Passport Card vs. Passport Book: Which is Right for You in 2025?

As international travel continues to rebound, many U.S. travelers are preparing for long-overdue vacations, overseas work trips, and bucket-list adventures. However, it’s important to assess your necessary documentation before you pack your bags. There’s one essential decision to make, and it centers around choosing to apply for a passport card or passport book.

While both documents verify your U.S. citizenship and identity, misconceptions abound about how both of them differ. As it so happens, the differences are significant with regards to how and where they can be used. That’s why it’s critical to highlight and compare the distinctions between the two in order to make a more informed decision. While many may scramble for emergency passport renewal in New Jersey, let’s break it down first, so you can make sure your travel plans go off without a hitch.

Passport Book: The International Standard

The passport book is the most recognizable and most versatile form of international identification. If you’re flying anywhere outside the U.S., whether it’s Europe, Asia, South America, or beyond, you’ll need a passport book. It’s accepted for all international travel (air, land, and sea), and its booklet format includes pages for visas, entry stamps, and additional customs markings. For most adult travelers, the passport book is valid for 10 years, while it’s valid for 5 years for minors under 16. The cost is higher than the passport card, but the trade-off is global access.

Whether you’re backpacking through Europe or flying to an international wedding, the passport book is your go-to. In addition to international travel, the passport book is also Real ID-compliant. That means you can use it as valid identification for domestic flights and access to federal buildings, even after the Real ID deadline goes into effect.

Passport Card: Budget-Friendly & Border-Friendly

The passport card, on the other hand, is a great option for travelers who plan to stay closer to home. It allows U.S. citizens to enter Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and many parts of the Caribbean, but only by land or sea. It is not valid for international air travel. Unlike the passport book, the card’s compact, wallet-sized format makes it easy to carry while remaining significantly more affordable than the book.

However, the pair of options do have some similarities as, just like the book, the card is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors. Additionally, the passport card is also Real ID-compliant, so you can use it for domestic air travel after the Real ID deadline, making it a great dual-purpose ID even if you don’t leave the country often.

Which One is Right for You?

It truly comes down to destination when making your final decision on which option to utilize. If your travel plans for 2025 include flying overseas, the passport book is a must. It’s the only form of U.S. passport that allows for air travel to international destinations.

However, if your trips are limited to short cruises, land travel to neighboring countries, or you just want a backup ID for domestic travel, the passport card is a practical, affordable option. Some travelers choose to apply for both, especially if they live near the border or take cruises regularly. Having both gives you maximum flexibility without having to carry your full passport book everywhere.

Real ID Deadline: What You Need to Know

As you may have heard, starting May 7, 2025, all travelers boarding domestic flights will need to present a Real ID-compliant form of identification. If you haven’t upgraded your state-issued driver’s license, a valid passport card or book will meet the requirement. This is another reason why immediate Bucks County passport renewal is a smart move. It’s not uncommon for regulations to change, however, passport books and cards typically stand the test of time and satisfy most, if not all, requirements.

Let The Passport Guys Handle the Hard Part

Though it may seem daunting, applying for a passport doesn’t need to be a stressful process. At The Passport Guys, we take the confusion out of the application process. Whether you need expedited service, help gathering documents, or guidance on what to choose, our team is honored to help you with any and all questions.

We’ve helped thousands of travelers across the U.S. get their passports quickly, and we’re ready to help you get where you’re going. Contact us today to get started. Whether you need a card, a book, or both in a short period of time, we’re your go-to destination.