The passport card contains a vicinityread radio frequency identification rfid chip. A passport card carries many of the same benefits as a passport book, it just resembles a credit card and has certain restrictions. Department of state has a simpletoread list of facts comparing the passport card with the passport book and providing links to applications for both. Passport cards have been an option for us citizens since 2008, but they are still not as well known or well understood as the traditional passport books. 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.
If you get a passport book and card at the same time, they will expire at the same time. Your passport book would need to be surrendered if the application is made by mail. Passport book vs passport card for kids the dis disney. If you already only have the passport book, you can get the passport card as well when you apply for your next passport renewal. A passport card is a smaller version of a passport book and fits inside a wallet. All you have to do is mark the passport application to show you are requesting both the passport book and passport card.
Oct 05, 2018 if so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. A passport card is the same size as a drivers license, and is official proof of your identity and us citizenship. To find out where you need to go and what additional fees youll pay, follow the steps to get a passport quickly. A passport card is less expensive than a traditional passport book. Getting your us passport as easily and quickly as possible. You can only get a passport card with a passport book as part of a bundle which is an option you can select when renewing your childs passport online. Save yourself hassle with expedited passport services. The passport card is a walletsize travel document that can only be used to reenter the united states at land bordercrossings or portsofentry by sea from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda. In this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. The passport card contains a radio frequency identification chip as well as the traditional photograph and personal information found in a passport book. The passport card will facilitate entry and expedite document processing at u. Passport books and cards are alternatives to a stateissued id. If youre applying for a passport card for the first time, youll want to find a passport. The card may not be used to travel by air outside the united states.
Us passport book and passport card online application. If you think having both will serve your purpose, then go ahead and get them. The us passport card is a credit card sized identification document. Requirements for passport card applicants who hold a valid passport book your current us passport this must be the actual book, not a photocopy.
Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. You can apply by mail using form ds82 if you have a passport book or card that. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. Adults who already have a valid passport may use form ds82 to apply by mail or form ds11 to apply in person. If you do not receive a second mailing within 10 business days of receiving the first, please contact the national passport information center by email at. Not only do they look different, they serve slightly different purposes. You can imagine my surprise when i found myself putting an x in the checkbox on my u. While the passport card is more convenient due to its size, it is far more restricted in use than the passport book. It attests to your united states citizenship and your identity. Jun 09, 2019 basically, i would say passport card is simply designed for those people who plan to cross the land border or enter a sea port, for example, there are many americans who only travelled to canada in their whole life.
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. However, before you apply for a new passport card, consider carefully whether or not you might be better off getting a us passport book. Both the passport book and passport card serve as proof of your u. On the top of the ds82 application for passport renewal, you can select both. See the table below to determine which one is best for you. I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time. If none of these apply to you, then you must apply for a passport in person. Apr 06, 2016 getting a passport card for your child. There are several options when it comes to forms of identification for travel. If youre thinking of going on a cruise, the passport card might be nice when you need a from of identification to get on and off the ship. What do i do if my child is too young to sign his or her passport book. May 10, 2010 the passport cards usefulness as an international travel identification document is so limited, its not adequate for most of its intended use.
I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. If you need to get a passport in three weeks or less, you will need an expedited process. They can be used for land or sea travel to canada, mexico, bermuda. If you have a passport card and you are eligible to use form ds82. Passport card department of foreign affairs and trade. Department of state of the views or products contained therein. We want you to know about a few differences between the book and card so you can decide if you want to apply for one or both documents. Many people arent very familiar with passport cards and their uses. Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the u.
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. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. You can apply for a us passport card by mail if you already have a us passport book and eligible to use form ds82. If you received a letter from us requesting additional documents or information to. Aug 10, 2012 a passport card can provide a more convenient, cheaper alternative to carrying your passport book. Read on to learn how you can apply for your passport card and lighten your load for your next journey.
The primary justification i had for doing so was tha. It will otherwise carry the rights and privileges of the u. Passport cards are valid for land and sea travel to and from canada, mexico and the countries of the caribbean. Passport cards are wallet sized while the passport book is larger and thicker. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. Passport cards are a form of us passport that are the size of a credit card or drivers license. The passport card s usefulness as an international travel identification document is so limited, its not adequate for most of its intended use. Jun, 2019 how to get a us passport book first time. Passport cards are particularly useful for some people. Birth documentation and copies of passport records.
It was designed for people who travel frequently between the us and canada, mexico, bermuda or the caribbean by land or sea. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. A passport card can be used to enter the us states at land border crossing or seaportsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. The passport card is only valid for land and sea travel to canada, mexico, and. The time it takes to get a passport card can vary depending on the method that you choose to apply for it. Passport cards are a simplified passport book but operate in many of the same ways and go through similar processes. 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. Here are more details about how to apply for a passport card. Adults applying for a passport the first timeand children under age 16must use form ds11 and apply in person. May, 2019 in this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. They are particularly useful as identification for children who are too young to get a drivers license.
If your travel plans take you to a country bordering the u. However, if you get a passport card, it cannot be used for travel by air. Difference between passport book and passport card can be a new subject to you if you are not a citizen of the united states of america. While the passport card is permissible for a cruise, you may want to reconsider getting the card over the book. You can now apply for a passport book and a passport card. Find a passport application acceptance facility card.
Be sure to indicate that you are applying for the card only, not the passport book. H ave you ever wished your passport could fit inside your wallet. Frequently asked questions bureau of consular affairs us. You have the freedom to choose which one you wish to have to depend on the country you are planning to travel to. May 17, 2011 i would get the passport book or nothing the birth certificate and the passport card seem equal in value to me you cant fly home with either, and that would be the point of getting the passport book if there is an emergency and you are in a foreign country, you cannot get on an airplane without a passport book, period, so it seems like a. If you already have a valid us passport book, then it is not required to also have a passport card to travel internationally.
What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. What if i have an emergency and need to get a passport quickly. The passport book and the passport card have the same validity which is 10 years for children 15 years old or younger, the validity is only 5 years. A passport card is also available for certain travel situations. Entering the united states at land border crossings and sea portsofentry from. For,these people, it is just a wasting of money to get a passport book. If any of the following apply to you, you may want to obtain a passport card. To protect yourself against emergency situations, go with a passport book, which covers all international travel by air, sea or land.
You can use form ds82 to renew your passport book at the same time that your apply for your passport card. The card provides a smaller, more convenient, and less expensive alternative to the passport book for those who travel frequently to these destinations by land or sea. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. A passport book is required for all international travel by air. Difference between passport book and passport card. The application process is the same for either the passport book or card, even if you want both at the same time. Its easy to get a passport card for your child when you apply for their minor passport book. The passport card is designed to be a less expensive and more portable alternative to the passport book. Aside from the size, a passport book and a passport card difference is that the latter cannot be used when traveling abroad via air, the passport book is required. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their travels abroad.
The passport card is available to all irish citizens who hold a valid irish passport book. The passport book is the traditional multipage document that border agents stamp as you travel through. You can mail your renewal application directly to the state department yourself. But, the passport card can only be used for international travel by land and sea.
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. Save yourself hassle with expedited passport services if you dont have the time or patience for applying for your u. Fill out form ds11 with your identifying information. You can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. The passport book is accepted for any form of international travel and is also the document that holds your visas. Passport application form ds82, completed offline or filled out online at. I have a passport card, but also need a passport book for overseas. 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. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. You can use form ds82 to renew your passport book at the same time you apply for your first passport card. Well help you determine whether you want or need to pay extra for the passport card.
Although, keep in mind, while both can be used as forms of id when traveling, the passport card has some restrictions. Its as easy as checking a box on your passport renewal application to indicate you want a passport card along with your passport book. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card. Is a question frequently asked by our readers if you are traveling to mexico, canada, and the caribbean as a u. 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. I would get the passport book or nothing the birth certificate and the passport card seem equal in value to me you cant fly home with either, and that would be the point of getting the passport book if there is an emergency and you are in a foreign country, you cannot get on an airplane without a passport book, period, so it seems like a. Passport cards for under 18s will be valid for the same period as the passport book. How to apply for a new passport card rush my passport.
They have been available to us citizens since 2008, and are meant to be a convenient way to prove your identity and citizenship. In this post, you will get the benefits of having both documents. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport. Adult passports are valid for 10 years and may be renewed by mail. It can also be used for domestic air travel in the usa. For instance, if there is a medical or family emergency, you will not be able to fly out of the country to return home. Reasons to get a passport book or card a passport card and book are both considered us passports. Nov 07, 2016 however, your new passport card may take longer to be issued, and will be sent to you under separate cover. First of all, a passport card can be used for travel by sea to barbados. A us passport card can only be used for land and sea travel to canada, mexico or the caribbean. If you have a passport card, you can also use it to drive across the canadian border and to.
Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults, and five years for travelers under age 16. For these adults with existing passports, consider whether you travel internationally frequently. Lets take a look at the simplest and quickest ways to get your hands on a valid passport book or card. Jul 05, 2018 the passport book is the traditional multipage document that border agents stamp as you travel through. All passport cards will be mailed using first class mail only.
Department of state recommends the passport book as it is more versatile. Yes, passport cards can be renewed just like passport books. Differences between a passport book and passport card. Mar 18, 2020 the passport book has plenty of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps, while the passport card is a onepiece credit card sized id card. You have to go in person to present your application. Feb 12, 2019 passport book the passport book is designed to be used for all types of international travel. If you have a valid passport book, you do not have to get a passport card as well. You will need to fill in an official form and present identification and proof of citizenship. In fact, on the ds11 application to renew or get a passport, at the top you can select whether you are applying for a passport book with pages for foreign visa entryexit stamps, visas, etc. The passport book has plenty of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture. If they are issued for full validity, they both can be used as proof of your us citizenship and identification. Apr 23, 2018 luckily, there are a few options available to you.
A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air. This card provides a smaller, less expensive alternative for people who frequently travel between the united states and these countries. Carry both the card and the passport book in case of an emergency and you need to fly home. Passport book and passport card are two terms that are often used these days by many citizens of the united states who are applying for a passport for the first time.