Passport Book or Passport Card?
Published Saturday, August 5th 2017 - Updated Tuesday, August 8th 2017
Have you been wondering which you need? Did you even know you had a choice? What are the differences?Glad you asked!
They are both proof of your U.S. citizenship and identity.
The U.S. Passport Card is wallet size making it easy to carry and is less expensive. An adult first issue is $55 (under 16 is $40) and a renewal by mail is only $30. It is valid for use to travel by land or sea/cruise ports-of-entry from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean. It can’t be used for international air travel.
The U.S. Passport Book is larger and has pages for entry Visa/country stamps. An adult first issue costs $135 (under 16 costs $105) and renewals by mail are $110. This is valid for all international travel to/from the U.S. by land, sea and air.
So which do you need for if you are driving to Canada or taking a cruise that is traveling round-trip from a U.S. port? Yes, you can get by with a U.S. Passport Card but what happens if there is an emergency and you need to fly home from a foreign country? You will not be able to without a U.S. Passport Book.
Here are some more fun facts to keep in mind concerning passports.
- Adult passports are valid for 10 years. Passports for children under 16 are only valid for 5 years. Your initial application must be submitted in person at an acceptance facility (or a passport agency if you have urgent travel). Applications for children under 16 must also be submitted in person.
- Some countries require that your passport has 2 to 4 blank visa/stamp pages. Some airlines will not allow you to board if this requirement is not met.
- Most people get the standard 28 page passport but if you travel a lot you can request a 52-page book instead, at the same cost.
- Many countries want your passport to be valid at least 6 months beyond the dates of your trip. Some airlines will not allow you to board if this requirement is not met.
- If your passport has been significantly damaged, especially the book cover or the page displaying your personal data and photo, you will need to apply for a new passport. Damage that might require you to replace your passport includes water damage, a significant tear, unofficial markings on the data page, missing visa pages (torn out), a hole punch, or other injuries. If your dog ate your passport it is time for a new one. Seriously, I know someone was denied travel because of a hole in the cover where her dog chewed it.
- If you got your passport after July 2007, it has a small integrated circuit (or “chip”) embedded in the back cover and has a new look with additional anti-fraud and security features. These "ePassports" allow agents to use facial recognition technology to confirm the passport is indeed yours. If you don’t have one of these passports you need to check your expiration date because it is expired!
- While you must have a passport photo that meets exacting requirements you don’t have to pay to have it taken. Anyone with a camera or smart phone can take your picture. You need to stand in front of a white background, look directly at the camera with a neutral expression (no laughing please!) and have your eyes open. Costco ($5) is the cheapest place for quick professional photos that I have found.
- Your passport is one of the most powerful in the world. If you’re from the U.S., your passport affords you free access to 172 other countries. Not many other global citizens can say the same.
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