A passport book is a traditional passport. It's a document that's issued by the U.S. Department of State to verify identify and nationality. You need a passport to fly anywhere outside of the United States, including Canada and Mexico.

Passports are valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for children under 16. They cost $100 for adults and $85 for children under age 16.

A passport card is a valid form of identification and nationality that can used to travel by land or sea when traveling to and from Canada, Mexico, many Caribbean islands and Bermuda. The passport card can NOT be used to travel by air.

A passport card is valid for the same amount of time as a passport book: 10 years for adults, five years for children under 16. If you already have a valid passport book, you can apply for a passport card as a passport renewal for a $20 fee. First time applications cost $45 for adult cards and $35 for children younger than 16.

Look at how you travel. If you ever want to fly internationally, then you need the traditional passport book.

If you never fly, but do drive across the border to either Canada or Mexico, you can use a passport card, which has the convenience of fitting into your wallet.

Having both forms of identification can also be useful. If you fish or canoe on lakes that cross borders, a passport card is convenient because you don't have to worry about getting your passport book wet.

While some Caribbean islands accept passport cards, other require passport books. Be sure to check with your cruise operator to make sure you have the proper form of identification.

New passports

If you are applying for a passport or passport card for the first time you must apply in person at one of 9000 passport acceptance facilities [make link to www.travel.state.gov/passport ] .

You also need to apply in person if:

• Your previous passport was lost, stolen or damaged.
• Your passport has expired and was issued more than 15 years ago.
• Your passport has expired and it was issued when you were younger than 16.
• Your name has changed since your passport was issued and you do not have a legal document formally verifying your name change.

First time passport applicants can download the application for DS-11 at the Department of State website [link: travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_830.html]. Do not sign the application until you are in the presence of a passport official.

You will also need one of the following proof of U.S. Citizenship documents:

• A certified birth certificate issued by the city, county or state. This document will have a raised, embossed, impressed or multicolor seal. Photocopies are not accepted.
• Naturalization certificate
• Certificate of Citizenship

If you do not have a U.S. passport or a birth certificate:

People who do not have a U.S. passport or birth certificate need a Letter of No Record -- a document issued by the state that declares there is no birth certificate on file for you. A Letter of No Record must include your name, date of birth and the years searched for a birth record.

In addition to a Letter of No Record, you should bring as many of the following documents as possible:

• Hospital birth certificate
• Baptismal certificate
• Census record
• Early school record
• Family bible record
• Doctor's record of post-natal care

These documents must show the show the date and place of birth.

If you were born abroad and do NOT have a Consular Report of Birth Abroad

If you were born abroad and do not have a Consular Report of Birth Abroad on file, you will need:

If you have one parent who is a U.S. citizen:

Foreign birth certificate

• Your American parent's proof of citizenship
• An affidavit of your American parent showing all periods and places of residence in the United States and abroad prior to your birth.

If you were born abroad to two parents who are U.S. citizens you will need:

• Your foreign birth certificate
• Parents' marriage certificate and an affidavit of your American parent showing all periods and places of residence in the United States and abroad prior to your birth.

If you have a valid passport that is not damaged, was received within the past 15 years, was issued when you were at least 16 years old and you still have the same name that's in the passport, you can renew your passport by mail using form DS-82, available online at:

http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/renew/renew_833.html

Complete the form --don't forget to sign it -- and attach your most recent passport, two identical passport photographs and a check for $75 made out to the U.S. Department of State.

Your previous passport will be returned with your new passport.

Put your application in a padded envelope and mail to the address listed on the form.

Call the passport acceptance facility nearest you at www.travel.state.gov/passport to see if they also take passport photos. If they don't, Kinko's, Sears and AAA are also good options. You may also take your own passport photo if you adhere to the strict requirements:  travel.state.gov/passport/guide/guide_2081.html outlined by the Department of State.

When posing for your passport photo, do not wear:

Hats or other head coverings unless you wear them on a daily basis for religious reasons.

Jewelry that covers your face.

Sunglasses or eyewear that will produce glare in the photograph.

According to the Department of State, both the passport book and passport card currently take three weeks to process. You can check processing times at the State Department's travel website (www.travel.state.gov/passport/get/processing/processing_1740.html).

If you need your passport in less than three weeks, you can pay an additional $60, plus the costs of two-way overnight shipping, to have your passport book expedited. Be sure to write "EXPEDITED" on the outside of mailed applications.

Some people prefer to pay an additional fee to hire a passport expediter service. Both A Briggs Passport & Visa Expeditors (www.abriggs.com) and ZVS (www.zvs.com) are reliable options.

Passport cards can not be expedited at this time.

Children younger than 16 must apply for their fist passports and renewal passports in person. Both parents must be present. If it is not possible for both parents to complete the application, you must have a notarized statement -- a permission letter, custody order or death certificate -- that explains the other parent's absence.

Children's passports are valid for five years and cost $85.

If your child was adopted from another country you will need:

• A certified copy of the final adoption decree
• Your child's foreign passport with INS's 1-551 stamp or the child's resident alien card
• Valid identification for both parents