However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. Should i get a passport book, card, or both for a cruise. As stated, the passport book and the passport card are not the same. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a. Adults applying for a passport the first timeand children under age 16must use form ds11 and apply in person. But, the passport card can only be used for international travel by land and sea. The irish passport card is a travel document that irish citizens can use for certain travel instead of the standard passport book. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail.
First of all, a passport card can be used for travel by sea to barbados. 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. 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. Nov 07, 2016 however, your new passport card may take longer to be issued, and will be sent to you under separate cover. The card cannot be used for international air travel. You cannot use the passport card for international air travel, nor can you use it for travel to other international destinations. Passport book vs passport card for kids the dis disney. 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. 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. Did you know the term passport can actually refer to two different documents a passport book and a passport card. Once you know the differences between these documents, you can decide between requesting a passport card vs passport book.
You should know that the passport card is only valid for travel by land and sea within mexico, canada, bermuda, and the caribbean, and you can not use it for air travel or for travel to other. The postal clerk told me i should get a passport card. I have used my passport card to check into hotels, and should i ever lose my driver license i could use it to board a domestic flight while i wait for a new driver. On all vitalchek blogs, birth certificates, passport information, vital records. I didnt have my passport with me but i did have my c. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. Differences between a passport book and passport card. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. That seems simple enough and the passport card is somewhat cheaper and definitely smaller than the passport book form we have all come to recognize so if im going on a cruise to the carribean, wouldnt it be a no brainer to get the card. 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.
If, however, you know youre not going to do a lot of travel and you only need it for a trip into canada. A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air. Guest writer christine gilbert says no, and shares 5 reasons not to get the new us passport card. The passport book is valid for all types of travel. While customers rarely have two passport books, they commonly have both a passport book and a passport card. 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. 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.
Otherwise, if youre certain that youll only be traveling by land or sea, then the card should suit your needs. Last summer i was in michigan and the opportunity arose to go to canada for the day. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. 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.
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. Due to this, each one possesses its own particular upsides and downsides, meaning that each one might be bettersuited to some people out there than the other. You can use your passport card for travel by land or sea to and from canada, mexico, bermuda and the caribbean. Should i get a passport card to go along with my passport. You can use the passport card when traveling in the european union, the european economic area which includes iceland, liechtenstein and norway and switzerland. Its easy to get a passport card for your child when you apply for their minor 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.
You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is not. A passport card can be used to enter the us states at land border crossing or seaportsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. Besides passports, limited use passport cards and are issued by the same organization subject to the same requirements. I am in a debate with myself whether to get a passport book or a passport card. The application process is the same for either the passport book or card, even if you want both at the same time.
If you have the passport card, you may want to get the book as well in case you need to make unexpected flights. A passport card also could be useful for alaska cruises, as long as all border crossings into canada are done by land or sea. H ave you ever wished your passport could fit inside your wallet. Yes, it is much easier to get a new passport book with a pasport card over copies. A us passport card can only be used for land and sea travel to canada, mexico or the caribbean. Otherwise, it carries the rights and privileges of the u. We only issue second passport books not second passport cards.
A passport card is cheaper to get but is only valid for travel to canada, mexico and the caribbean islands. You should know that the passport card is only valid for travel by land and sea within mexico, canada, bermuda, and the caribbean, and you can. All you have to do is mark the passport application to show you are requesting both the passport book and passport card. The passport card cannot be used for international air travel. If you plan to travel by air or wish to visit a country other than canada, mexico, bermuda or one of the other caribbean island nations, you should apply. The best way to cover all bases is to get both a passport card and standard passport, which you can easily do the next time you renew your passport. The card is much cheaper, the full fees are below, but both documents are good for 10 years once youre over 16 years old and if you can spare the expense, its often better to get the book. A passport card does not count as a second passport. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. Passport cards for under 18s will be valid for the same period as the passport book. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison.
The department of state charges extra for a passport card, and you still must have a passport book if you are going to fly to an international destination, so you might think that you dont need the passport card. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to barbados. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. What is a passport card, and what should you know when youre considering a passport book vs. You have to go in person to present your application. However, the card is more economical because you can obtain it by paying a lower. Apr 06, 2016 its easy to get a passport card for your child when you apply for their minor passport book. Should you choose a passport book or a passport card. All the information an embassy needs is coded on the card, they just swipe it and a replacement is issued. How to apply for a new passport card rush my passport.
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. The us passport card is a credit card sized identification document. Nov 04, 2014 did you know the term passport can actually refer to two different documents a passport book and a passport card. The passport card is a wallet side document that will be used to expedite document processing from the u. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one.
The passport book is the regular passport that youve seen before. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. There is no reason to ever get a passport card, unless you only travel to canada, mexico or caribbean. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. You can imagine my surprise when i found myself putting an x in the checkbox on my u. If you already only have the passport book, you can get the passport card as well when you apply for your next passport renewal. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. 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. Getting a passport isnt that difficult, but it can be a bit of a hassle as there are several steps to take. Department of state passport services process and issue a passport card at the same time it takes to process if you were to obtain a passport book. A passport card is cheaper than a passport book, but cant be used for air travel and.
A passport book is the official bookstyle document that allows a us. There are several options when it comes to forms of identification for travel. Passport cards are particularly useful for some people. Oct 16, 2017 if you have the passport card, you may want to get the book as well in case you need to make unexpected flights. The passport card is only for land and sea travel, which means there is no way travelers can use the passport card to board a plane. 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 book has plenty of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps, while the passport card is a onepiece credit card sized id card. A passport book is a passport that will be accepted anywhere in the whole world and on any form of transportation that youll use. To start, you will need to know whether you want a passport book, passport card, or both. The passport card facilitates entry and expedites document processing at u. 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. This card provides a smaller, less expensive alternative for people who frequently travel between the united states and these countries.
How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. If you are applying for a passport, youll need to consider whether to get a passport book or a passport card. I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time. Enhanced drivers license many people may not know but depending on the. The passport book has plenty of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps, while the passport card is a onepiece creditcardsized id card. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card. Us passport book and passport card online application. Aug 10, 2012 a passport book is bigger than a passport card. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their. A passport card is the same size as a drivers license, and is official proof of your identity and us citizenship.
It can also be used for domestic air travel in the usa. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card. Whether you get the passport bookcard 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. However, your new passport card may take longer to be issued, and will be sent to you under separate cover. On the top of the ds82 application for passport renewal, you can select both. Below, weve summarized the differences between a passport card and the standard passport book. In addition to a regular passport, the passport book, u. Passport cards are wallet sized while the passport book is larger and thicker.
Should americans have both a passport book and a passport. The passport book is valid for all international travel. Yes, passport cards can be renewed just like passport books. May, 2019 in this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. A passport book is the official book style document that allows a us citizen to travel internationally by land, sea or air. Youll need to submit the same documentation for getting a passport card as you do for a passport book, so getting them both at the same time.
Whats the difference between a passport book and a. When i last renewed my passport i decided to pay the extra few bucks for a passport card and im glad i did. If you get a passport book and card at the same time, they will expire at the same time. Passport card department of foreign affairs and trade. When you apply for a passport card, youll spend less money than you would when. 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. It lasts the same length of time as the book but you are limiting your travel.
The book offers more flexibility for you if you plan on doing extensive international traveling. A passport book is required for all international travel by air. You can get a us passport card, whether or not you currently hold a passport book. If you have a valid passport book, you do not have to get a passport card as well. If youre a citizen of the united states, and youre thinking about traveling to mexico, but you dont yet have a passport, you might consider getting a passport card instead of a regular passport book. However, keep in mind that the book is more expensive than the card. Should i get a passport card and a standard passport. I will be needing to get a passport book within the next couple of years so i can travel to barbados. 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.
For,these people, it is just a wasting of money to get a passport book. The primary justification i had for doing so was tha. The passport cards usefulness as an international travel identification document is so limited, its not adequate for most of its intended use. 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. It was designed for people who travel frequently between the u. Keep in mind that if you do have the card, you will need to complete a new application for the book. Normally, when a person obtains a passport, this is what he or she will receive. In this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. I currently have a passport card that was issued in june 2009. Jun, 2019 how to get a us passport book first time.
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