If you are thinking about applying for or renewing a U.S. passport now for international travel, please read the Department of State's current international travel advisory. Because of public health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we have extremely limited U.S. passport operations.
If you apply or renew now, you will experience significant delays of several months to receive your U.S. passport and the return of your citizenship evidence documents (such as birth certificates or naturalization certificates). Unless you have a life-or-death emergency, please wait until we resume normal operations to apply for or renew your passport.
Learn more on our COVID-19 Update page and our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Both the passport book and passport card serve as proof of your U.S. citizenship and identity. We want you to know about a few differences between the book and card so you can decide if you want to apply for one or both documents:
| U.S. Passport Book | U.S. Passport Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Image |  |
|
| Used For | International travel Real ID: Passport books and cards are alternatives to a state-issued ID. |
Entering the United States at land border crossings and sea ports-of-entry from:
The passport card cannot be used for international air travel.
Real ID: Passport books and cards are alternatives to a state-issued ID.
|
| Validity | 16 and older: 10 years Under 16: 5 years |
16 and older: 10 years Under 16: 5 years |
| Size | 5" x 3.5" (when closed) | Wallet size |
| Cost |
Please see Passport Fees for more information. |
|
| Shipping Options | If you're applying for a book, you can select 1-2 day delivery which costs an additional $17.13. | If you're only applying for a card, we will send it to you via First Class Mail. You cannot select 1-2 day delivery. |
If you already have a passport book or passport card, you can renew by mail using Form DS-82. Your current passport book or card must be:
You must Apply in Person for a passport card using Form DS-11 if you do not meet the requirements listed above.
Yes. You can apply for both a passport book and passport card at the same time using either Form DS-11 (apply in person) or Form DS-82 (renew by mail - must be eligible). To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to indicate that you would like to apply for both products.
If you have a passport book and you are eligible to use Form DS-82, you may apply for a passport card as a renewal by mail even if it is your first passport card.
Please note: If you're renewing your passport book and passport card, you must submit both documents. If you can submit a passport book, but you lost your passport card, you cannot renew the passport card using Form DS-82.
Be sure to include both passport book and passport card fees. Please see Passport Fees for more information.
The passport card was designed for the specific needs of northern and southern U.S. border communities with residents that cross the border frequently by land. The passport book is the only document approved for international air travel.
Yes. Adults and children with U.S. passport cards can save time at the U.S.-Mexico border by using designated Ready Lanes that read the passport card’s Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology.
How to use Ready Lanes with a U.S. passport card:
You can find a complete list of Ready Lane acceptable documents on CBP's website.
