American Passport Card Accessibility Act

Key Points

• Rep. Underwood introduced a bill that would make passport cards free for all Americans. Currently, adults usually pay $30 and children pay $15 for these cards, not including separate processing fees for first-time applicants.
• A passport card is a wallet-sized ID that allows you to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean by land or sea. It is a cheaper alternative to a passport book, though it cannot be used for international flights.
• The bill aims to make it easier and more affordable for people to get a valid federal ID for travel. This is especially helpful for people living near the borders or those who travel by cruise ship and may not want to pay for a full passport book.
• While the basic cost of the card would be eliminated, you would still have to pay a fee if you need your card processed quickly. The extra charge for "expedited service" would stay the same for those who need their ID in a hurry.

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.