American citizens traveling into Mexico now have the Passport cards For Mexico and an option of getting a less expensive and more convenient passport card that can be used to cross the border.

The new card is intended to be an alternative to a passport book.

And it comes as ports of entry are scheduled to stop accepting verbal answers on if someone is a U.S. citizen.

In June 2009, people will be required to show a passport or equivalent document in order to pass through a port of entry, said Brian Levin, public affairs liaison for Customs and Border Protection.

“It was this Tuesday that we learned from the Department of State that there will be substantial changes to the passport processing procedure effective Feb. 1. So, our office has been scrambling to make sure we are ready for those changes,” said Denise Lundin, clerk of Cochise County Superior Court.

The passport card will be more affordable and easier to carry than a traditional passport book. But, she said, the card is not ideal for everyone. It is best for people who routinely cross the border.

A passport book will cost $100 for adults and $85 for minors for first-time applicants. A renewal will cost $75 for adults. The book measures a relatively bulky 5 inches by 3 1/2 inches.

The passport card, on the other hand, will cost only $45 for adults and $35 for minors for first-time applicants. An adult who already has a passport book can get the passport card for $20. The card is small enough to fit in a wallet.

Both the passport book and card are valid for 10 years for adults and five years for minors.

However, while the passport book is valid for travel by air, sea or land, the passport card will not be valid for travel by air. The card will be good only for land and sea crossings between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean