How to Apply for Both a U.S. Passport Book and Card

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Can you apply for both a passport book and a passport card online at the same time? The answer depends on your specific situation.

For most applicants, particularly those applying for the first time, the process cannot be completed online. However, for a specific group of people renewing existing documents, an online option is available.

This guide breaks down the rules, requirements, and step-by-step procedures for obtaining a U.S. passport book, a passport card, or both simultaneously.

Passport Book Versus Passport Card

Before beginning the application process, it is important to understand the distinct purposes and limitations of these two documents. While both are official documents that serve as proof of U.S. citizenship and identity, they’re not interchangeable.

Where You Can Use Them

The primary distinction between the two documents lies in where and how they can be used for international travel.

Passport book. The passport book is the globally recognized, traditional travel document required for all international travel by air, sea, or land. It’s the only document valid for international flights.

The book contains numerous pages for entry and exit stamps from foreign countries and for visas, which are required for entry into many nations. For frequent international travelers, a larger 52-page book can be requested at no extra cost by checking the “large book” box on the application form.

Passport card. The passport card is more limited. It’s valid only for re-entering the United States at land border crossings and sea ports-of-entry from specific nearby locations: Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean.

It is explicitly not valid for any international air travel. Its primary purpose is to provide a convenient and less expensive option for U.S. citizens who frequently drive or take ferries to these neighboring countries.

Physical Features

Size and portability. The passport book measures approximately 5 by 3.5 inches, similar to a small notebook. The passport card is the size of a credit card, making it easy to carry in a wallet for frequent land border crossings.

Durability. The passport card is made of durable, waterproof plastic, designed to withstand the wear and tear of being carried in a wallet.

Technology. Modern passport books are biometric and contain an embedded electronic microchip that stores the bearer’s photograph and other identifying information. This enhances security and helps prevent fraud.

The passport card is equipped with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. This allows for faster processing at specially equipped “Ready Lanes” at U.S. land and sea ports of entry.

What They Have in Common

Despite their differences, the book and card share some important features.

Validity period. For adults aged 16 and older, both the passport book and card are valid for 10 years. For minors under the age of 16, both are valid for 5 years.

REAL ID compliance. A crucial and often overlooked feature is that both the passport book and the passport card are acceptable forms of identification for domestic air travel within the United States. They’re compliant with the REAL ID Act.

This makes the passport card particularly valuable. While designed for specific international travel, it also serves as a secure, federally issued ID that’s more affordable than a passport book. For citizens who don’t drive or whose state-issued license is not REAL ID compliant, the passport card offers a cost-effective and portable solution for domestic flights and access to federal facilities.

Can You Apply Online?

The ability to apply for a passport book and card online is strictly limited. The U.S. Department of State’s online system is not a universal portal for all passport services. It’s a specialized tool for a very specific type of renewal.

The correct application method is determined by whether you’re a first-time applicant or a renewing applicant, and which documents you currently possess.

Renewing Both Documents Online

Yes, this is the only scenario where you can apply for both a passport book and a passport card online.

This service is available through the MyTravelGov portal and is subject to stringent requirements. To be eligible, you must meet all of the following conditions:

• Currently possess both a 10-year validity passport book and a passport card
• Be 25 years of age or older
• The current passports must be expiring within one year or have expired less than five years ago
• Not changing your name, gender, date of birth, or place of birth
• Have a mailing address in a U.S. state or territory (APO, FPO, and DPO addresses are not eligible)
• Not have international travel planned for at least six weeks from submission, as only routine service is available online
• Have your current passport book and card in your possession, and they cannot be damaged, mutilated, lost, or stolen

The process. Eligible applicants must create a secure Login.gov account to access the portal. The process involves filling out the application online, uploading a compliant digital photograph, and paying the required fees with a credit or debit card. The fee to renew both the book and card is $160.

First-Time Applicants

No. The U.S. Department of State does not, under any circumstances, permit online applications for first-time passports.

The reason. The entire U.S. passport issuance system is built upon a foundational, high-trust event: the in-person verification of an applicant’s identity.

Federal law and regulations mandate that first-time applicants appear in person before a designated passport acceptance agent. During this appointment, the agent physically inspects original documents, such as a birth certificate or Certificate of Naturalization, to establish citizenship. They confirm the applicant’s identity through a government-issued photo ID. The agent then administers an oath, and the applicant signs the application form in the agent’s presence.

This in-person vetting process is a critical security measure that cannot be replicated online. Until a federally accepted, secure digital identity system is established that can offer an equivalent level of assurance, the in-person requirement for first-time applicants will remain.

All first-time applicants must use Form DS-11 and submit it at an acceptance facility.

Adding a Card to an Existing Book (or Vice Versa)

No. The online renewal portal is designed exclusively for renewing the exact same documents you already hold. It cannot be used to request a new type of document.

The correct path. If you have a valid passport book and wish to add a passport card, apply by mail using Form DS-82. The State Department treats this as a “renewal,” even though it’s for a first-time card.

Applying for Your First Passport In Person

For all first-time applicants, including adults and minors, the process requires an in-person appearance at a passport acceptance facility.

The procedure is the same whether applying for a book, a card, or both together. The only differences are the boxes checked on the application form and the total fee paid. This bundled application is structured for maximum efficiency. You can obtain both documents with a single form, one photo, one appointment, and one execution fee.

Complete Form DS-11

The first step is to complete the “Application for a U.S. Passport,” Form DS-11. This can be done in two ways:

• Use the online Form Filler tool. This tool guides you through the form and generates a printable PDF. This is the recommended method.
• Download a blank PDF of Form DS-11 and fill it out by hand using black ink.

On the first page of the form, under “Please Select the Document(s) for which you are applying,” check the boxes for both “U.S. Passport Book” and “U.S. Passport Card.”

Do not sign the application form. The form must be signed in the presence of the passport acceptance agent.

Gather Your Documents

You must present original documents and also provide single-sided, black-and-white photocopies.

Proof of U.S. citizenship. An original or certified copy of one of the following is required. Digital versions are not accepted.

• U.S. birth certificate that meets all requirements (issued by city, county, or state; lists parent(s)’ full names; has a registrar’s seal and signature; filed within one year of birth)
• A full-validity, undamaged previous U.S. passport (can be expired)
• Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth

Proof of identity. A valid, government-issued photo identification document. Digital IDs are not accepted.

• Valid U.S. driver’s license (if out-of-state, a second ID is required)
• Undamaged U.S. passport book or card
• Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship
• U.S. military or other government employee ID

Photocopies. Provide a photocopy of the front and back of both the citizenship evidence and the photo ID on standard 8.5 x 11 inch paper.

Get One Photo

One color photograph, taken within the last six months, is required. The photo must be 2×2 inches in size with a white or off-white background. Even when applying for both the passport book and card, only one photo is necessary.

Prepare Your Fees

You must be prepared to make two separate payments.

Application fee. This payment is made to the “U.S. Department of State.” For a first-time adult applying for both a book and card, the fee is $160 ($130 for the book + $30 for the card). This is typically paid via check or money order.

Execution (acceptance) fee. This is a separate $35 fee paid directly to the acceptance facility for their services. Acceptance facilities have varying rules on payment methods, so check with the specific location beforehand.

A key benefit of applying for both documents at once is that only one $35 execution fee is charged.

Submit in Person

With the unsigned DS-11 form, original documents, photocopies, photo, and fees, the final step is to apply in person.

• Locate a nearby Passport Acceptance Facility using the online locator tool. These are often located in post offices, public libraries, or county clerk offices.
• Many facilities require an appointment, so call ahead or schedule online.
• At the appointment, the acceptance agent will review all documents, verify your identity, witness the signing of the DS-11 form, and collect the application and fees.

Renewing or Adding a Document Type by Mail

For U.S. citizens who already have a passport, the mail-in renewal process offers a convenient alternative to an in-person visit. This process, which uses Form DS-82, can be used not only to renew existing documents but also to add a new document type for the first time.

The State Department’s use of the term “renewal” in this context is procedural. It serves as a streamlined path for applicants whose identity has already been securely verified through a prior in-person application. Possessing a valid passport acts as a credential that unlocks this simplified, remote application method.

Eligibility to Renew by Mail

To use Form DS-82 and apply by mail, you must meet all of the following criteria:

• You can submit your most recent U.S. passport book and/or card with the application
• The passport is not significantly damaged, mutilated, lost, or stolen
• It was issued within the last 15 years
• It was issued when you were age 16 or older
• It was issued in your current name, or you can legally document a name change with an original or certified marriage certificate or court order

Renewing Both Your Book and Card by Mail

If you have both a passport book and a passport card and wish to renew both, the mail-in process is straightforward.

1. Complete and sign Form DS-82, “U.S. Passport Renewal Application for Eligible Individuals.” The form can be filled out online and printed or downloaded as a PDF. Check the boxes for both the passport book and card.
2. Include one new, compliant 2×2 inch passport photo.
3. Include a check or money order for $160 payable to the “U.S. Department of State.”
4. Mail both your current passport book and your current passport card with the application package. If either document has been lost or stolen, you’re ineligible to use Form DS-82 and must apply in person using Form DS-11.
5. Mail the complete package to the address specified on Form DS-82. Use a trackable mail service.

Adding Your First Card or Book by Mail

One of the most valuable but lesser-known aspects of the passport process is that eligible individuals can add a new document type by mail without an in-person visit.

If you have a passport book and want to add a passport card. An applicant with a valid passport book who meets the renewal criteria can apply for their first passport card by mail. Submit Form DS-82, check the box for the passport card, mail in the existing passport book, provide a new photo, and include a payment of $30 for the card application fee.

If you have a passport card and want to add a passport book. The same logic applies. Submit the form, your current passport card, a new photo, and the $130 application fee for the book.

This procedural shortcut saves you the time and expense of another in-person appointment and the $35 execution fee.

Passport Fees

Passport fees can be confusing because they often consist of multiple components and vary based on age, application type, and desired service speed. Submitting an incorrect fee amount is a common reason for application processing delays.

The Fee Structure

There are two primary types of fees for first-time applicants:

Application fee. This fee is paid directly to the “U.S. Department of State” and covers the cost of producing the passport document. It varies depending on the product (book, card, or both) and the applicant’s age.

Execution (acceptance) fee. This is a standard $35 fee paid directly to the passport acceptance facility (e.g., post office or library). It compensates the facility for its role in verifying your identity and documents. This fee is only required for applications that must be submitted in person (Form DS-11). It’s not paid for mail-in or online renewals.

Optional Expedited Services

For travelers who need their passports more quickly, there are optional fees for expedited processing and shipping.

Expedited service. For an additional $60 per application, the State Department will process the application faster than the routine service time.

1-2 day delivery. For an additional fee (currently $22.05), the completed passport book will be shipped via a 1-2 day delivery service. This expedited shipping option is not available for passport cards, which are always sent via standard First-Class Mail.

After You Apply

Once the application has been submitted, there are established procedures for tracking its progress and clear protocols for how the final documents are delivered.

Tracking Your Application

The status of a submitted passport application can be checked through the official Online Passport Application Status system. To access the system, you’ll need to provide your last name, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number.

It can take up to two weeks from the submission date for an application’s status to first appear as “In Process” in the online system. You can also opt-in to receive automatic email updates on your application status.

Expect Three Separate Mailings

A crucial point for applicants requesting both a passport book and card is to expect the arrival of your documents in multiple, separate mailings. This can be a source of confusion and anxiety if not anticipated.

When an application for both a book and card is approved, you’ll receive up to three separate envelopes, often arriving days or even weeks apart.

Mailing 1: The new passport book. The passport book is considered the highest-value document due to its validity for international air travel. It’s sent using a secure and trackable delivery service, such as USPS Priority Mail.

Mailing 2: The new passport card. The passport card is always sent via non-trackable USPS First-Class Mail.

Mailing 3: Return of original documents. Your original supporting documents, such as a birth certificate or Certificate of Naturalization, are returned in a separate envelope, also via non-trackable USPS First-Class Mail. This mailing may arrive up to four weeks after the new passport book has been received.

This differentiated shipping methodology is not arbitrary. It represents a deliberate risk management and cost-saving strategy by the Department of State. The significant security risk associated with a lost or stolen passport book justifies the higher cost of trackable, secure shipping. The passport card and original supporting documents, while valuable, represent a lower security risk and can be sent via more economical standard mail.

Understanding this logic helps manage expectations and prevents undue concern when documents arrive at different times. If more than four weeks have passed since receiving the new passport and supporting documents haven’t arrived, contact the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778.

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