The Department of State today issues four types of passports to citizens and non-citizen nationals. The different types include regular, official, diplomatic, and emergency passports. The regular passport has a blue cover on top and is valid for a period of 10 years from the date of issue if the passport holder is 16 and above. For children under the age of 15 the passport is valid for a period of 5 years.

The official type has maroon cover at top and is valid for five years. It is generally issued to government employees of US assigned overseas jobs and also to members of the congress that travel abroad on official business. The diplomatic type of passport has a black cover and has a validity of five years. It is issued to American diplomats and their eligible dependents that travel abroad for diplomatic work. Emergency passports are issued to citizens overseas in emergency situations and are generally valid for a period of one year from the date issue.

Holders of USA passport cards issued by the department of state can travel via land and sea to neighboring countries, such as Canada, Mexico, and a few Caribbean destinations. However, air travel is not allowed as passport cards unlike USA passports do not meet ICAO standards.