Order a Passport Card: Your Guide to a Convenient Travel Document

Order a passport card to unlock a new level of convenience for your frequent travel across borders. Whether you’re a frequent cross-border commuter, a land or sea traveler to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, or Bermuda, the passport card is a wallet-sized, cost-effective alternative to the traditional passport book. This page is your comprehensive resource to understand the benefits, process, and requirements to successfully order a passport card and enhance your travel experience.

Why You Should Order a Passport Card

Before you order a passport card, it’s important to understand its unique advantages. While the traditional passport book is required for international air travel, the passport card is designed for a specific, yet highly useful, purpose.

• Ultimate Portability: Its credit-card size means it fits perfectly in your wallet, making it far more convenient to carry daily than a booklet.
• Ideal for Land and Sea Travel: It is a federally approved document for re-entering the United States at land border crossings and sea ports-of-entry from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.
• Real ID Compliant: It serves as a valid form of identification for domestic air travel within the United States and for accessing federal facilities.
• Durability: Made of secure plastic, it is more resistant to damage from wear and tear compared to a paper passport book.

Understanding the card vs book passport distinction is crucial. Think of it this way: the book is for the global traveler, while the card is perfect for the North American road-tripper or cruise enthusiast.

How to Order a Passport Card Online and Offline

A common question we receive is, “Can you order a passport card online?” The process to apply for a passport card is very similar to that of the booklet and can be initiated online in some cases, but requires an in-person or mail-in submission of documents.

For First-Time Applicants and Children: You cannot complete the entire process digitally. You must apply for a passport card using Form DS-11. This form can be filled out online through the official government portal for convenience, but it must be printed and submitted in person at an authorized acceptance facility, such as a post office, clerk of court, or public library. You will need to provide proof of U.S. citizenship, a government-issued ID, a compliant photo, and payment for fees.

To Order a Passport Card Online (for renewals): If you are eligible to renew your passport book, you can often order a passport card online at the same time through the official government website. The online renewal system allows you to seamlessly add a card to your renewal order. This is the most direct way to order a passport card online.

Understanding Passport Card Cost and Fees

The passport card cost is significantly lower than that of a passport book, making it an affordable addition to your travel arsenal. For first-time adult applicants, the total passport card cost includes an application fee and an execution fee. For renewals, only the application fee applies. It’s always best to check the official government website for the most up-to-date fee structure, as prices can change.

How to Reorder Passport Card: Replacements and Renewals

Perhaps you already have a passport book and are wondering, “Can I order just a passport card later?” The answer is yes, absolutely. You can order a passport card replacement or a new card separately at any time.

To reorder a passport card (for a renewal), if your previous card was undamaged and issued when you were over 16, you can likely use Form DS-82. This form can be mailed in, and in some cases, submitted through the online renewal portal, allowing you to get a passport card without an in-person appointment.

If your card was lost, stolen, or damaged, you will need to use Form DS-11 and apply in person to order a passport card replacement.

A frequent question is, “Are passports and passport cards mailed separately?” Yes, they are. Even if you order them together, they are processed and shipped in separate mailings. Be sure to keep an eye out for both envelopes.

Order a Passport Card USA: Specifics for American Citizens

The process to order a passport card USA is standardized across the country. Whether you are in California, Texas, New York, or Florida, the requirements, forms, and fees are set by the U.S. Department of State. When you search for “get a passport card near me,” you are looking for an authorized passport acceptance facility, which are plentiful throughout all states.

Get a Passport Card Fast: Expedited Service Options

Need your document quickly? You can get a passport card fast by opting for expedited service at an additional cost. This reduces the processing time considerably. While “get a passport card same day” is not typically possible for first-time issuances, in cases of extreme, life-or-death emergencies, you may be able to get an appointment at a passport agency. For most expedited needs, planning for a few weeks is standard.

Ready to Apply for a Passport Card?

Now that you understand how to order a passport card, it’s time to take the next step. The convenience and security it offers for land and sea travel are unmatched.

Here’s your action plan:

1. Gather Your Documents: Proof of U.S. citizenship (like a birth certificate or naturalization certificate), a government-issued photo ID (like a driver’s license), and a compliant passport photo.
2. Complete the Correct Form: Use Form DS-11 for new applications and Form DS-82 for renewals by mail.
3. Calculate the Passport Card Cost: Use the fee calculator on the official website to determine the exact amount you need to pay.
4. Submit Your Application: Find a local acceptance facility to submit your DS-11, or mail your DS-82 renewal package to the address listed on the form.

Don’t let another trip go by without the ultimate in convenient travel documentation. Order a passport card online as part of your renewal, or visit an acceptance facility today to apply. It’s the smart, efficient, and affordable way to ensure you’re always ready for your next adventure across the border.