This is perhaps unsurprising, seeing as how a passport card lacks the blank pages of the passport book because it is nothing more than the size of a standard id card. Passport cards can only be purchased as an addon feature when applying for a passport book. 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. 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. Report the loss of your passport card by calling 8774872778 or you can fill out the lost passport report form ds64 and mail this to the address on the form. Do i need a passport book, passport card, or passport book. I will be needing to get a passport book within the next couple of years so i can travel to barbados. 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. Entering the united states at land border crossings and sea portsofentry from. When you apply for a passport card, youll spend less money than you would when. A passport book application will take approximately 10 working days to process and a passport card, six to eight weeks. Your personal details must be an exact match of the details that appear in your passport book. In contrast, a passport card is similar in purpose to a passport book but much more limited in scope. Aug 10, 2012 a passport book is bigger than a passport card.
In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land sea. A passport card is the same size as a drivers license, and is official proof of your identity and us citizenship. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. Does a passport card work to go to canada by train. I know there used to be info on this somewhere, but i cant find it. The passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. Travel articles do you need a passport or a passport card. Apply for a passport card residents of england and wales. The passport card does serve a purpose as a secondary form of photo identification and proof of u.
Government fees payment new passport card or card renewal. Passport books and cards are alternatives to a stateissued id. However, if you get a passport card, it cannot be used for travel by air. A previous passport book holder, eligible to use form ds82, may apply for a passport card as a renewal. I applied to renew my passport this past summer, and i had the option of applying for a just a passport book, or b both a passport book and also a passport card, which can be used in certain intercountry travel situations cant remember what situations either. Ds11 only has options under have you ever had either a passport cardbook for no, loststolen, or submitted with application. The state departments website offers complete details and an online application form. 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. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. Passport cards are particularly useful for some people. The irish passport card is a travel document that irish citizens can use for certain travel instead of the standard passport book.
The us passport card is a credit cardsized identification document. Differences between a passport book and passport card. The us passport card is a credit card sized identification document. 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 is a cheaper alternative to the passport book. If any of the following apply to you, you may want to obtain a passport card.
I use my passport for primary id have lost my backup, for which i dont qualify for anymore anyway. The card comes in very handy because it is much easier to handle. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. Start today by applying for or renewing your passport. Find uses and advantages of a passport book and a passport card and figure out which one is best for you, or if you should have both documents. The us passport card is a small passport card, about the size of a credit card, that contains your photo and identifying information. Is a question frequently asked by our readers if you are traveling to mexico, canada, and the caribbean as a u. Passport card department of foreign affairs and trade. The fee to obtain a passport card and passport book also changes. You can carry your passport card with you at all times and leave the passport book safe in the hotel room locker. The passport card is designed to be a less expensive and more portable alternative to the passport book. Read on to learn how you can apply for your passport card and lighten your load for your next journey.
The passport card is a fully valid passport that attests to the u. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. Oct 16, 2017 the passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. The traditional passport book is still required for most travel purposes. Passport card difference between passport book and passport card u. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. Passport cards are delivered separately from passport books. 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. An adult passport card looks similar to a drivers license, and is valid for ten years. Complete online and submit form ds82 available using the online passport wizard.
The walletsized passport card is designed to be more convenient and less cumbersome than regular passports. Its issued by the federal government, which is the only entity that can determine citizenship. It was designed for people who travel frequently between the us and canada, mexico, bermuda or the caribbean by land or sea. The passport card is smaller when compared to the size of passport book. A passport card can provide a more convenient, cheaper alternative to carrying your passport book. Passport card can be used to enter united states from canada, mexico, the. 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. As such, the passport card is adjudicated to the exact standards as the passport book. It is more convenient and cheaper than a passport book. Difference between passport book and passport card compare. 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. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. You must have the original copies of all required documents.
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. You can just slip it in your wallet, right behind your drivers license. The passport card contains a radio frequency identification chip as well as the traditional photograph and personal information found in a passport book. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. If you are traveling by air or to most countries, you will need a. Difference between passport book and passport card. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to barbados.
Yes, 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. 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 card cannot be used for international travel by air. You can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. In such situations, a passport card comes in handy because it is the size of a credit card and fits nicely in a wallet. Passport book vs passport card for kids the dis disney. More specifically, it can be used when entering the u. The difference between passport and passport card us. You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a passport book. If you would like to receive your passport before the passport card, please provide two courier envelopes at the time you submit your application. You cannot use a passport card when traveling by air internationally.
If youre applying for a passport card for the first time, youll want to find a passport. Also, if youve lost your passport book, go and see our stolen passport or lost passport pages for details on getting the replacement of your passport. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. 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. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults, and five years for travelers under age 16. 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. Passport, and those not eligible to use the form ds82, should apply for a passport card using form ds11. The passport card is also a valid form of id so it is useful to have it on you at all times when traveling abroad. Passport card vs passport book americas central america.
Passport cards allow entry from canada, mexico, caribbean. 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 most obvious difference between passport books and passport cards is the design, of course. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. The passport book is accepted for any form of international travel and is also the document that holds your visas. The card has the same period of validity as a passport book. For more information view our passport first time issuances and renewal instructions. Passport book the passport book is designed to be used for all types of international travel. I have a passport card, but also need a passport book for overseas. 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. Applicants must provide documents which attest to their u. While an enhanced drivers license does prove citizenship, the passport card is better because its more authoritative.
At the size of a drivers license, it is very portable. Travelbuzz applying for passport card wo giving up passport book. Aug 10, 2012 a passport card can provide a more convenient, cheaper alternative to carrying your passport book. Applying for passport card wo giving up passport book. The difference between a passport book or card getaway usa. Ds11 only has options under have you ever had either a passport card book for no, loststolen, or submitted with application. Can i apply for a passport card and passport book using the same. A passport card is a portable pocket sized card similar to a credit card that fits in your wallet. 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. Introduced in 2008, the passport card is a relatively inexpensive personal identification card that can be used in place of a passport book or drivers license at land and sea entry points to. 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. It can be used for travel to 31 countries in the european union eu and european economic area eea plus switzerland. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. The passport card is available to all irish citizens who hold a valid irish passport book.
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. 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. Applications for a passport or passport card may be submitted at any of 9,300 passport application acceptance facilities, which typically include u. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. 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. 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. It contains several pages like the passport details page which provides the holders name,date of birth, passport expiry date etc as well as other blank pages for visa and immigration stamping. 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. If you are traveling by air or to most countries, you will need a traditional passport book, with pages for your various visas. I currently have a passport card that was issued in june 2009. If you have a passport card and you are eligible to use form ds82. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card.
Find a passport application acceptance facility card. In this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. The form for renewing a passport or passport card is ds82. 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. Aug 09, 2016 introduced in 2008, the passport card is a relatively inexpensive personal identification card that can be used in place of a passport book or drivers license at land and sea entry points to. However, the passport book is valid for all forms of travel.
The passport card has benefits, but does not offer the same list of privileges as a traditional passport. H ave you ever wished your passport could fit inside your wallet. For those of you who are about to get a us passport renewed or getting one for the first time, there is something called a passport card its biometric and usually only good between rail, boat and car in canadamexicobermuda etc but it is proof that you do own a us passport. Both forms are available for download on the state departments passport website. Your personal details must be an exact match of the. You can get a us passport card, whether or not you currently hold a passport book. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison.
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