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What’s the difference between a passport book and card?
When applying for a U.S. passport, you have the option to request a passport book, a passport card, or both. While they are both official travel documents issued by the U.S. Department of State, they serve different purposes and have different travel limitations.
Passport Book
A passport book is the traditional passport most travelers are familiar with. It contains multiple pages and is valid for all types of international travel—whether by air, land, or sea.
Key features:
- Required for international air travel
- Accepted in all countries worldwide
- Contains visa pages for stamps and visas
- Costs more than a passport card
Passport Card
A passport card is a wallet-sized travel document designed for limited use. It is not valid for international air travel but can be used for land and sea travel to specific countries.
Key features:
Not valid for air travel
Can be used for land or sea travel to/from:
- Canada
- Mexico
- The Caribbean
- Bermuda
- More affordable than a passport book
- Convenient for frequent border travelers
Which should you choose?
If you plan to travel internationally by air, you must have a passport book. The passport card is a useful supplement for travelers who frequently cross land borders or take cruises to neighboring countries, but it does not replace the passport book for broader international travel.