The United States Department of State issues two types of passports: the regular passport book, and the smaller passport card. They have different appearances and are used for different purposes.
The passport card is a credit card-sized ID card, whereas the passport book is a standard passport booklet with pages for various stamps and visas.
Continue reading this post to learn more about the differences between the U.S. passport book vs passport card, including how much they cost, and, most importantly, which one is best for your situation.
What is a passport book?
The classic passport book is the little blue booklet U.S. citizens present at border crossings to enter another country. It is necessary for international air travel.
The passport book has pages for visas and other stamps for international travel and it also serves as a confirmation of citizenship and as a government-issued photo identification around the world.
Passport book cost and delivery time
A $165.00 passport book price is charged to first-time applicants aged 16 (sixteen) and up. Citizens under the age of 16 (sixteen) pay $135.00 for an American passport book. It costs $130 to renew a passport book through the mail.
For applicants in a hurry to get a U.S. passport, the fee for an urgent (expedited) passport book is an additional $60. On top of that, they need to pay for delivery, which takes 1 to 2 days and costs an additional $18.32.
Expedited passport books take 2 (two) weeks to process, whereas regular passport books take 4 (four) to 6 (six) weeks.
Advantage of applying for a passport book
The main advantage of the U.S. passport book vs. card is that the passport book is valid for international air travel—you can’t fly to another country without one.
It has the pages needed for visas and other stamps required to travel overseas. The American passport book can also serve as proof of identity and U.S. citizenship when traveling abroad.
What is a passport card?
The passport card is a government-issued document from the United States that is accepted at land border crossings and seaports in a variety of nations.
Although U.S. passport cards cannot be used for international air travel, they can be used as a substitute for state-issued identification documents. For holders under the age of 16 (sixteen), the validity of your U.S. passport card is 5 (five) years.
For citizens over the age of 16, the United States passport card is valid for 10 (ten) years.
A passport card is valid to cross the border into:
- 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 and processing time
U.S. passport cards are less expensive than the U.S. passport books. The cost of an American passport card for first-time applicants over the age of 16 (sixteen) is $65.
For applicants under the age of 16 (sixteen), the passport card charge is $50. A $30 fee is charged for renewing a U.S. passport card by mail. You can also pay for First Class mail, which would expedite the delivery of the card (without additional shipping fees).
The standard processing period is 4 (four) to 6 (six) weeks, with the expedited passport card taking 2 (two) weeks.
Advantage of getting a passport card
One of the most significant advantages of the passport card is its portability, as it is compact and fits in your wallet. It can be used to travel by land and sea to Bermuda, Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, and other destinations. The cost of a passport card in the United States is cheaper than that of a passport book.
Non-drivers and children (minors) can also use a United States passport card as identification.
U.S. Passport book and a passport card—the differences
The key distinction between the two documents is that passport books are valid for air travel around the world, whereas passport cards are only valid for travel to a limited number of countries by water or land.
A passport card cannot be used to obtain a visa or a stamp, but it is highly useful if you frequently drive to Mexico or Canada, or sail to other territories on the list above.
Another simple distinction between a passport book and a card is size: the passport card in the United States is smaller, while the passport book is larger.
Do I need a U.S. passport book and card?
Wondering whether you need a passport card or a book, or both? Those planning on flying internationally need a valid passport book. There’s no need for a passport card if you already have a passport book.
U.S. citizens who frequently cross the Canadian or Mexican borders by land, non-drivers who want an identification document, children who do not have a driver’s license or another form of identification, and sailors who sail in international waters between the Caribbean, Mexico, Canada, and the United States will benefit from the passport card.
Photos for passport book and card with PhotoAiD®
Need pictures for a U.S. passport book or card? PhotoAiD®—a software featured by Glamour, National Geographic, and Forbes—allows applicants to take them at home with only a smartphone.
This is how it works:
- The app automatically resizes the photo to the required proportions. No need to modify it by hand with an editing software or use special equipment.
- The background gets immediately replaced with a plain color. Users can take passport photos wherever they are, no need to set up a white sheet or travel anywhere.
- The app’s AI scans the image checking compliance with the requirements. After that, our photo experts will double check everything. Our customers get a 100% guarantee of following the guidelines.
- PhotoAiD® allows unlimited tries at no extra fees. Passport photos for babies can finally be a stress-free experience.
The digital copy will be sent by email immediately and the printouts can be ordered if needed.
For further information:
- How to Take Passport Photo at Home
- How To Make a Passport Size Photo From Mobile
- Taking Passport Photos with Your iPhone
- How to Take a Passport Photo With An Android Phone
FAQ
In this section, we’ll answer some recurring questions on the passport book vs card comparison.
What’s the difference between a U.S. passport book and a passport card??
The most significant distinction between a passport book and a passport card is the types of travel that are permitted. Passport books can be used for all modes of entry into a country, including air, land, and sea travel, whereas passport cards are only valid for travel over land and water borders.
Do I need a U.S. passport book and a passport card?
If you travel by air and land, you may want to get both a passport book and a passport card. To cross borders on land or by sea, a passport card is acceptable; for international air travel, it’s necessary to have a passport book.
What is the cost of a U.S. passport book vs a passport card?
A passport book costs $165.00 for applicants aged 16 (sixteen) and above who are applying for the first time. A first-time passport card costs $65 for U.S. citizens min. 16 (sixteen),
For those 16 (sixteen) and under, the first-time passport book is $135 and a first-time passport card is $50.
If you need a passport book or card quickly, you can pay an expediting fee of $30.
Passport book vs card—summary
Consider the type of travel you’re most likely to do in the coming years when deciding which choice is ideal for you. If you’re not sure what kind of travel you’ll be doing in the future, a passport book will be the best solution.
One thing you should not hesitate about is the software to help you get perfect passport photos for either your U.S. passport book or card: PhotoAiD® provides a quick, user-friendly solution to all your passport photo needs.
