If you have a passport card and suddenly realize you need to fly internationally—whether to Barbados, Europe, or anywhere else—you have discovered the card's main limitation: it is not valid for air travel.
However, you do not need to start from scratch. You can use your existing passport card to apply for a passport book by mail, saving you time and money compared to a first-time application.
Step 1: Use Form DS-82 (The Shortcut)
Even though you are applying for a "new" product (the book), the State Department treats this as a renewal because your identity is already verified. You can use Form DS-82.
This allows you to apply by mail and skip the $35 execution fee charged at acceptance facilities.
Step 2: Calculate Your Fees
Since you are mailing it in, you only pay for the book itself.
- Passport Book Application Fee: $130
- Execution Fee: $0
Make your check or money order payable to "U.S. Department of State."
Step 3: Mail Your Card (The Hard Part)
This is the most important logistical detail: You must mail your actual, valid passport card with the application.
This means you will be without any travel document for the entire processing period (currently 6-8 weeks for routine service).
⚠️ Warning: Don't let them cancel it!
If your passport card still has valid years remaining and you want to keep using it after this process, you must tell the passport agency not to cancel it. Otherwise, they may punch holes in it when they issue your book.
The Fix: Attach a sticky note to your card saying: "Please return valid card. Applying for book only."
Traveling in Less Than 8 Weeks?
If you have a flight coming up and cannot wait months for your documents, standard mail service is risky.
We recommend using Rush My Passport.
They can expedite your application to get your new passport book processed in as little as one week. Because they review your documents before submission, you avoid the common mistakes that cause delays.
Start your expedited application now
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my passport card number change?
No. If your card is returned valid, it keeps its number. However, your new passport book will have a completely different number. The two documents never share the same ID number.
Can I expedite this process?
Yes. You can pay the government's $60 expedite fee for 2-3 week service, or use a private courier service for faster results.
Top 5 Questions About Expedited Passport Couriers
2. What exactly does a passport expediter do?
3. Are passport expediting services legitimate?
4. How can I identify a reliable passport expeditor?
5. Is expedited passport service worth it?
Get answers to these questions and more in our Ultimate U.S. Traveler's Guide to Passport Expediters.
You can also visit our library of articles about passport expediting.
