Passport card difference between passport book and passport card u. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults, and five years for travelers under age 16. The passport card facilitates entry and expedites document processing at u. Well help you determine whether you want or need to pay extra for the passport card. Is a question frequently asked by our readers if you are traveling to mexico, canada, and the caribbean as a u. Of the internal pages, 17 are blank pages marked visas that are meant for travel visas and country entry and exit stamps. How a passport can help you fly domestically travel us. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. Most nations issue this type of passport with a durable outer cover that protects a number of interior paper pages. The passport card is a walletsized identification card that proves us citizenship. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. Entering the united states at land border crossings and sea portsofentry from.
To protect yourself against emergency situations, go with a passport book, which covers all international travel by air, sea or land. Lets take a look at the simplest and quickest ways to get your hands on a valid passport book or card, and how much you can expect to spend. Apply for a passport card travel us department of state. Find a passport application acceptance facility card. It can also be used for domestic air travel in the usa. A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. Although, keep in mind, while both can be used as forms of id when traveling, the passport card has some restrictions. Although, keep in mind, while both can be used as forms of id. Differences between a passport book and passport card. 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 your typical passport, a bound, paged booklet that is issued by the us department of state verifying your identity and nationality, usually for the purpose of traveling internationally all international air travel for us passport holders, regardless of origin or destination airport, must be accompanied by a valid us passport book. 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. Read on to learn how you can apply for your passport card and lighten your load for your next journey.
There are different passport card fees depending on if you are an adult or a minor. The passport card contains a radio frequency identification chip as well as the traditional photograph and personal information found in a passport book. Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the u. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. Passport books and cards are alternatives to a stateissued id. A passport card is the same size as a drivers license, and is. 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. It is smaller and more convenient to carry than a passport book, and it is less expensive to obtain. If youre applying for a passport card for the first time, youll want to find a passport. I will be needing to get a passport book within the next couple of years so i can travel to barbados. You can mail your renewal application directly to the state department yourself. They have been available to us citizens since 2008, and are meant to be a convenient way to prove your identity and citizenship. Lost my us passport card not the passport open forum. Getting your us passport as easily and quickly as possible.
H ave you ever wished your passport could fit inside your wallet. If you are traveling by air or to most countries, you will need a traditional passport book, with pages for your various visas. Passport book the passport book is designed to be used for all types of international travel. The adult and minor passport card fees are about the same. The united states passport card is an official identity and. It was designed for people who travel frequently between the us and canada, mexico, bermuda or the caribbean by land or sea. Only one execution fee is charged for an individual applying for both a card and book at the same time. Us passport book and passport card online application. In certain circumstances, citizens may wish to obtain a passport card rather than a passport book, for reasons of cost and convenience. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel.
A us passport card can only be used for land and sea travel to canada, mexico or the caribbean. If i apply using form ds82, submitting my current passport book as proof of citizenship, does it get returned to me still valid, or does it get cancelled. Hi all, i lost my us passport card the new ones that are given for land and sea entry. 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. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to barbados. A passport book is required for all international travel by air. The card can be used for entering the united states at land border crossings and sea portsofentry from. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. Your passport number is at the top right corner of the page your photo is on. 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. The difference between passport and passport card us. 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. How will my completed passport book andor passport card be sent to. But the passport book that most americans are familiar with isnt the only kind of travel document available in the us theres also the passport card, which is made of plastic and is about the.
Passport books are relatively small documents, generally 5 inches tall by 3. A passport card can provide a more convenient, cheaper alternative to carrying your passport book. A passport card can be used to enter the us states at land border crossing or seaportsof. If they are issued for full validity, they both can be used as proof of your us citizenship and identification. 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.
Department of state of the views or products contained therein. How to get a passport card us passport office locations. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. The passport book is accepted for any form of international travel and is also the document that holds your visas. Previously issued passport book or passport card official military identification card a photocopy of the valid form of identification id, showing the front and back of the id and provided on plain white 8 12 x 11 paper must be sent in with the passport applications. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card. There is no available way to get a same day passport, but you can choose to get same day service on a regular passport book with us passport now. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv.
You should expect significant delays if you applied for or renewed your passport and requested routine service. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. You can use form ds82 to renew your passport book at the same time you apply for your first passport card. The state departments website offers complete details and an online application form. You can get a us passport card, whether or not you currently hold a passport book. Passport application status due to public health measures to prevent the spread of covid19, we suspended offering expedited service on march 19, 2020.
A passport card can be used to enter the us states at land border crossing or seaportsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. I have a us passport book, and i would like to apply for a us passport card to have in addition to my passport book. The passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. Adult passports are valid for 10 years and may be renewed by mail. Therefore, a statement is required when applying for a new u. Complete online and submit form ds82 available using the online passport wizard. A passport card carries many of the same benefits as a passport book, it just resembles a credit card and has certain restrictions.
A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air. The passport card cannot be used for international air travel. The card cannot be used for international air travel. Passport card can be used to enter the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at land border crossings or. How to apply for a new passport card rush my passport. You can use this creditcardsized document to reenter the united states from mexico, canada, bermuda and the caribbean when traveling by land or sea. The us passport card is a credit cardsized identification document. A passport card is also available for certain travel situations. The passport card has one fee for us citizens when you apply for the first time, and another fee when you already have a passport.
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