The adult and minor passport card fees are about the same. Passport books can be accepted in any country unless theyve barred us citizens from entry, like north korea, and are valid for visa applications, while a passport card can only be used to enter countries by land or sea which countries can be accessed with us passport cards. Requirements for passport card applicants who hold a valid passport book. The us passport book vs passport card salon prive mag. Passport book is widely used for international travel while passport card is used for united states citizens who live in border territories in the us. The passport card is basically an individual credit cardsized id card. If im remembering correctly, you can use your passport card when travelling by land or sea. We are an independent entity providing assistance to obtain passports. Therefore, a statement is required when applying for a new u. Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. To be considered as an adult you must be 16 or older, and to be considered a minor, you must be 15 or less. Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages. Otherwise, it carries the rights and privileges of the u.
I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. 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. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. You cannot use a passport card when traveling by air internationally. 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 application status due to public health measures to prevent the spread of covid19, we suspended offering expedited service on march 19, 2020. It can also be used for domestic air travel in the usa. 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. Complete online and submit form ds82 available using the online passport wizard. The passport card facilitates entry and expedites document processing at u. You only need a passport book if you travel by air.
However, depending on where youre travelling, you might be ok with just the card. You should expect significant delays if you applied for or renewed your passport and requested routine service. The passport card contains a radio frequency identification chip as well as the traditional photograph and personal information found in a passport book. It is smaller and more convenient to carry than a passport book, and it is less expensive to obtain. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. The card cannot be used for international air travel.
If issued for the full validity, they are both proof of your u. Apply for a passport card united states department of state. A passport card can provide a more convenient, cheaper alternative to carrying your passport book. Only one execution fee is charged for an individual applying for both a card and book at the same time. If you have a passport card and you are eligible to use form ds82. 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. This depends on the passport service demand at the time. 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 indicate that you would like to apply for both products. Passport books and cards are alternatives to a stateissued id. If i already have a passport book, can i use the ds82 to get a passport card. 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. 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.
The passport card is about the size of any credit card, and fits easily into your wallet for frequent travel. If you have a passport book and you are eligible to use form ds82, you may apply for a passport card as a renewal by mail even if it is your first passport card. It is an alternative to carrying a conventional passport book and is valid for land and sea travel to and from mexico, canada, bermuda, and the caribbean. The passport book is your typical passport, a bound, paged booklet that is issued by the us department of state verifying your identity and nationality, usually for the purpose of traveling internationally all international air travel for us passport holders, regardless of origin or destination airport, must be accompanied by a valid us passport book. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. 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. Now, in terms of a passport book vs passport card, if you happen to be applying for a passport, you will need to consider which to get. You can mail your renewal application directly to the state department yourself. Please contact npic if you do not receive a second mailing within 10 business days of receiving the first. The difference between passport and passport card us.
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. 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. A us passport card can only be used for land and sea travel to canada, mexico or the caribbean. A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air. This processing period can take 4 weeks and up to 6 weeks. 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. The us passport card is less expensive to get then passport book, and is much smaller. While both passport book and card are valid to cross into canada by train, united states citizens over the age of 16 also have several alternative options. Your current us passport this must be the actual book, not a photocopy. Of the internal pages, 17 are blank pages marked visas that are meant for travel visas and country entry and exit stamps. To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to. We only send the passport card via first class mail. You will need to select on this application whether you are.
Us passport book and passport card online application. Presumably its not good for international air travel as there is no way to stamp it, like the passport book. Differences between a passport book and passport card. A passport card can be used to enter the us states at land border crossing or seaportsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. Start today by applying for or renewing your passport. The us passport card is a credit cardsized identification document. Department of state expedite fee paid per application, in addition to. Getting your us passport as easily and quickly as possible. Passport application form ds82, completed offline or filled out online at, printed and signed. However, before you apply for a new passport card, consider carefully whether or not you might be better off getting a us passport book. Passport book is a globally recognized travel document while passport card is not a globally recognized document. Find a passport application acceptance facility card. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail.
Here is a table showing the principal differences between a. The passport card has one fee for us citizens when you apply for the first time, and another fee when you already have a passport. You may receive your newlyissued passport card and your citizenship documents in two separate mailings. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air. Us passport book and passport card online application assistance service terms of business. Any us citizen wishing to travel internationally via air must have a passport book. How to apply for a new passport card rush my passport.
It was designed for people who travel frequently between the u. The united states passport card is an official identity and. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. 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 caribbean. A passport card allows significantly fewer opportunities for the holder to travel, but often its enough for some. We are a privately owned website that is not affiliated with, owned or operated by the us government. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. Difference between passport book and passport card.
I have a passport card, but also need a passport book for overseas. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. To enter the united states at land border crossings or sea portsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda, you can use a passport book or a passport card. Unfortunately, you cannot upgrade your passport card to a passport book. The passport card cannot be used for international air travel. 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. Is a us passport card good or valid id while in europe. Previously issued passport book or passport card official military identification card a photocopy of the valid form of identification id, showing the front and back of the id and provided on plain white 8 12 x 11 paper must be sent in with the passport applications. 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.
You can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. You can use this creditcardsized document to reenter the united states from mexico, canada, bermuda and the caribbean when traveling by land or sea. You must have the original copies of all required documents. A passport book is required for all international travel by air. The card can be used for entering the united states at land border crossings and sea portsofentry from.
If you are thinking about applying for or renewing a u. The passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. Read on to learn how you can apply for your passport card and lighten your load for your next journey. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. Both passport books and cards are valid for 10 years, so if it fits your travel plans, the passport card can be a cheaper alternative. We can send your passport book via a 12 day delivery service. The passport book is much larger and it contains a series of pages for arrival and departure stamps, along with visas and so on. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. The passport card is a walletsized identification card that proves us citizenship.
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