind that these have to be land or sea border crossings/ports of entry.

Do you need a passport book and card?

No, you don’t. A U.S. passport card is suitable for people who frequently travel to Mexico, Canada, or the Caribbean (by land or sea). A U.S. passport book, on the other hand, is a travel document recognized at all international borders. U.S. citizens can decide which document best fits their travel needs.

Do I need a passport card if I have a passport book?

No, you don’t. A passport book allows  U.S. citizens to travel to all international countries (by land, sea, or air). A passport card is more localized to North America and allows holders to enter Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean by land or sea.

Why would you need both a passport book and a passport card?

Using a passport card for land-based travel into Canada and Mexico may be more convenient for frequent travelers due to its smaller size.  The passport book can then be reserved for international air travel. 

Sources

  • [1] https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/card.html
  • [2] https://nl.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/passports/apply-passport-card/

What is the passport book and card

Karolina’s passion for law, technology and photography led her to PhotoAiD S.A., where for the past 3 years she has been an expert in the implementation of passport photo compliance procedures in +80 countries around the world.

Do I need both the passport book and card?

Both the passport card and passport book are proof of your U.S. citizenship and identity and thus can be used as an alternative form of ID. But, if you intend to travel outside those 20 nations or via plane within the next 10 years, the booklet proves necessary.

What's the difference between a passport book and card?

The biggest difference between a passport book and passport card is the methods of travel that are eligible. While passport books can be used for all entry methods into an international country — whether air, land or sea — passport cards are limited to travel through land and sea borders only.

Is the passport card worth it?

A passport card is not an accepted form of valid photo identification when crossing the border by air, and will not be accepted for international flights. However, the benefit of a passport card is for those who plan on crossing the border into Canada or Mexico by car.

Is the passport card the same as a passport?

The passport card cannot be used for international air travel, but it is still a great ID to have in your wallet. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) accepts the passport card as ID for domestic flights.