USA Passport Application: How to Get Your Passport Card in 2025

USA Passport Application: For many American travelers, the traditional passport book is a well-known document. However, there is a more compact, practical, and cost-effective alternative for travel: the US Passport Card. This wallet-sized identification serves as an official document for US citizens, offering unique land and sea travel benefits, especially within nearby regions. Looking for a hassle-free way to complete your Passport Renewal? Whether you are planning international travel or need to update your documents, our expert guide on the USA Passport Application process makes it easy. Learn how to Apply US Passport online or by mail with step-by-step instructions. How can I Renew My Passport quickly? We have you covered with the latest tips and requirements.

Whether you frequently travel across borders or are considering different identification options, this article will explain the essentials of the passport card, including what it is, its permitted uses, limitations, how to apply, and why it may be a smart addition to your travel documents.

What Is a Passport Card?

A US Passport Card is an authorized identification issued by the US Department of State. It verifies both citizenship and identity and remains valid for the same duration as the standard passport book, 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors. This durable, credit card-sized ID contains your photo, full name, nationality, place of birth, and expiration date. The passport card includes a proximity-readable RFID chip linked to a secure database, which helps speed up processing at border checkpoints. While it comes with usage limitations compared to a passport book, the passport card is ideal for certain types of travel and everyday identification purposes.

Where Can You Use a Passport Card?

Passport cards are valid for land and sea entry to and from the following destinations:

• • Canada

• • Mexico

• • Bermuda

• • Caribbean nations

Please note: passport cards are not valid for international air travel. If you are flying abroad, including to the countries listed above, you must use a passport book.

Permitted Uses Include:

• • Driving across the US-Mexico or the US-Canada borders

• • Embarking on closed-loop cruises to the Caribbean or Bermuda

• • Presenting ID for domestic purposes

• • Serving as an alternative to a state-issued driver’s license

Not Accepted For:

• • Air travel to international destinations

• • Visits to countries beyond North America and the Caribbean

• • Entry into countries that require visa stamps in a passport book

Why You Might Consider a Passport Card

Though the passport book remains the most comprehensive form of international identification, the passport card provides many appealing advantages for specific travellers. Need a USA Passport? Whether you are planning your first trip abroad or need to update your passport, we make it easy to Apply USA Passport online. From Renew Passport services to Replace Lost Passport assistance, our platform offers a quick and secure way to Apply for Passport. Start your US Passport Application today and travel with confidence.

1. Affordable Option

The cost of a passport card is significantly lower than that of a full passport book. As of 2025:

• • Adults (first-time applicants): $70

• • Adults (already hold a passport book): $35

• • Children under 16: $55

In contrast to the approximate $170 fee for a full passport book, this is an excellent choice for travellers on a budget.

2. Easy to Carry and Durable

The compact size makes it easy to keep in your wallet and use on a day-to-day basis, especially beneficial for those who frequently travel by land or sea. The card is also more robust than a traditional passport book, featuring a laminated, long-lasting design.

3. Ideal Backup ID

Many individuals use the passport card as a secondary government-issued form of ID, useful in situations where they prefer not to carry their primary driver’s license.

4. Useful for Border Communities

People residing near the Canadian or Mexican borders who cross regularly for work, education, or personal reasons may find the passport card especially convenient. It allows for faster, seamless crossings without needing to use a full passport book each time.

How to Apply for a Passport Card

Applying for a passport card follows a process similar to the standard US Passport Application. You can apply for a card alongside a new passport book or submit a separate application if you already hold a passport.

If You’re Applying for the First Time

First-time applicants must complete Form DS-11 and submit the following:

• • A recent 2×2-inch passport photo

• • Proof of US citizenship (e.g., birth certificate or naturalization certificate)

• • Valid identification (e.g., driver’s license or state-issued ID)

• • Payment for the appropriate fees

The USA Passport Application process for new applicants is straightforward when all documents are correctly gathered and submitted. Get your USA Passport Application processed quickly and securely. Whether you are applying for the first time or need to replace stolen passport, we make it simple. Learn all about US Passport Requirements and get systematic guidance for your Travel State Passport needs. Use our trusted platform for a fast and efficient Online Passport Application USA. Start your American Passport Application Online today and be travel-ready in no time.

If You Already Hold a Passport Book

You may apply for a passport card using Form DS-82 if:

• • You were at least 16 years old when your last passport was issued

• • Your current passport is undamaged and issued within the last 15 years

• • You still have your current passport in your possession

Mail the completed form, your most recent passport photo, the current passport book, and your fee payment.

Processing Times and Expedited Services

Routine processing for a US passport card in 2025 typically takes 6 to 8 weeks. If you need it faster, you can request expedited service, which typically shortens the process to 2 to 3 weeks, or even faster with premium options. Our service provides a complete guide to filling out the USA Passport Application, whether you are applying for the first time, doing a Passport Renewal, or managing a situation like Replace Lost Passport or Replace Stolen Passport. We specialize in fast-track assistance that can get your passport card ready in as little as 1 to 7 business days, depending on eligibility and urgency.

Key Reminders When Using a Passport Card

• • The passport card does not fulfill REAL ID requirements for domestic air travel, though it is accepted as valid federal identification.

• • You cannot fly internationally using a passport card — not even to Canada or Mexico.

• • Always handle your passport card with the same care you would use for your passport book, as it is still an official US government-issued travel document.

Need Assistance with Your Passport Card Application?

Whether you are applying for your first passport card, submitting a Passport Renewal, or replacing a lost or stolen ID, our experts are here to help. We provide:

• • A complete checklist and guide for the US Passport Application

• • Easy-to-follow instructions to Apply USA Passport or Apply US Passport

• • Expert review of your documents to prevent errors

• • Priority service for those needing fast processing

• • Support for those needing to Renew My Passport

• • Assistance for those who need to Replace Lost Passport or Replace Stolen Passport

USA Passport Application: Final Thoughts

For travellers heading by land or sea to nearby destinations like Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, the US Passport Card is a smart and economical choice. While it does not replace the passport book for international flights or broader global travel, it serves as a reliable alternative or backup for specific scenarios. If you are ready to Apply US Passport or want to add a passport card to your travel documents, our team is here to guide you every step of the way. Applying for a USA Passport Application is now easier than ever. With the Online Passport Application USA service, you can complete the process from the comfort of your home. The American Passport Application Online system ensures quick and secure submissions. Whether it is your first passport or a passport renewal, everything is just a few clicks away.