What's the difference between a passport book and passport card?
Editor's Note
If you've ever applied for or renewed a U.S. passport, you may have noticed the option to purchase both a passport book and a passport card.
Although both serve as proof of your U.S. citizenship and identity, they are used for different travel purposes.
Here's all you need to know about the differences between a passport book and a passport card, as well as which one you should get.
What is a passport book?
A passport book is likely the document travelers are most familiar with, as it's used for international travel to and from the U.S., including by air, sea or land.
All U.S. citizens and non-citizen nationals are eligible for a U.S. passport book.
Passport books contain identifying details, including your full name, nationality, date and place of birth, sex, place of issuance, birthplace, issuance and expiration dates, and an alphanumeric eight-digit passport number.
Biometric passport books come in the form of a booklet with a navy blue cover containing 28 pages, where border agents stamp each time you cross into a new country. Should you ever receive a visa to enter a country, that information will also be documented on those pages.
For travelers aged 16 or older at the date of issue, passport books are valid for 10 years. Otherwise, they're valid for five years, and these travelers must renew their passports at that time.
What is a passport card?
Unlike passport books, a passport card is wallet-sized, similar to the size of a driver’s license. Passport cards can be used for land and sea entry to the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean.
These contain almost identical information as passport books, specifically your full name, nationality, date/place of birth, sex, issue and expiration dates, plus a unique passport card number.
All U.S. citizens and non-citizen nationals are eligible for a U.S. passport card.
Unlike passport books, a passport card can be used in Ready Lanes in Canada and Mexico, which provide expedited vehicle and pedestrian border entry for approved users by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Like passport books, passport cards are also valid for 10 years for travelers aged 16 and older, and five years for those under age 16 at the time of issuance.
Differences between the passport book and passport card
Size
The passport book is larger than a passport card, measuring 5 inches by 3.5 inches when closed. The passport card is the size of a standard credit card.
Cost
Overall, obtaining a U.S. passport book is much more expensive, at $165 for first-time applicants aged 16 and older, $135 for those under 16 and $130 for those who renew their passport book by mail, regardless of age.
It only costs first-time applicants aged 16 and older $65 to get a passport card, while it's $50 for younger applicants. Passport cards are renewable by mail for just $30.
Purpose
Both serve as acceptable alternatives to a state-issued ID (driver's license) for U.S. citizenship identification for travel and other purposes. However, only passport books are valid for international air travel.
Can I have both a passport book and a card?
You can apply for both a passport book and passport card at the same time, either in person using Form DS-11 or via mail using Form DS-82, simply by checking the appropriate box at the top of the form indicating that you would like to apply for both products. You cannot renew one without the other.
If you have a passport book and are eligible for mail renewal, you can also apply for a passport card renewal via mail, even if it is your first passport card.
For eligibility rules regarding mail renewal, see here.
Which should I get?
You can technically obtain both documents. However, it doesn't make sense to pay for both when a U.S. passport book grants international air, land and sea access to the U.S. from all destinations the passport card does.
Having said that, you may want to consider also applying for a passport card if you frequently travel both by air and land, as a passport card is a smaller document to travel with and potentially more convenient than carrying a traditional passport book.
Either way, both a passport book and card are accepted as forms of Real ID. As a reminder, Real-ID-compliant driver's licenses will be required to pass through TSA security lines at airports for all travelers aged 18 and older starting May 7, 2025.
Bottom line
Passport books and passport cards serve different purposes. Passport books are required as identification verification for international air travel. Passport cards serve that purpose but can only be used for land travel into the U.S. from specific destinations.
Travelers can apply for one or both documents, as they both are acceptable as U.S. citizenship identification.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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$325Recommended Credit
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.