"Which one should I get - a passport book or a passport card?"  I hear that question quite a bit, so I thought I'd pass along some information to you...

Per the http://travel.state.gov website, a PASSPORT CARD can be used to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry and is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air.

If you think you will only ever travel out of the US via cruise and never FLY outside the US, then by all means I would suggest obtaining a Passport Card.  However, if there is a possibility that you may want to fly to Europe to do a Mediterranean cruise or see Paris or wherever your dreams may take you, then you MUST have a Passport Book.

Prices are changing effective JULY 13, 2010 and the new pricing is as follows:

 

U.S. Passport Book
			Passport Fee Payable to Department of State	Acceptance Fee Payable to Acceptance Facility	Total Applicant Fee
Adults: First-Time (Age 16 and older)			$110	$25	$135
Adults: Renewal (Applying with DS-82)			$110	$0	$110
Minors (Under age 16)			$80	$25	$105
U.S. Passport Card
			Passport Fee Payable to Department of State	Acceptance Fee Payable to Acceptance Facility	Total Applicant Fee
Adults: First-Time (Age 16 and older)			$30	$25	$55
Adults: Renewal (Applying with DS-82)			$30	$0	$30
Minors (Under age 16)			$15	$25	$40
Other Service Fees
Additional Visa Pages					$82
File Search Fee					$150
Expedite Processing					$60

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Here is some more information you should know:

 

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative

Before you travel, learn the entry requirements of the foreign country you are traveling to.

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative Passport Requirements
Returning to the U.S. From	Type of Travel		Document Required
Any International Location		Air Commercial airplane, private airplane, etc.	U.S. Passport Book
Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean Region		Land Car, bus, train, by foot, etc.	U.S. Passport Book or Card
Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean Region		Sea Commercial cruise line, private boat, etc	U.S. Passport Book or Card
A U.S. Territory		Air, Land or Sea	Valid Photo ID

 

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security will allow certain groups of travelers to re-enter
the United States without a U.S. passport, like members of the military and supervised groups
of children.  WHTI travel requirements for these groups and the general public can be
found at www.GetYouHome.gov.

 

 

For more information, please be sure to contact the US Department of State at http://Travel.State.Gov.