Passport Cards

Passport cards are a new, limited use passport, which is more portable and less expensive than a traditional passport. A passport card may only be used for land and seaport travel between the United States, Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.

Apply for a Passport Card in Person

Applicants must appear in person to request a NEW passport card.

Fill out the passport application (Form DS-11) (available online or in our office).
Submit Proof of U.S. Citizenship with one of the following:
- U.S. Passport - a previously issued U.S. Passport, if issued less than 15 years ago.
- Birth Certificate - a certified copy of a birth certificate (SEE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR A BIRTH CERTIFICATE)
  
  (NOTE: California Birth Abstracts, Hospital Certificates and Baptismal Certificates are not acceptable. Click here for a state-by-state listing of where to obtain a certified Birth Certificate for a particular state. If you were born in Orange County, click here for information on ordering a certified copy).
- Naturalization Certificate
- Certificate of Citizenship
Submit 2 identical photographs. Only 2 photographs need to be submitted if an applicant is applying for both a passport and passport card at the same time. Applicants may purchase their photos from the Clerk-Recorder Department.
Show identification with one of the following:
- Driver's license
- Military I.D.
- Department of Motor Vehicles I.D.
- Employment badge (if it has a photograph, signature, issue and expiration date).
- A parent with one of these forms of identification may identify a child younger than 16
You must submit plain copies on 8½ x 11 white paper of both the front and back of the identification you present.

Passport Card Renewal by Mail

Applicants may renew their passport card by mail if the previous passport card is less than 15 years old and the applicant was at least 16 when they applied for their previous passport card.

To RENEW a passport by mail, the applicant must:

Complete and sign an "Application for Passport by Mail" (Form DS-82)
Submit the most recent U.S. passport or passport card
Show proof of name change, such as a certified marriage certificate or court order (if applicable)
Include 2 identical photographs
Mail all of the above items, along with a check, cashier’s check or money order in the amount of $20.00 payable to U.S. PASSPORT SERVICES, to the following address:

National Passport Processing
P.O. Box 13349
Philadelphia, PA 19101-3349

The National U.S. Passport Center will process the passport card renewal application within 4-6 weeks and mail the renewed passport card directly to the applicant.

Passport Card Fees

FEES for a TEN-YEAR Passport (16 years or older) are as follows:

$20.00
$25.00
$45.00 Total

The above fees of $75.00 and $25.00 are separate fees and must be paid independently. The $75.00 fee is sent to U.S. Passport Service along with the Passport application. The $25.00 fee is for processing the application.

Make check, cashier's check, or money order payable to U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. We will take cash, personal check, cashier's check, money order, Discover, American Express, MasterCard Credit and Debit, Visa Debit (with no Interlink logo on the card) for our part of the payment. We do not accept Visa Credit. An additional $2.50 terminal usage charge will be applied per Debit/Credit card transaction. Please make checks payable to ORANGE COUNTY CLERK-RECORDER.

FEES for FIVE-YEAR Passport (15 years or younger) are:

$10.00
$25.00
$35.00 Total

Expedited Services

Expedited Services are not available for passport cards.

Security

Passport cards use Radio Frequency Identification technology (RFID). For more information on this technology, please visit the State Department website at: travel.state.gov/passport/ppt_card/ppt_card_3921.html