Get or renew a passport card
A passport card is a lower-cost U.S. passport option for land and sea travel to certain places, and Passlane can explain the official process in plain language and connect you, free of charge, with an independent private expediter if you want help moving faster.
What a passport card is
A passport card is a real U.S. passport document, but it is not the same as a passport book. It is usually used for entering the United States by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and some Caribbean countries. It is not valid for international air travel.
For many people, the card is useful if you cross a land border often or take certain cruises. If you may fly internationally, you usually need a passport book instead. Some travelers choose to apply for both.
Passlane is an independent private company. We are not the U.S. Department of State, not the National Passport Information Center, not USCIS, and not an embassy or consulate. We do not issue passports or process government applications. We provide free information and, if you want, a free match to an independent private passport expediting service through Get matched.
How the official process works
The way you apply depends on your situation. If you qualify to renew, many adults can usually renew by mail using Form DS-82. If this is your first passport, your previous passport cannot be renewed by mail, or you are applying for a child, you usually apply in person with Form DS-11 at a passport acceptance facility.
Children under 16 generally need both parents or guardians to be involved. Rules can be different in special cases, so check the official government instructions carefully.
Typical timing depends on the route you choose. Routine service often takes about 4 to 6 weeks. Expedited service through the government usually takes about 2 to 3 weeks and requires an extra official government expedite fee. For urgent travel, some people may qualify for a passport agency appointment, often for travel within about 14 days, or sooner in a life-or-death emergency. These are estimates, not promises. For a simple breakdown, see timelines and fees.
Documents, fees, and what you pay for
Common items you may need include:
- A completed government form, usually DS-11 or DS-82
- Proof of U.S. citizenship, if required
- Acceptable photo ID, if required
- A passport photo that meets government rules
- Payment for the official government fee
If you use a private expediter, that company may also charge a separate service fee for helping move your application through the allowed private courier process. The official government fee is separate and not included in a private expediter's fee. Always confirm the current government fee on the official government website.
You can always apply directly with the government yourself at no service charge. That is a real option. Passlane is only a matching and information service. We do not ask for your Social Security number, passport number, or scanned documents on this site. Our forms collect only basic contact and request details.
Ways to go faster, and when outside help may make sense
If you need your passport card quickly, there are a few legitimate faster routes. You may be able to choose the government's expedited processing, or in urgent cases try for a passport agency appointment if you meet the travel timing rules. You can read more in how to expedite a passport.
Some travelers also use an independent private passport expediting service. These companies do not decide approval and cannot create a passport card themselves. What they usually do is review required items, help avoid common mistakes, and courier your application to move it through the official process as efficiently as allowed.
No one can guarantee approval or a specific timeline. Only the government can issue a passport. Passlane does not give legal or immigration advice. If your question is about immigration status, citizenship, or a legal problem, speak with a licensed immigration attorney or accredited representative.
A passport card can work for some land border crossings and cruises, but not for international flights. You can apply directly with the government yourself, or you can ask Passlane to connect you for free with an independent private expediter. Passlane is not a government agency, does not process applications, and cannot promise approval or exact timing.