# Travel >> Travel Preparation >> Passports

How to Apply for the U.S. Passport Card

The United States of America requires a passport card to enter the United States from certain land borders and sea ports-of-entry. The land borders and sea ports include Canada, Mexico, Caribbean and Bermuda. According to the United States Department of State, the passport card can take up to eight weeks to arrive, once all applicable paperwork is pushed through; therefore, order the passport card early to ensure on-time delivery. The passport card differs from a passport book. The passport book, previously known as a passport, is required for all U.S. citizens who travel outside of the United States.

Current Passport card
Form DS 82
Form DS 11
Proof of U.S. citizenship
Identification card
Passport Photo
Money

Instructions

- 1
  Obtain a renewal for your passport card if you currently have a passport card. Apply through a form DS 82 which is found online, at a United States Post Office or through a passport agency. To apply through the form DS 82, the citizen must have a current passport card less than 15 years old and the card must have been obtained when the citizen was over the age of 16. Fill out the form and take the current passport card, and fee money, to the Post Office or passport agency to file a renewal.
- 2
  Apply for a new passport card in person. New applicants will fill out a form DS 11 to apply for a new passport card. The application can be found online, at a Post Office or a passport agency.
- 3
  Visit the Post Office or passport agency once the form DS 11 is completed. In addition to the form, you will need proof of U.S. citizenship such as a birth certificate, a current identification card such as a driver's license, photo for the passport card and the fee for the passport card.