Not sure whether you need a passport book, a passport card, or both? You’re not alone.
Each document serves a specific purpose, and choosing the right one depends on your travel plans and identification needs.
In this guide, you’ll discover the key differences, benefits, and limitations of each option. And once you’ve decided, don’t forget: you’ll need a passport photo that meets strict government standards.
Luckily, we can help with that.
With Passport Photo Online, you can take your passport photo from the comfort of your home—no appointments, no waiting lines. Our tool ensures your photo meets all government requirements, backed by a 100% compliance guarantee and expert human review.
Turn a selfie into a compliant passport photo with help from Passport Photo Online.
- Take a selfie or upload a photo.
- Passport Photo Online’s AI checker will improve it.
- Our compliance experts will double-check the results.
- Download your digital copy or order prints. That’s it!
Download a digital passport photo – compliant with US passport photo requirements. Have prints delivered to your address with a single click.
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I used Passport Photo Online and got a verified, compliant digital passport photo from a simple selfie. The whole process took about five minutes. The prints arrived just a few days later. I saved time and money and my passport application was accepted!
What’s a Passport Book and Why You Might Need One
A U.S. passport book is the most widely accepted travel document for international air, land, or sea trips.
It also serves as official proof of U.S. citizenship and identity, making it a wise choice even if you don’t travel frequently.
Validity and features
- Valid for 10 years (adults aged 16 or older)
- Valid for 5 years (children under 16)
- Includes 17 pages for visas and entry/exit stamps (option to request a larger book)
Cost of a passport book
| Applicant Type | Application Fee | Execution Fee | Expedited Processing | 1–2 Day Delivery | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult (16+) – first-time | $130 | $35 | +$60 (optional) | +$21.36 (optional) | $165 (base) |
| Child (under 16) | $100 | $35 | +$60 (optional) | +$21.36 (optional) | $135 (base) |
| Renewal by mail | $130 | — | +$60 (optional) | +$21.36 (optional) | $130 (base) |
Important: Standard processing takes 6–8 weeks. Expedited service reduces this to approximately 2–3 weeks. The 1–2 day delivery option is available only for passport books and applies after the application has been processed.
Advantages of a passport book
The passport book is the most versatile travel document.
It allows you to travel internationally by air, land, or sea, and is accepted in every country around the world. Unlike the passport card, it enables access to destinations beyond North America and is required for air travel abroad.
The book also includes pages for entry and exit stamps, as well as visas, making it essential for trips that involve border crossings or advance visa requirements.
Beyond travel, it also serves as an official form of identification and proof of U.S. citizenship, both domestically and internationally.
Planning to apply for a passport book?
You’ll need a photo that meets strict government standards. That’s where Passport Photo Online comes in—the easiest way to get a compliant photo without leaving home:
- 100% compliance guarantee
- Expert human review
- Unlimited retakes until you’re satisfied
- Automatic background removal and size adjustment
- No stress, no queues, no travel
What’s a Passport Card and When to Choose One
A U.S. passport card is a convenient, wallet-sized alternative to the passport book. It can be used for land and sea travel to select destinations and is a Real ID-compliant form of identification.
While it cannot be used for international air travel, the passport card is ideal for travelers who stay within North America or cruise to nearby countries.
It’s also a practical ID solution for children, teens, and adults who don’t drive.
Validity and travel use
- Valid for 10 years (adults aged 16 or older)
- Valid for 5 years (children under 16)
- Usable for land and sea travel to:
- Canada
- Mexico
- Bermuda
- Select Caribbean countries (check eligibility in advance)
Note: The passport card is not accepted for international flights or entry into certain Caribbean nations (e.g., Cuba, Haiti, Trinidad & Tobago). Always verify entry requirements with your travel provider or the U.S. State Department.
Cost of a passport card
| Applicant Type | Application Fee | Execution Fee | Expedited Processing | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult (16+) – first-time | $30 | $35 | +$60 (optional) | $65 (base) |
| Child (under 16) | $15 | $35 | +$60 (optional) | $50 (base) |
| Renewal by mail | $30 | — | +$60 (optional) | $30 (base) |
Important: Standard processing takes four to six weeks. Expedited service shortens this to about two weeks.
Advantages of a passport card
The passport card is perfect for short-haul travelers and budget-conscious applicants. It fits easily in your wallet and covers most identification needs within North America.
It’s especially useful if you:
- Travel by land or sea to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or the Caribbean
- Plan closed-loop cruises and want a simpler alternative to a passport book
- Need a Real ID-compliant form of ID for domestic flights
- Want a low-cost ID for kids or teens who don’t yet drive
Just like the passport book, you’ll need a compliant photo to apply. You can skip the trip to Walgreens or CVS and use Passport Photo Online instead—our tool is faster, easier, and gives you unlimited retakes until you’re satisfied.
What’s the Difference Between a Passport Book and a Passport Card?
While both the U.S. passport book and passport card are official travel documents, they serve different purposes.
The main distinction is this: only the passport book allows international travel by air. The passport card is strictly for land and sea crossings with neighboring countries like Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and select Caribbean nations.
The passport book also allows space for visas and entry/exit stamps, while the passport card does not. Additionally, the passport card is smaller—about the size of a driver’s license—and designed to fit in your wallet.
Despite these differences, both documents are approved under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative and can be used as official ID in many situations.
Passport book vs. passport card
| Feature | Passport Book | Passport Card |
|---|---|---|
| Air travel | Yes | No |
| Land and sea travel | Yes | Yes (limited to select countries) |
| Valid destinations | Worldwide | Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, Caribbean |
| Includes visa/stamp pages | Yes | No |
| ID size | Booklet | Wallet-sized card |
| Can be used as a Real ID | Yes | Yes |
| WHTI-approved document | Yes | Yes |
Do You Need Both a Passport Book and a Passport Card?
Not sure if you need a passport book, a passport card, or both?
Here’s how to decide:
If you plan to travel internationally by air, you must have a passport book. The passport card is not valid for air travel abroad.
In most cases, owning a passport book alone is sufficient. However, depending on your needs, a passport card can be a helpful supplement.
A passport card is handy for:
- Frequent land or sea travelers to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or the Caribbean
- U.S. citizens without a driver’s license who need a government-issued ID
- Children who don’t have other identification
- Cruise passengers on closed-loop itineraries (departing and returning to the same U.S. port)
- Sailors navigating between nearby international waters
Some travelers choose to carry both documents.
A passport book is your primary travel document, while the card can be a convenient backup, particularly in emergencies or situations where you don’t want to carry your full booklet.
Get Your Passport Photos with Passport Photo Online
Whether you choose a passport book or card, one thing is certain—you’ll need a compliant passport photo to complete your application.
That’s where Passport Photo Online comes in.
With our tool, you can take your photo from the comfort of your home. Simply upload a picture, and our system will automatically adjust it to meet all official U.S. requirements.
Every photo is:
- Thoroughly verified for compliance with size, composition, and lighting standards
- Reviewed by a human expert for added accuracy
- Backed by a 100% compliance guarantee
You’ll also enjoy:
- Unlimited retakes until you’re satisfied
- No queues, no travel, no stress
- Instant delivery of your digital photo
If your photo is rejected, we’ll refund double the cost. That’s how confident we are in our service.
See what people say about Passport Photo Online:
FAQ
Can I use a passport card to travel to Europe by ship?
Do I need my birth certificate on a closed-loop cruise if I have a passport card?
Can I use my passport card for domestic flights?
What’s the cost difference between a passport card and a passport book?
-Passport book: $165 for adults, $135 for children
Which countries can I visit with a passport card?
-Canada
-Mexico
-Bermuda
-Select Caribbean countries
Note: Passport cards are not valid for international air travel or entry into most other countries.
Do I need both a passport book and a passport card?
-Choose a passport card if you frequently travel to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean by land or sea.
-Choose a passport book if you plan to travel internationally by air or need broader access to global destinations.
Why would someone get both a passport book and a card?
As a Digital PR specialist and a member of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), Max has 5+ years of writing experience.
Over the course of his career, Max’s work has garnered significant attention, with features in numerous prominent publications such as The New York Times, Forbes, Inc., Business Insider, Fast Company, Entrepreneur, BBC, TechRepublic, Glassdoor, and G2.
