A passport card is cheaper than a passport book, but cant be used for air travel and is only. You may have heard about the passport card that the united states department of state now issues. Use the passport book to get the passport card, keeping the book in my possession. Card debate has many of us confused as to which one we should apply for. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is. When the book comes, resume my normal travel pattern.
While both types of documents have the same period of validity five years for children under 16, ten years for adults and serve as a valid form of identification abroad, they are unique documents that may each be used better depending on the situation. A us passport card is used as a federal id and is only good for travel to canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at land border crossings or sea portsofentry and is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. If you lose your passport book, you can still travel to mexico and canada if necessary using your passport card i have both of them, because when i went to get my passport book renewed, the passport officer said, quoting him, sir, if you are planning on visiting canada or mexico, you might wish to have both, because only the more convenienttocarry card will be needed for those places. The passport card contains a radio frequency identification chip as well as the traditional photograph and personal information found in a passport book. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to.
Applying for passport card wo giving up passport book. I currently have a passport card that was issued in june 2009. Valid for 10 years for an adult and 5 years for a minor. What is the difference between a passport book and. Can i renew my passport book to get a passport card and a. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. May, 2009 im going to mexico this summer and do not have a passport as this is my first time going out of the country. Oct 16, 2017 the passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. Understanding the difference between a passport book and a passport card can potentially save you a lot of hassle when you travel.
Us passport card faq get your passport in 24 hours. The us passport card is a credit cardsized identification document. Save yourself hassle with expedited passport services if you dont have the time or patience for applying for your u. Aug 18, 2016 one is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. 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. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal 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 convenient and less expensive than a passport book. The us passport book vs passport card salon prive mag. It is intended to be used in place of the standard u.
With paper copies, they need to spend some time verifying the information, all the while replacement passport books based on pasposrt card are being processed. The passport card is designed to be a less expensive and more portable alternative to the passport book. Both the passport book and passport card serve as proof of your u. However, if you get a passport card, it cannot be used for travel by air. The passport card is also considered a passport but is much more limite. Having a passport card also gives you a quasiofficial backup passport. The us passport card is a credit card sized identification document. You can apply by mail using form ds82 if you have a passport book or card that.
Im going to mexico this summer and do not have a passport as this is my first time going out of the country. This is the busy time of year for us passport applicants wanting to prepare for summer traveling whether close to home destinations such as mexico or canada, or far away destinations such as. If i have both a passport card and a passport book, do i. The us passport book vs passport card debate has many of us confused as. The passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. Do i need a passport book or card or both yahoo answers. Both documents are valid for 10 years for adults 16 and older, and 5 years for those under the age of 16. Because of public health measures to prevent the spread of covid19, we have extremely limited u. Passport book vs passport card i f youve wondered what the difference is between a passport book and a passport card, youve come to the right place. There is no reason to ever get a passport card, unless you only travel to.
Passport cards passport info guide how to get a passport. If you are thinking about applying for or renewing a u. Carry both the card and the passport book in case of an emergency and you need to fly home. Of course, in theory its only officially valid for international land or sea travel between the united states, canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda.
Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card. Having a backup would be a good reason to get both, thanks for that. All the information an embassy needs is coded on the card, they just swipe it and a replacement is issued. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. I want to get my 3 kids passports for our cruise in october. Nov 28, 2017 understanding the difference between a passport book and a passport card can potentially save you a lot of hassle when you travel. Passport book vs passport card for kids the dis disney. If a duplicate passport is more than youd like to bite off right now, a passport card might be the way to go.
However, if youd like to get a passport card still, you can apply by completing the ds82 passport renewal form. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. How to obtain a duplicate passport and passport card its. Should i get a passport card to go along with my passport book. Find a period of time when im not going to be traveling internationally and apply for the renewal book, using the card as id for domestic trips in the interim. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. Check out the differences between the two types of passport using the graphic below, and.
There is a place on the application to check whether you want to apply for a passport card, passport book or both. From passport cards to global entry, which trustedtraveler. I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time. The only thing that confuses me was the mention of submit your most recently issued passport book andor passport card on form ds82 passport renewal by mail and similar wordings such as i can submit my most recent u. Also you can not use the passport card to fly into the us. Also, if you get a passport card separately from your passport, it has a different number and expiration date also costs a bit more. The passport book and passport card are both proof of your. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. Keep your passport card and your passport book in separate places when you travel, and if you lose one, hopefully you will still have the other one. Since we all know how to acquire passport booklets, lets learn how to get hold of a passport card. A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land sea. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card.
One is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. All you have to do is mark the passport application to show you are requesting both the passport book and passport card. Since the passport card is apparently worthless, it is better to leave that than your actual passport. Photocopy of your drivers license or other stateissued id front and back. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book.
If you already have a passport book, you do not need a passport card to travel internationally. Otherwise, it carries the rights and privileges of the u. The passport card is valid for up to 10 years if you are an adult, and allows you virtually unlimited travel to the caribbean, bermuda, mexico, and. Passport card department of foreign affairs and trade. Valid for all forms of travel by land, sea, and air. Ds11 only has options under have you ever had either a passport cardbook for no, loststolen, or submitted with application. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. The application allows you to get a passport booklet or a passport card, or both. The passport card facilitates entry and expedites document processing at u.
Applications for a passport or passport card may be submitted at any of 9,300 passport application acceptance facilities, which typically include u. Both forms are available for download on the state departments passport website. Its easy to get a passport card for your child when you apply for their minor passport book. While both types of documents have the same period of validity five years for children under 16, ten years for adults and serve as a valid form of identification abroad, they are unique documents that may each be used better depending on the. The other is the passport card, which is just like a drivers license. Yes, it is much easier to get a new passport book with a pasport card over copies. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. Jul 02, 2010 if a duplicate passport is more than youd like to bite off right now, a passport card might be the way to go. The best way to cover all bases is to get both a passport card and standard. This free smartphone app, now in use at one cruise port and 20 u. This option means getting both a passport book and passport card with just one application. Ds11 only has options under have you ever had either a passport card book for no, loststolen, or submitted with application. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. It was designed for people who travel frequently between the u.
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. There is no reason to ever get a passport card, unless you only travel to canada, mexico or caribbean. Find a period of time when i m not going to be traveling internationally and apply for the renewal book, using the card as id for domestic trips in the interim. Visa, mastercard, diners club international and american express cards are accepted.
How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. It is my understanding that it is better to have them in case of emergency. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. Apr 06, 2016 getting a passport card for your child. You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a passport book. Note, passport cards can only be used for travel by land and sea. 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 will need to specify on the application whether you are applying only for the passport card or for both a passport book and a passport card. 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. The passport card is a wallet side document that will be used to expedite document processing from the u. What is the difference between a passport book and passport card.
The us passport card is less expensive to get then passport book, and is much smaller. 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. So get a passport card because it will make your travels slightly easier. I will be needing to get a passport book within the next couple of years so i can travel to barbados. However, since passport cards arent valid for flying, again i dont see how theyre helpful in that region.
Us passport card faq passport and visa expeditor get. Oct 06, 2012 the only thing that confuses me was the mention of submit your most recently issued passport book and or passport card on form ds82 passport renewal by mail and similar wordings such as i can submit my most recent u. While a passport book is valid for all types of travel land, sea or air to any destination. Youll use the same form that you would use to apply for a passport bookeither a ds11 or ds82.
The primary justification i had for doing so was tha. The card cant be used for international air travel. 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. The passport card will match the expiry date of your passport book, if you have less than 5 years validity remaining. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport. Currently, all citizens of the united states need a one or the other for international travel, even to neighboring countries such as mexico and canada. The passport card is about the size of any credit card, and fits easily into your wallet for frequent travel. If you plan to travel by air, then you will need a passport book. Minors under age 16 will need to submit copies of both parents passports or drivers licenses. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is not.
I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to barbados. If you opt for both the card and the book, you can get them both at a. The difference between passport and passport card us. You did not indicate where your cruise is going to so i would check the locations in which the passport card is good for as from what i read they are only good for 34 places. Should i get a passport card to go along with my passport. Both documents have a validity of 10 years for adults 16 or older and 5 years for. May 17, 2011 i want to get my 3 kids passports for our cruise in october. Differences between a passport book and passport card. You dont need to present a passport or the card when entering and exiting the ship.
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