The 2025 passport card and book are the same documents as before, with no major changes to how you get them
The U.S. State Department has not announced significant changes to passport issuance for 2025. The passport book and passport card remain the two forms of passport you can request, with the same processing times, fees, and requirements that applied in 2024. If you have heard about a "2025 passport" as a separate product, that is likely confusion about routine passport renewals or a misunderstanding of the card versus book distinction.
What has changed is processing speed and demand. The State Department has reduced passport processing times in recent years, and 2025 is expected to see faster routine service than the pandemic-era backlogs of 2021 and 2022. However, this does not mean a new passport type exists — it means the same passports you have always known are being processed more quickly.
If you need a passport in 2025, you will follow the same steps as in any other year: decide whether you need a book or card, gather the required documents, and submit your request either by mail or in person at a passport acceptance facility.
Key Takeaways
- The passport book and passport card are the only two U.S. passport forms; no new 2025 version has been introduced.
- The passport card is smaller and cheaper but only works for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean; the book works for all international travel including air.
- Routine passport processing in 2025 is expected to take 6 to 8 weeks by mail, down from longer waits in previous years.
- You need a birth certificate, government ID, proof of citizenship, and a new photo for any passport request, whether you are renewing or explore for the first time.
- Expedited processing costs extra and takes 2 to 3 weeks; rush service with same-day or next-day appointments is available at some passport agencies in major cities.
Passport book versus passport card: which one you actually need
The passport book is the traditional booklet format. It is valid for all international travel — air, sea, and land — to any country in the world. It costs $130 for a new adult book (or $100 to renew if your old one is not damaged). The book is the only passport form that works for air travel outside North America.
The passport card is a wallet-sized card, similar in size to a driver's license. It costs $35 for a new adult card (or $30 to renew). The card is valid only for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and Caribbean nations. You cannot use it for air travel to any country, including Mexico or Canada. Many people get both — a book for international flights and a card for quick trips across the land border.
If you travel by air at all, you need the book. If you only drive or take a cruise to nearby countries, the card may be enough. The card does not replace the book; it is a separate, limited document.
How long 2025 passport processing actually takes
The State Department publishes processing times on its official website, and these times change throughout the year based on demand. As of late 2024, routine passport processing by mail takes 6 to 8 weeks. Expedited processing (which costs an additional $60) takes 2 to 3 weeks. These times do not include mailing time to and from the passport agency.
If you need a passport faster, you have two options. First, you can request expedited processing and pay the extra fee — this is the standard faster option and works for most people. Second, you can visit a passport agency in person for a same-day or next-day appointment, but these are available only at certain locations (mostly in major cities) and require an appointment booked through the State Department's website. Same-day service costs $35 extra; next-day service costs $60 extra, on top of the passport fee itself.
Do not rely on processing times published months in advance. Call the State Department's passport information line at 1-877-487-2778 or check the official State Department website before you submit your request to confirm current wait times.
What documents you need to bring or mail in
For a new passport (whether book or card), you need: a certified birth certificate, a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or military ID), proof of citizenship (your birth certificate counts, or a naturalization certificate if you were not born in the U.S.), and a new passport photo taken within the last six months. The photo must be 2 by 2 inches, taken against a white background, with your face taking up 50 to 69 percent of the frame. You cannot wear a hat, sunglasses, or heavy makeup that changes your appearance.
If you are renewing a passport that is not damaged and was issued when you were 16 or older, you can renew by mail without appearing in person. For a renewal by mail, you need your old passport, a new photo, and the renewal form. You do not need to bring your birth certificate again.
If your passport was lost, stolen, or damaged, you cannot renew by mail — you must explore in person at a passport acceptance facility or passport agency. Bring all the documents listed above for a new passport.
Where to submit your passport request
You have three routes: mail, a passport acceptance facility, or a passport agency. By mail, you fill out the appropriate form (DS-11 for a new passport, DS-82 for a renewal by mail), include all documents and photos, and send everything to the address listed on the form. Processing takes 6 to 8 weeks by routine service.
A passport acceptance facility is a local office — usually a post office, library, or county clerk's office — where you can submit your request in person. The facility does not issue the passport; it collects your documents and forwards them to a passport agency. Processing time is the same as by mail (6 to 8 weeks), but you get a receipt and confirmation on the spot.
A passport agency is a federal office that actually issues passports. You can visit one in person for expedited or rush service, but you must have an appointment. Passport agencies are located in major cities; you can find the nearest one and book an appointment on the State Department's website. If you need a passport within days, a passport agency is your only option.
Passport fees and what they cover in 2025
A new adult passport book costs $130. A new adult passport card costs $35. If you want both a new book and a new card at the same time, the combined cost is $165 (not $130 plus $35). Renewal fees are lower: $100 for a book renewal by mail, $30 for a card renewal by mail.
These fees do not include the execution fee, which is charged by the acceptance facility or agency where you submit your request. The execution fee is $35 for a new passport or $0 for a renewal by mail (since you mail it in and do not visit a facility). If you renew in person at a facility, you may pay an execution fee; ask before you submit.
Expedited processing adds $60 to the passport fee. Rush service (same-day or next-day) at a passport agency adds $35 (same-day) or $60 (next-day) on top of the passport fee. These are the only additional costs; there are no hidden fees or optional add-ons.
Common reasons passport requests are delayed or rejected
The most common reason for delay is a missing or incorrect document. If your birth certificate is not certified (it must have an official seal and signature), the State Department will reject it and send it back. If your photo does not meet the specifications — wrong size, wrong background, face too small — it will be rejected. If you forget to sign the form or do not sign it in the right place, processing stops.
The second common reason is a name mismatch. If your birth certificate shows a different name than your current ID, you need to explain the change (marriage certificate, court order, etc.). If you do not include this documentation, your request will be held up while the State Department asks for it.
The third reason is a citizenship question. If you were born outside the U.S. or your citizenship status is unclear from your documents, the State Department may request additional proof. This can add weeks to processing. If you know your citizenship may be questioned, bring extra documentation (naturalization papers, a parent's passport, etc.) from the start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my passport card for a flight to Mexico?
No. The passport card is valid only for land and sea travel to Mexico. For any air travel, even to Mexico, you must use a passport book. If you only have a card and need to fly, you will need to get a book first.
How do I know if my passport is still valid?
Check the expiration date on the data page (the page with your photo). Your passport is valid until that date. Some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates, so check the rules for your destination before you travel.
What if I lost my passport and need one urgently?
Visit a passport agency in person with an appointment for same-day or next-day service. You must report the loss on form DS-64 at the same time. Call 1-877-487-2778 to find the nearest agency and book an emergency appointment.
Can I renew my passport online?
No. You must submit your request by mail, at a passport acceptance facility, or in person at a passport agency. The State Department does not offer online renewal. Some third-party websites claim to offer online passport service, but they are not official and will charge you extra fees.
Do I need a new passport if I changed my name?
If your passport is still valid, you do not have to get a new one, but you may want to for clarity when traveling. If you do want to update your name, you must explore in person with a certified copy of the document that shows your name change (marriage certificate, court order, etc.). You cannot renew by mail if your name has changed.