This new travel document can be used to enter the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at land border crossings or sea portsofentry. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. Youll use the same form that you would use to apply for a passport bookeither a ds11 or ds82. But you can also get a passport card if you are a frequent traveler by land or sea to canada, mexico, or the caribbean. The difference between passport and passport card us. Of the internal pages, 17 are blank pages marked visas that are meant for travel visas and country entry and exit stamps. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. The walletsized passport card is designed to be more convenient and less cumbersome than regular passports. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and. 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.
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 vs passport card difference and comparison diffen. Expedited passport processing ranges from two weeks to as fast as 24 hours. While the passport card is more convenient due to its size, it is far more restricted in use than the passport book. 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. 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 federal government offers passport books for all types of travel.
The passport card is not good for any international air travel, and can only be used for ground or sea entry from canada, mexico, and select caribbean countries. See the chart below to decide which is best for you. Carry both the card and the passport book in case of an emergency and you need to fly home. One instance could be, if you want to travel to jamaica, youll need a passport book.
A passport book is good for all international and air travel. You dont need to present a passport or the card when entering and exiting the ship. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. When it comes to us passport card versus passport book, the winner will depend on your need. The fee to obtain a passport card and passport book also changes. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to. What is the difference between a passport book and passport card. The passport book has lots of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps.
You must have the original copies of all required documents. A passport book functions in all ways a passport card is used and there is no need to obtain a passport card if you already have a 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. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. If you already hold a passport book, your card will be issued with a different number. 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. If you are applying for a passport, youll need to consider whether to get a. What is your visafree score and which countries you can visit without a visa. The us passport card is a credit cardsized identification document. If issued for the full validity, they are both proof of your u. Passport book vs passport card for kids the dis disney. The passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. Differences between a passport book and passport card.
Someone needing to take a flight to paris, or hop a freighter to new zealand may consider applying for both a passport book and card at the same time and only take the one they need. The passport book is a thin cardboard cover with your picture and information inside it. Both firsttime applicants and renewing applicants pay more for passports than they do for passport cards. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is. Enhanced drivers license many people may not know but depending on the state that you live in a third option is available to you. Compare passports sidebyside to see your passports strengths and weaknesses. Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. However, the passport book is valid for all forms of travel. Weigh the cost of a passport versus a passport card. The most obvious difference between passport books and passport cards is the design, of course.
The primary justification i had for doing so was tha. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is not requried that you obtain both. If you want to apply for a passport card and currently have a valid traditional passport, you can simply download and file form ds82. Check out the differences between the two types of passport using the. Difference between passport book and passport card compare.
I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. If you dont want to spend the money for the full passport i would save what. Many travelers will still want to apply for a full passport, however, since the. Difference between passport book and passport card. Us passports vs enhanced drivers licenses rush my passport. Do you need a passport book, a passport card, or an enhanced drivers license. A passport card is cheaper than a passport book, but cant be used for air. Travel articles do you need a passport or a passport card. 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. Nov 20, 2017 someone needing to take a flight to paris, or hop a freighter to new zealand may consider applying for both a passport book and card at the same time and only take the one they need. In addition to a regular passport, the passport book, u. What is the difference between a passport book and. It has several pages for visas and travel documents.
We compare the two to help you decide which type of id is best for you. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. The card is billed as a cheaper, smaller and more convenient alternative to carrying a passport when traveling to these destinations by land or sea. 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. Us passport card versus passport book if you are like my family and friends, you are curious as to the differences between the new us passport cards and the more traditional us passport books. Jun 02, 2018 if you got any questions about whether you need a passport book or card, please contact travel visa pro we are always ready to help you. 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.
I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. The walletsize passport card is convenient and less expensive than the passport book. An adult passport card looks similar to a drivers license, and is valid for ten years. 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. Jan 06, 20 a passport book is good for all international and air travel. Rush my passport the trusted partner in expedited u. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport. 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. 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, but doesnt really matter as it is irrelevant to my question. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. People who scrimp on just the card rather than the book while going on a cruise, face problems if they get seriously ill. Oct 16, 2017 the passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card.
To get a passport more quickly, you need to make an appointment at a regional agency. Oct 07, 2017 whether you get the passport book card both are valid for 10 years. Jan 08, 2020 both passport books and cards are valid for 10 years. Any us citizen wishing to travel internationally via air must have a passport book. The passport book allows for all travel, by air, land, and sea and youll need the passport book in order to receive a travel visa. 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. Passport card vs passport book americas central america. Whats the difference between passport book and passport card. It was designed for people who travel frequently between the u. Since you are going to japan, you need to apply for a passport book, thus not necessary to get a card too. Not only do they look different, they serve slightly different purposes. 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. The only reason youd most likely need a passport is if you got missed he ship for whatever reason.
If your cruise departs from florida but stops in jamaica before returning to florida, youll need your passport card. If you do not have a valid passport, you will need to apply for your new passport card with the government in person and you will need to file form ds11. Passport card cannot be used for international air travel. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. You can just slip it in your wallet, right behind your drivers license. Both the passport book and passport card serve as proof of your u. State department offers an alternative to using a passport to travel between the u. Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages.
However, since passport cards arent valid for flying, again i dont see how theyre helpful in that region. In a short period of time, passport services received over 350,000 applications for the passport card. The passport card contains a radio frequency identification chip as well as the traditional photograph and personal information found in a passport book. Applying regular or expediting the passport card is very simple if you follow the instructions below. Passport books are the ultimate travel document for visiting any foreign countries, american citizens can use this to travel everywhere outside of the us.
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 us passport card is a small passport card, about the size of a credit card, that contains your photo. Both passport books and cards are valid for 10 years. Ds11 only has options under have you ever had either a passport cardbook for no, loststolen, or submitted with application. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport.
Enhanced drivers license many people may not know but depending on the. State department issues two versions of a passport. I am taking a cruise to mexico and i intend to travel with my passport card because. If you got any questions about whether you need a passport book or card, please contact travel visa pro we are always ready to help you. A passport book is valid for all types of travel land, sea or air to any destination. The passport card is smaller when compared to the size of passport book. Aug 18, 2016 the passport book allows for all travel, by air, land, and sea and youll need the passport book in order to receive a travel visa. Us passport book and passport card online application. Passport card difference between passport book and passport card u. A passport book may not be a massive document by any means, but having something as small as the card to fit in your wallet is definitely less of a hassle. However, people find a passport card more convenient and accessible when carrying. 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. Department of state passport services recently began issuing the passport card as an alternative to the traditional passport book. No passport or passport card is required to travel to overseas u.
Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card. First you will need to gather the required documents for a passport card. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. You can now apply for a passport book and a passport card. Whether you get the passport bookcard both are valid for 10 years. Although not required on closed loop sailings, which call at foreign ports but sail roundtrip from the u. Apply for a passport card united states department of state. You cannot use a passport card when traveling by air internationally.
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