The passport card contains a radio frequency identification chip as well as the traditional photograph and personal information found in a passport book. In july of 2008, due to requests from residents along us borders for a more portable and easier application process than a regular passport, the united states department of state began issuing passport cards, a wallet sized identity card usable. You should expect significant delays if you applied for or renewed your passport and requested routine service. Both the passport card and passport book are proof of your u. 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. Of the internal pages, 17 are blank pages marked visas that are meant for travel visas and country entry and exit stamps. You can use form ds82 to renew your passport book at the same time that your apply for your passport card. You cannot use the us passport card for air travel at all. Although, keep in mind, while both can be used as forms of id. A passport card can be used to enter the us states at land border crossing or seaportsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. To protect yourself against emergency situations, go with a passport book, which covers all international travel by air, sea or land. Passport book cover, passport wallet for menwomem, rfid blocking travel passport wallet. If you already have a passport or if you are renewing your passport card, you might be able to submit your application by mail. The purpose of the passport card is to offer a more convenient option than a regular passport book for us residents who frequently cross the border, typically by.
Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. The first version is the conventional passport book and the second one is in the form of passport card. Although, keep in mind, while both can be used as forms of id when traveling, the passport card has some restrictions. Passport card is a limited travel document issued by the united states federal government in the size of a credit card. The passport book is accepted for any form of international travel and is also the document that holds your visas. Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages. The card cant be used for international air travel. If youre renewing your passport book and passport card, you must submit both documents. It was designed for people who travel frequently between the us and canada, mexico, bermuda or the caribbean by land or sea.
Passport book is widely used for international travel while passport card is used for united states citizens who live in border territories in the us. If so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card. Passport cards cannot be used for international air travel, even within the 19 mostly caribbean countries that accept the cards at land or sea ports. Differences between a passport book and passport card. The primary differences determine where and how the holder may travel. It will otherwise carry the rights and privileges of the u. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. You can even write a letter to the us dept of state reminding them to return your valid passport book. The passport card facilitates entry and expedites document processing at u.
We are an independent entity providing assistance to obtain passports. Additional fees may apply for specific passport requests. May, 2019 in this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. Enhanced drivers license many people may not know but depending on the state that you live in a third option is available to you.
Only available for passport book applicants in the united states not canada. The passport book comes as either 28 or 52 pages and is valid for five years. Only one execution fee is charged for an individual applying for both a card and book at the same time. If they are issued for full validity, they both can be used as proof of your us.
It is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors under 16. You can use form ds82 to renew your passport book at the same time you apply for your first passport card. So, given the differences between a passport book vs passport card, which one is right for you. First of all, a passport card can be used for travel by sea to barbados. A passport card looks like a drivers license or credit card in size. Well help you determine whether you want or need to pay extra for the passport card. Us passport book and passport card online application.
Our website will assist you in filling in your application and we also offer a live chat free service, should you have any queries or need any online help. The passport card was designed for the specific needs of northern and southern u. The card can be used for entering the united states at land border crossings and sea portsofentry from. However, if youre considering a passport book vs passport card, just get both. For children age 15 and under, the passport is valid for 5 years and for adults 16 and older it is valid for 10 years. The us passport card is good for land and sea travel from mexico, canada, bermuda and the caribbean into the united states. 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. You must prove both us citizenship and identity in a passport or passport card application. 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. Here are the countries and territories where a us passport card is valid. Feb 12, 2019 passport book the passport book is designed to be used for all types of international travel. Of the internal pages, 17 are blank pages marked visas that are. The card may not be used to travel by air outside the united states.
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 have been available to us citizens since 2008, and are meant to be a convenient way to prove your identity and citizenship. Otherwise if you never had a us passport book and you are not able to use form ds82 you then must apply in person with form ds11. 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. If you are traveling by air or to most countries, you will need a traditional passport book, with pages for your various visas. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their travels abroad. I currently have a passport card that was issued in june 2009. You can apply for a us passport card by mail if you already have a us passport book and eligible to use form ds82. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. It can also be used for domestic air travel in the usa. You can mail your renewal application directly to the state department yourself. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. If you have a passport card, you can also use it to drive across the canadian border and to. How to apply for a new passport card rush my passport.
We are a private company that is authorized to process us passport books. The state departments website offers complete details and. The passport card is a walletsized identification card that proves us citizenship. As of march 25, 2020, post offices which are still accepting applications are requiring customers to make an online appointment to apply in.
Passport cards are a form of us passport that are the size of a credit card or drivers license. Youll use the same form that you would use to apply for a passport book either a ds11 or ds82. Reasons to get a passport book or card a passport card and book are both considered us passports. A passport book is a product of the federal government. Passport books are approved ids for domestic flights. A passport book is larger and is most often in television shows or movies. Therefore, a statement is required when applying for a new u. Randy randolph your passport book will be returned with your new passport card, in order to get a passport card you still need to apply for a renewal. Passport card difference between passport book and passport card u.
You may be able to apply for a passport card without submitting your passport book. Finally, your passport card will be returned to you. The difference between passport and passport card us. All passport cards will be returned using first class. However, before you apply for a new passport card, consider carefully whether or not you might be better off getting a us passport book. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. You cannot use a passport card when traveling by air internationally. If issued for the full validity, they are both proof of your u. The traditional passport book is still required for most travel purposes. I will be needing to get a passport book within the next couple of years so i can travel to barbados. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips.
A passport card is cheaper than a passport book, but cant be used for air travel and is only valid in canada, mexico, bermuda, and the caribbean. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. Besides passports, limited use passport cards and are issued by the same organization subject to the same requirements. Is a us passport card good or valid id while in europe. Passport book the passport book is designed to be used for all types of international travel. If you make infrequent trips between the us and canada andor mexico by land and are not a frequent cruise passenger to the caribbean and you live in a state that provides a real id compliant drivers license yet you travel internationally by plane, it would make sense to get a passport book and not pay the extra money for a passport card. Difference between passport book and passport card. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. Why cant i use a passport card to fly internationally. If your travel plans fit the limitations of the passport card, then it is a budgetfriendly option to obtaining a passport book. If you can submit a passport book, but you lost your passport card, you cannot. You can use this credit card sized document to reenter the united states from mexico, canada, bermuda and the caribbean when traveling by land or sea. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. 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.
There are similarities as well as differences between the two options, which will be further discussed here. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults, and five years for travelers under age 16. 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 passport cards. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. If you already hold a valid passport book, you may apply for a passport card by mail with form ds82. The ds11 form contains this text applicable to us citizens who were born in the us. Whether you get the passport book card both are valid for 10 years.
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. A passport card is also available for certain travel situations. The card cannot be used for international air travel. There are several options when it comes to forms of identification for travel. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. A passport is commonly used to prove us citizenship, but it isnt the only method. A passport card allows significantly fewer opportunities for the holder to travel, but often its enough for some. The passport card has the applicants photo and data printed on them.
How to get a passport card us passport office locations. If a passport book holder uses all 52 pages, the holder must purchase a new passport book. A passport card is the same size as a drivers license, and is official proof of your identity and us citizenship. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. Jun 20, 2019 passport book is a globally recognized travel document while passport card is not a globally recognized document. The passport card is intended as a more portable, less expensive alternative to the standard passport book, primarily for u. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. Many passport application acceptance facilities, which include libraries, clerks of court, and post offices, are not accepting u. The us passport card can be useful in a number of situations. The passport card will facilitate entry and expedite document processing at u. The passport card cannot be used for international air travel. Otherwise, it carries the rights and privileges of the u. The us passport card is a credit card sized identification document.
If you need to travel internationally, you must have a passport book. You can get a us passport card, whether or not you currently hold a passport book. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. The united states passport card is an official identity and. We are a privately owned website that is not affiliated with, owned or operated by the us government. A us passport card can only be used for land and sea travel to canada, mexico or the caribbean. A passport card is valid for travel to and from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda at land border crossings and sea portsofentry.
Us passport books and us passport cards the differences. It is intended to be used in place of the standard u. Passport application status due to public health measures to prevent the spread of covid19, we suspended offering expedited service on march 19, 2020. The passport book is the traditional multipage document that border agents stamp as you travel through. On the form, you indicate that youre applying for a passport card. Everything you need to know about a us passport card. It is smaller and more convenient to carry than a passport book, and it is less expensive to obtain. Jun, 2019 how to get a us passport book first time.
Whats the difference between a passport book and a. H ave you ever wished your passport could fit inside your wallet. While there are similarities between a passport book and passport card, it is crucial that those holding either the passport book or card and individuals needing to obtain a passport for the first time know the differences. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air. The passport book is the only document approved for international air travel. 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. A passport book is required for all international travel by air. A passport card is less expensive than a traditional passport book. See the chart below to decide which is best for you.
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. There are many places in the us that can issue a us passport card. 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. 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. 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. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states.
I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to barbados. Nov 20, 2017 a passport card allows significantly fewer opportunities for the holder to travel, but often its enough for some. S department of state offers two versions of a passport. A passport book is valid for any international travel by air, sea or land. This service is not available for passport card applicants.
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