Department of state passport services recently began issuing the passport card as an alternative to the traditional passport book. I currently have a passport card that was issued in june 2009. I believe getting the passport card is the same price as getting a passport book renewal. Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. All you have to do is mark the passport application to show you are requesting both the passport book and passport card. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. June 3, 2014 by travel maestro leave a comment johns u. If youve never had a us passport before, this article outlines how you go about getting a passport book not passport card for the first time if youre living in the us and are an adult. Your passport book can be used in any situation where a passport card could be used, but you may find that it is convenient for you to also have a passport card. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. What is the difference between a passport book and passport card. A passport card can be used on cruises that loop through the caribbean, for example.
If youre renewing your passport book and passport card, you must submit both documents. You will be required to submit your expired passport bookcard with your application. If you are applying for a passport, youll need to consider whether to get a. If you already have a passport book, you might be able to apply for your very first passport card by mail. Passport card can be used to enter the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at land border crossings or sea portsofentry and is more. The passport card is only valid for entry into the united states at land border crossings or sea ports of entry. It can also be used for domestic air travel in the usa. A us passport card can only be used for land and sea travel to canada, mexico or the caribbean. Sometimes it makes life more convenient to have both a passport book and a card, and carry them both on your international travel. What is the difference between a passport book and. Ed perkins a nationally recognized reporter, writer, and consumer advocate, ed perkins focuses on how travelers can find the best deals and avoid. Passport cards are valid for land and sea travel to and from canada, mexico and the countries of the caribbean.
For many people, especially those who are not united states expats, having both is an advantage. Does anyone know if the usa passport card can be used for entry in to the dominican republic or does a visitor need the book. When you apply for a passport card, youll spend less money than you would when. I will be needing to get a passport book within the next couple of years so i can travel to barbados. Ids that do not meet these minimum security standards wont be accepted for. The passport card is a walletsized identification card that proves us citizenship. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. Feb 21, 2020 mexico tourism is a great resource for things to do and places to stay, as well as everything you need to know before you go when planning a trip to the country protect your passport. I lost my passport card, and i would like to apply for a new one to make use of the expedited rfid lanes at the mexican border.
Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. Aug 10, 2012 a passport book is bigger than a passport card. The passport card contains a radio frequency identification chip as well as the traditional photograph and personal information found in a passport book. The united states passport card is an official identity and limited travel document issued by the united states federal government in the size of a credit card. Learn more about how a passport card differs from a passport book. Im not sure about the card, but the book doesnt take that excessively long to get it, but thats in canada. Unfortunately, you cannot upgrade your passport card to a passport book.
Firsttime passport card applicants who do not have a passport book traditional passport must go in person to a passport application facility, such as a post office or courthouse, and submit a completed passport application form, proof of us citizenship, one passport photo and the required fee. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults, and five years for travelers under age 16. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their. The passport book is valid for all international travel. Jun 03, 2014 do you need a passport book or passport card. Passport book allows you to travel by land, sea and air. A passport card can be used to enter the us states at land border crossing or seaportsof. Aug 18, 2016 today, united states citizens need a passport to travel to neighboring countries such as mexico and canada. A passport card is cheaper than a passport book, but cant be used for air. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. I live in canada and ive gotten into the us with the book.
A passport card is a smaller version of a passport book and fits inside a wallet. The united states passport card is an official identity and limited travel document issued by the. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. Problems may arise if you are forced to fly or disembark at an international location where you legally need a passport book to return through. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to barbados. You do not need a valid passport book in order to apply for a passport id card, and you can apply for either the card only, or you can apply for a passport book and a passport card at the same time. A passport book is required for all international travel by air.
Both passport books and cards are valid for 10 years, so if it fits your travel plans, the passport card can be a cheaper alternative. Do you need a passport card and book to go from the us to. I f youve wondered what the difference is between a passport book and a passport card, youve come to the right place. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. I suggest you get the card since you are going on a cruise. It is an alternative to carrying a conventional passport book and is valid for land and sea travel to and from mexico, canada, bermuda, and the caribbean. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport.
If you are traveling on to europe, youll need a passport with at least three months of remaining validity from. On the top of the ds82 application for passport renewal, you can select both. How to apply for a new passport card rush my passport. Do you know the difference between a passport and a passport card. How to obtain a duplicate passport and passport card. If you are traveling on to europe, youll need a passport with at least. Youll need to include your most recent passport, form ds82, an updated passport photo, payment for the new book andor card, and any documentation to. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel.
The us passport card allows you to enter the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at sea ports of entry, land border crossings and is more convenient and cheaper than a passport book. Whether you choose a passport book or a passport card is up to you. Feb 12, 2019 the passport card is the size of a drivers license and is used for convenience as it is smaller and cheaper than the passport book. You can apply for both a passport book and passport card at the same time using either form ds11 apply in person or form ds82 renew by mail must be eligible. To enter the united states at land border crossings or sea portsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda, you can use a passport book or a passport card. The other is the passport card, which is just like a drivers license. The passport card is good only for land and sea travel from border crossings and sea portsofentry into the united states from mexico, canada bermuda and the caribbean. The purpose of the passport book is to allow entry and exit to any. In order to apply for a passport book by mail, your current passport must meet the following requirements. However, you will need the book if youre flying across the border.
If you have a valid passport book, you do not have to get a passport card as well. If you want to renew both a valid passport book and passport card, you must submit both documents. The primary justification i had for doing so was tha. Anyone who will travel internationally by air must have a passport book.
Well help you determine whether you want or need to pay extra for the passport card. For example, if you can submit a passport book, but you lost your passport card, you cannot renew the passport card. I am in the process of getting passports for my kids and wondering if i should just get the card since it is cheaper. However, before you apply for a new passport card, consider carefully whether or not you might be better off getting a us passport book. The passport book is the most common passport to carry. Apr 06, 2016 all you have to do is mark the passport application to show you are requesting both the passport book and passport card. You will need a passport book if you plan to travel by airplane. Passport card can be used to enter the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at land border crossings or. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport.
Both the passport book and passport card serve as proof of your u. If you are applying for a passport, youll need to consider whether to get a passport book or a passport card. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. Getting your us passport as easily and quickly as possible. You must have the original copies of all required documents. However, if youre going on a caribbean cruise departing from the u. Mexico tourism is a great resource for things to do and places to stay, as well as everything you need to know before you go when planning a. A passport card is a card the size of a drivers license that is issued by the us state department.
Otherwise, it carries the rights and privileges of the u. Difference between a passport book and passport card. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. You should know that the passport card is only valid for travel by land and sea within mexico, canada, bermuda, and the caribbean, and you can not use it for air travel or for travel. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. The passport card is the size of a drivers license and is used for convenience as it is smaller and cheaper than the passport book. Depending on where you are traveling outside of the u. Passport card difference between passport book and passport card u. To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to indicate that you would like to apply for both products. If youre planning a trip to any other destination, then you would need a u. We want you to know about the upcoming changes to domestic air travel as part of.
Aug 10, 2012 in order to apply for your first passport card, youll need the same documentation you need to apply for a passport book. A passport card can be used to enter the us states at land border crossing or seaportsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. They can be used for land or sea travel to canada, mexico, bermuda. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. While governmentissued identification might seem to provide the same information, each id has unique characteristics. How to know if you need a passport book or passport card. I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time. To enter the united states at land border crossings or sea portsofentry from canada, mexico, the. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card. Today, united states citizens need a passport to travel to neighboring countries such as mexico and canada. The passport card can be used to enter the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at land border crossings or sea portsofentry and is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. From an american perspective, passport cards are fairly unique. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book.
Passport books can be accepted in any country unless theyve barred us citizens from entry, like north korea, and are valid for visa applications, while a passport card can only be used to enter countries by land or sea which countries can be accessed with us. If im remembering correctly, you can use your passport card when travelling by land or sea. How to obtain a duplicate passport and passport card its. The first us passport card was issued on july 14, 2008. If you have a passport book and you are eligible to use form ds82, you may apply for a passport card as a renewal by mail even if it is your first passport card. They are valid for five years from the date of issue, just like a minor passport book. Jun 02, 2018 from an american perspective, passport cards are fairly unique. One is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. Start today by applying for or renewing your passport. If youre a citizen of the united states, and youre thinking about traveling to mexico, but you dont yet have a passport, you might consider getting a passport card instead of a regular passport book.
The passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity. Passport cards are a form of us passport that are the size of a credit card or drivers license. My passport was issued to me when i was 17 years old and now 10 years later i believe i am eligible to renew it. Jun, 2019 how to get a us passport book first time.
Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport. If you already only have the passport book, you can get the passport card as well when you apply for your next passport renewal. They are valid for ten years for adults, and five years for children age 15 and younger. You cannot use a passport card when traveling by air internationally.
Our guide will show you the uses and advantages of each document, and will help you figure out which one is best for you, or if you should have both. Jan 23, 2019 whether you choose a passport book or a passport card is up to you. The passport card is also commonly used for travelers that wish to take a cruise but do not plan on ever traveling by plane. The passport card can not be used for international travel by air. If you can submit a passport book, but you lost your passport card, you cannot. The passport card facilitates entry and expedites document processing at u. Like a passport book, it proves your identity and us citizenship. In a short period of time, passport services received over 350,000 applications for the passport card. Us passport book and passport card online application. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. If you already hold a passport book, your card will be issued with a different number. Citizens of some countries, like those based in the european economic area, dont need a full passport book when traveling across borders, but instead carry a national identity card.
The passport card was created when it became necessary to use a passport for travel to and from us border communities. Ds11 only has options under have you ever had either a passport cardbook for no, loststolen, or submitted with application. They have been available to us citizens since 2008, and are meant to be a convenient way to prove your identity and citizenship. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. Adults who already have a fully valid passport book may apply for the card as a passport renewal. It was designed for people who travel frequently between the u. A passport card allows significantly fewer opportunities for the holder to travel, but often its enough for some. You can use the passport card to keep in your wallet at all times, with the passport book at home and ready to go should the need to travel internationally by air arises. To enter canada, your passport book or card must be valid at the time of entry. Travel articles do you need a passport or a passport card. Jan 11, 2019 you will need a passport book if you plan to travel by airplane. The us passport card is a credit cardsized identification document. To renew a childs passport bookcard you would need to submit the paperwork via the post office and you will need an appointment to do this. Differences between a passport book and passport card.
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