Passport Book vs. Passport Card: What's the Difference?
Compare the U.S. passport book and passport card, including where each works, costs, REAL ID use, and which travelers should choose each option.
A U.S. passport book and passport card both prove U.S. citizenship and identity, but they are designed for different travel situations. Choosing the wrong one can create serious travel problems, especially if your plans include international flights.
The short version
Choose a passport book if you might travel internationally by air. Choose a passport card only if your travel is limited to specific land and sea crossings, or if you want a wallet-sized federal ID that can also work as a REAL ID alternative for domestic flights.
Many travelers choose both.
What a passport book does
A passport book is the traditional booklet-style passport with visa pages. It can be used for international travel by air, land, or sea. If you are flying from the United States to Europe, Asia, South America, Africa, Australia, or nearly any international destination, you need the book.
The book is also the document most travelers need for visas, entry stamps, cruise itineraries that involve international air travel, and trips where plans might change.
What a passport card does
A passport card is a wallet-sized plastic card. According to the U.S. Department of State, it is valid for land and sea travel from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and some Caribbean destinations. It is not valid for international air travel.
The card can be convenient for border crossings, some closed-loop cruise travelers, and people who want a compact federal ID. It can also be used for domestic air travel as an alternative to a REAL ID-compliant license.
Validity and cost
Both documents have the same validity period: 10 years for adults and 5 years for children under age 16. Current first-time adult fees are $165 for a passport book including the acceptance fee, $65 for a passport card including the acceptance fee, or $195 for both. Adult renewal fees are $130 for the book, $30 for the card, or $160 for both.
Which should you get?
For most travelers, the passport book is the safer first choice because it covers the widest range of travel. Add the passport card if you frequently cruise, cross land borders, want a backup ID to keep separate from your passport book, or do not yet have a REAL ID-compliant driver's license.
If you are planning a cruise, confirm document rules for your exact itinerary before relying on a passport card. Cruise line rules, destination entry rules, and emergency flight needs can all affect the smartest choice.