Whats the difference between a passport book and a. 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. Check out the differences between the two types of passport using the graphic below, and. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport. 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. Both the passport book and passport card serve as proof of your u. Having a backup would be a good reason to get both, thanks for that. Save yourself hassle with expedited passport services if you dont have the time or patience for applying for your u. 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.
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. 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. Card debate has many of us confused as to which one we should apply for. You may have heard about the passport card that the united states department of state now issues. If you already have a passport book, you do not need a passport card to travel internationally. Valid for all forms of travel by land, sea, and air. From passport cards to global entry, which trustedtraveler. Also you can not use the passport card to fly into the us. This option means getting both a passport book and passport card with just one application.
Passport card vacation season is right around the corner, and as such, you will most likely be renewing or obtaining your us passport. Valid for 10 years for an adult and 5 years for 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. 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. The us passport card is less expensive to get then passport book, and is much smaller. However, since passport cards arent valid for flying, again i dont see how theyre helpful in that region. Both forms are available for download on the state departments passport website. Yes, it is much easier to get a new passport book with a pasport card over copies. What is the difference between a passport book and passport card. Both documents have a validity of 10 years for adults 16 or older and 5 years for. Note, passport cards can only be used for travel by land and sea. 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.
The passport card is about the size of any credit card, and fits easily into your wallet for frequent travel. I want to get my 3 kids passports for our cruise in october. Passport book vs passport card for kids the dis disney. I currently have a passport card that was issued in june 2009. If you are thinking about applying for or renewing a u. The only reason youd most likely need a passport is if you got missed he ship for whatever reason. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane.
May 17, 2011 i want to get my 3 kids passports for our cruise in october. Also, if you get a passport card separately from your passport, it has a different number and expiration date also costs a bit more. What is the difference between a passport book and. When the book comes, resume my normal travel pattern. All you have to do is mark the passport application to show you are requesting both the passport book and passport card. It was designed for people who travel frequently between the u. Should i get a passport card to go along with my passport book. Should i get a passport card to go along with my passport. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. 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. The primary justification i had for doing so was tha. 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. 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.
The difference between passport and passport card us. 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. Both documents are valid for 10 years for adults 16 and older, and 5 years for those under the age of 16. The us passport card is a credit cardsized identification document. Otherwise, it carries the rights and privileges of the u. One is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. Passport card department of foreign affairs and trade. Us passport card faq passport and visa expeditor get. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card. The us passport card is a credit card sized identification document. 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. If you opt for both the card and the book, you can get them both at a.
While a passport book is valid for all types of travel land, sea or air to any destination. Use the passport book to get the passport card, keeping the book in my possession. Aug 18, 2016 one is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. The passport card is designed to be a less expensive and more portable alternative to the passport book. It is my understanding that it is better to have them in case of emergency. Passport cards passport info guide how to get a passport. Apr 06, 2016 getting a passport card for your child. Im going to mexico this summer and do not have a passport as this is my first time going out of the country. 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.
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. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. The passport book and passport card are both proof of your. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. 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. Can i renew my passport book to get a passport card and a. Youll use the same form that you would use to apply for a passport bookeither a ds11 or ds82. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. Ds11 only has options under have you ever had either a passport card book for no, loststolen, or submitted with application. The passport card is also considered a passport but is much more limite.
If i have both a passport card and a passport book, do i. 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. However, if you get a passport card, it cannot be used for travel by air. You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a passport book. I will be needing to get a passport book within the next couple of years so i can travel to barbados. Applications for a passport or passport card may be submitted at any of 9,300 passport application acceptance facilities, which typically include u. 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. There is a place on the application to check whether you want to apply for a passport card, passport book or both. Since we all know how to acquire passport booklets, lets learn how to get hold of a passport card. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to barbados. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. 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. Us passport card faq get your passport in 24 hours.
Carry both the card and the passport book in case of an emergency and you need to fly home. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. Differences between a passport book and passport card. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. The passport card will match the expiry date of your passport book, if you have less than 5 years validity remaining. The passport card can be used only to reenter the 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. 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. This free smartphone app, now in use at one cruise port and 20 u.
All the information an embassy needs is coded on the card, they just swipe it and a replacement is issued. However, if youd like to get a passport card still, you can apply by completing the ds82 passport renewal form. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. Ds11 only has options under have you ever had either a passport cardbook for no, loststolen, or submitted with application. 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. Of course, in theory its only officially valid for international land or sea travel between the united states, canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. The passport card facilitates entry and expedites document processing at u. The us passport book vs passport card debate has many of us confused as. The us passport book vs passport card salon prive mag.
Since the passport card is apparently worthless, it is better to leave that than your actual passport. There is no reason to ever get a passport card, unless you only travel to canada, mexico or caribbean. If you plan to travel by air, then you will need a passport book. Having a passport card also gives you a quasiofficial backup passport. Applying for passport card wo giving up passport book. Visa, mastercard, diners club international and american express cards are accepted. Because of public health measures to prevent the spread of covid19, we have extremely limited u. A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land sea. 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. Understanding the difference between a passport book and a passport card can potentially save you a lot of hassle when you travel. 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.
It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. Minors under age 16 will need to submit copies of both parents passports or drivers licenses. If a duplicate passport is more than youd like to bite off right now, a passport card might be the way to go. I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time. The application allows you to get a passport booklet or a passport card, or both. Do i need a passport book or card or both yahoo answers. 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. You dont need to present a passport or the card when entering and exiting the ship. 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. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. Photocopy of your drivers license or other stateissued id front and back. There is no reason to ever get a passport card, unless you only travel to. The passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us.
It is intended to be used in place of the standard u. Its easy to get a passport card for your child when you apply for their minor passport book. Oct 16, 2017 the passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. 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. The passport card is a wallet side document that will be used to expedite document processing from the u. A passport card is cheaper than a passport book, but cant be used for air travel and is only. How to obtain a duplicate passport and passport card its.
1080 1443 547 1640 1464 632 295 319 462 1235 425 518 1095 136 111 36 534 660 1342 1254 1582 1041 219 310 1446 1387 564 1274 1560 946 1472 932 529 75 1397 334 912 1381 1431 826 480 939 1145 712 761 114 36 1369