Why U.S. Passport Cards Cannot Replace Books on Overseas Flights

Americans planning international air travel need a passport book, even though a passport card works for certain land or sea crossings. WASHINGTON, DC, November 6, 2026 – American citizens planning international journeys must distinguish between the United States passport book and the smaller passport card because these government-issued identity documents offer different travel privileges, even though both establish American nationality and citizenship. Although the wallet-sized passport card offers a convenient alternative for certain border crossings involving Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and qualifying Caribbean destinations, federal regulations prohibit its use as a substitute for the traditional passport book when traveling internationally by air.

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