You’ll submit your passport card as part of the package, instead of submitting a passport book. You’ll be able to use your passport card to apply for a passport book using Form DS-82 and the same procedure that is used for passport renewals. I have a valid passport card, but now I want to get a passport book. You don’t need to wait for one to expire to apply for the other. No, you can apply for them separately, at your convenience. Do I have to apply for a passport book and a passport card at the same time? The State Department never reuses them – after a number has been used once, it is never used again! Each passport book and card has a completely unique number. Passport book numbers are 9 numerals long, and passport cards start with the letter C followed by 8 numerals. The US State Department uses different number formats for books and cards.

No, your book and card will have two completely different numbers. Will my passport card have the same number as my passport book? It can be used for land or sea travel to Canada, Mexico, and many Caribbean islands, but it is not valid for any international travel by air. A passport card serves as official identification and proof of your US citizenship.

Passport cards are a card-sized version of a US passport. Today, we’ll take a closer look at passport cards and answer your most pressing questions! Recently, many of you have posted questions about passport cards on our pages about how to get a passport card and the difference between passport books and passport cards. Do you have any questions about passport cards, passport renewals, or any other travel document issue? is here to help! You can send us a private message on our contact form or post a question or comment on any of our pages.

Passport card vs passport book