Passmere is a private company, not a government agency. This guide is free information, not legal advice. Each fact links to the official source and shows the date we checked it.
Passport
Passport card vs. passport book: which one you need
What the passport card can and can't do, how long each one lasts, what the government charges, and how asking for both at once saves a fee.
What the passport card is for
under review — see the official source4So the key question is simple: will you fly to another country? If yes, you need the book. The card is an extra option for the land and sea trips above and for domestic flights.
How long each one lasts
under review — see the official source5Book, card or both
- Book only: you fly abroad, or you travel to places the card does not cover.
- Card only: you only cross by land or sea to the destinations the card covers, or you want it as ID for domestic flights.
- Both: you do both kinds of travel.
Travel a lot and collect visas? You can ask for a larger book with more visa pages. Its extra cost is in the table below.
Which form you use
You don't need a separate form for the card. If you can renew by mail, use Form DS-82 (see Renew your U.S. passport by mail). If it is your first passport, or you can't renew by mail, apply in person with Form DS-11 (see First adult passport). Children apply in person: see Passport for a child.
Step by step
- Decide what you need: the book, the card or both.
- Pick your form: Form DS-82 if you can renew by mail, Form DS-11 in person if not.
- On the form, choose the book, the card or both, and the larger book if you want more visa pages.
- Get one passport photo that meets the official rules (see Passport photo requirements).
- Pay the government fees by check or money order to "U.S. Department of State". In person, pay the acceptance fee to the facility separately.
- Mail Form DS-82, or take Form DS-11 to an acceptance facility.
- Watch your email for status updates.
Checklist
Before you choose
- You know if any trip includes a flight to another country
- You know if you will cross by land or sea to a destination the card covers
- The right form: Form DS-82 by mail or Form DS-11 in person
- Book, card or both marked on the form
- Larger book requested, if you need more visa pages
- One passport photo that meets the official rules
- Payment for the government fees, plus the acceptance fee if you apply in person
Do and don't
Do
- Get the book if any trip includes an international flight.
- Ask for the book and the card on the same application if you want both.
- Check the entry rules of your destination before a land or sea trip.
Don't
- Don't count on the card to board a flight to another country.
- Don't apply for the book and the card separately if you want both: in person, that means paying the acceptance fee twice.
- Don't expect faster return delivery for a card: that option is for books only.
Fees
These are government fees, separate from any Passmere fee.
| What | Paid to | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Adult passport book | U.S. Department of State | under review — see the official source1 |
| Adult passport card | U.S. Department of State | under review — see the official source2 |
| Adult book and card | U.S. Department of State | under review — see the official source3 |
| Child passport book | U.S. Department of State | under review — see the official source7 |
| Child passport card | U.S. Department of State | under review — see the official source8 |
| Child book and card | U.S. Department of State | under review — see the official source9 |
| Larger book with more visa pages | U.S. Department of State | under review — see the official source10 |
| Acceptance fee (in person with Form DS-11 only) | Acceptance facility | under review — see the official source11 |
| Expedited service (optional) | U.S. Department of State | under review — see the official source12 |
| 1–3 day return delivery (optional, book only) | U.S. Department of State | under review — see the official source13 |
Frequently asked questions
Can I fly to Mexico or Canada with only a passport card?
No. The card is not valid for international flights, even to those countries. To fly, you need the passport book.
Can I use the passport card for flights inside the United States?
Yes. It is valid as an alternative to REAL ID on domestic flights.
Can my child get a passport card?
Yes. The child fees are in the table above. under review — see the official source15 See Passport for a child.
Does the larger book cost more?
No. Extra government charge: under review — see the official source10. Ask for it on the form.
Will Passmere ask for my Social Security number?
No. under review — see the official source16 Passmere never asks for it: you write it on the form yourself.
Sources and verification
- Government application fee — adult passport book — U.S. Department of State: Passport Fees. under review — see the official source
- Government application fee — adult passport card — U.S. Department of State: Passport Fees. under review — see the official source
- Government application fee — adult book and card — U.S. Department of State: Passport Fees. under review — see the official source
- What the passport card is for — U.S. Department of State: Compare a Passport Card and Book. under review — see the official source
- Validity of the passport book and card — U.S. Department of State: Compare a Passport Card and Book. under review — see the official source
- Applying for book and card together — U.S. Department of State: Compare a Passport Card and Book. under review — see the official source
- Government application fee — child passport book (under 16) — U.S. Department of State: Passport Fees. under review — see the official source
- Government application fee — child passport card — U.S. Department of State: Passport Fees. under review — see the official source
- Government application fee — child book and card — U.S. Department of State: Passport Fees. under review — see the official source
- Extra cost for the large passport book — U.S. Department of State: Renew Your Passport by Mail. under review — see the official source
- Acceptance facility fee (in-person applications) — U.S. Department of State: Passport Fees. under review — see the official source
- Expedited service fee — U.S. Department of State: Passport Fees. under review — see the official source
- 1–3 day return delivery fee — U.S. Department of State: Passport Fees. under review — see the official source
- How to pay the government fees — U.S. Department of State: Passport Fees. under review — see the official source
- Child passports cannot be renewed — U.S. Department of State: Apply for a Child's Passport Under 16. under review — see the official source
- Social Security number on the form — U.S. Department of State: Form DS-82 (edition 04-2025) — instructions. under review — see the official source