Us passport book and passport card online application. What is the differences between a passport book vs card with additional information and requirement for getting both a card and book. Passport card the standard passport book covers all the bases. Passport card was designed for the specific needs of the traveler between the northern and southern borders of the united states. A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land sea. Both the passport book and passport card serve as proof of your u. Department of state recommends the passport book as it is more versatile. If you lose your passport book you still have your passport card and vice versa. First, stop looking at the gorgeous person in the picture on the left, and look to the right. Passport card for a reduced fee if you only plan to travel by land or sea to and from canada, mexico, bermuda, or the caribbean nations. The standard passport is 28 pages, and the nonstandard book is 52 pages. Department of state, is compliant to the standards for identity documents set by the real id act and can be used as proof of u. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card.
Passport books and cards are alternatives to a stateissued id. The passport book is valid for all international travel. 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. Entering the united states at land border crossings and sea portsofentry from. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a. The passport card is a cheaper alternative to the passport book.
The passport card shares the same validity period as the passport book. Well help you determine whether you want or need to pay extra for the passport card. The passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. For instance, if there is a medical or family emergency, you will not be able to fly out of the country to return home. Depending on where you are traveling outside of the u. Us passport book and passport card online application assistance services. Can only be used in land and sea travels, not by air.
Aug 10, 2012 your passport book allows you to travel by land, by sea, or by air. Regardless, the passport card that is issued in the united states still has select uses under select circumstances. 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. 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.
If issued for the full validity, they are both proof of your u. In the upper righthand corner, theres a ninedigit number, which is your passport number. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. The passport card cannot be used for international air travel. Although, keep in mind, while both can be used as forms of id. A passport card is also available for certain travel situations. The passport book is the only document approved for international air travel.
A passport card is valid for travel to and from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda at land border crossings and sea portsofentry. There are few travelers in this world who arent interested in trying to save money while on vacation. The card format passport is for international travel by u. Minors under 16 will need to renew their passport every 5 years. I will be needing to get a passport book within the next couple of years so i can travel to barbados. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. If you are also applying for a renewal of your passport book and you opt for expedited service by mail, your passport book will arrive in 23 weeks, but your passport card may arrive in a separate envelope several weeks later.
Oct 05, 2018 if so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. Passport book booklet style id travel document standard passport book has 28 pages. The passport card is a fully valid passport that attests to the u. Jun 09, 2019 if youre only planning on going between the u. See below the differences between a passport book vs. Like the book, passport cards are good for 10 years if you are 16 or older. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults, and five years for travelers under age 16. We may be compensated if you make a purchase via a link on this site. It was designed for people who travel frequently between the us and canada, mexico, bermuda or the caribbean by land or sea. Getting a 52page passport international travel news.
The united states passport card is an official identity and. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. However, each of these items comes with certain restrictions regarding when you can use them. The passport card is a travel document that can be used to enter the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports of entry. However, the passport card cannot be used for international air travel. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. What s the difference between a passport book and a passport card. If you are eligible to renew, you can complete the process by yourself and should not go to an acceptance facility. Can be used for international travel via land, sea, or air. A passport card is less expensive than a traditional passport book.
Passport books are larger than cards and come with many pages for customs stamps. The us passport card is a credit card sized identification document. Select both and you will pay additional fees for the passport book and passport card. In addition to a regular passport, the passport book, u. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u.
But, whats the difference between a passport book vs card. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their travels abroad. The passport card is also commonly used for travelers that wish to take a cruise but do not plan on ever traveling by plane. However, applicants must first understand the passport card vs passport book debate before they choose which documentation is better for them. 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 want a 52page passport book, be sure to check the appropriate box on form ds82. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. The passport card is only valid for land and sea travel to canada, mexico, and the caribbean. Oct 07, 2017 wondering what s the difference between a passport book and a passport card. Validity of a passport book is 10 years for adults, 5 years for minors under age 16 the size of a passport book is approximately 5 x 3. The passport card was designed for the specific needs of northern and southern u. I currently have a passport card that was issued in june 2009. The passport book vs card question is one you may have if you are a firsttime international traveler. You cannot use a passport card for international travel by.
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. 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. A passport book is required for all international travel by air. The passport card is a walletsize identification card with your picture, information, and barcode. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison diffen. Difference between passport book and passport card. The passport card is a walletsize card and is meant to be used only when reentering the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at landborder crossings or sea portsofentry. In general, everyone must have a passport book or a regular passport to travel from one country to another. You will need a passport book if you plan to travel by airplane. It is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors under 16. How to get a passport card fast applying for a passport card by mail will take up to 8 weeks. The state departments website offers complete details and an online application form.
The passport card can be used for identification purposes. My passport was issued to me when i was 17 years old and now 10 years later i believe i am eligible to renew it. Therefore, it can be used for all forms of travel air, land, and sea to and from any destination outside of the united states. In this post, well cover the main differences so you know exactly which passport option is right for you. Passport book vs card it is common for travelers to wonder, what is the difference between a passport book and card. 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. Feb 12, 2019 you can also apply for the passport book and the passport card at the same time when youre utilizing the ds11 new passport application for new passport. They have been available to us citizens since 2008, and are meant to be a convenient way to prove your identity and citizenship. The passport card contains a radio frequency identification chip as well as the traditional photograph and personal information found in a passport book. Differences between a passport book and passport card. The passport booklet may be the widelyused choice, but u.
Passport book for reentry into the united states from any country. Passport cardbasically a limiteduse passport enhanced drivers licenseacts both as a driver license and a travel document, but also with limits. Passport book is a globally recognized travel document while passport card is not a globally recognized document. 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. While the passport card is permissible for a cruise, you may want to reconsider getting the card over the book. The passport card is only accepted at land and sea border crossings between the u. Applicants must provide documents which attest to their u. Beyond the fact that there are certain limits to where individuals can travel with their passport card, there are certain advantages to this form of identification. What is the differences between passport book vs passport card. The passport card is only valid for entry into the united states at land border crossings or sea ports of entry. To enter the united states at land border crossings or sea portsofentry from canada, mexico, the. Difference between a passport book and passport card. What is the differences between passport book vs passport.
You can get a us passport card, whether or not you currently hold a passport book. Often, the passport book is more common because it is a versatile document for u. Both of these documents give you the ability to travel outside of the country. Pass cards come equipped with a microchip that assigns a distinct number to its owner. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to barbados.
Passport cards are a form of us passport that are the size of a credit card or drivers license. 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. A passport card provides valid identification for national travel, but only provides valid identification for certain types of international travel. Apply for a passport card travel us department of state. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air. Whats the difference between a passport book and a.
As such, the passport card is adjudicated to the exact standards as the passport book. 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 the walletsize travel document that can only be used to reenter the united states at land bordercrossings and sea portsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda. When a passport card might be just what you need for travel. H ave you ever wished your passport could fit inside your wallet. This is a privately owned website and not a government agency. Passport card is not a globally recognized travel document like the traditional u. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. Its easy to get distracted when flipping through a passport, but with a little bit of focus, finding the passport book number isnt too hard. Many overseas countries need nothing more for entrance compared to a u. 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. When using international air travel, a passport book is required regardless of the foreign destination. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. Passport card difference between passport book and passport card u.
Rush my passport the trusted partner in expedited u. A passport book is valid for any international travel by air, sea or land. If you find yourself frequently traveling to canada or mexico but not so much the rest of the world, a passport card is one way to help pinch some pennies. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. The difference between a passport book or card getaway usa. The passport book is the same as the original passport you need it when youre going to travel by airplane. Here are the countries and territories where a us passport card is valid. See the chart below to decide which is best for you. Jun 20, 2019 passport book is a globally recognized travel document while passport card is not a globally recognized document. 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. 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. Both the book and the card are equally valid as proof of identity and citizenship, and can be used for domestic air travel.
Passport card also known as a pass card is a less expensive, walletsized version of a traditional passport with a few traveluse conditions. Nov 20, 2017 a passport card allows significantly fewer opportunities for the holder to travel, but often its enough for some. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. A passport card is the size of a drivers license and can be used only for travel by land or sea to canada, mexico, bermuda, and parts of the caribbean. Although, keep in mind, while both can be used as forms of id when traveling, the passport card has some restrictions. This number, through vicinityread radio frequency technology, matches up with a customs. The state departments website offers complete details and. Passport books are generally more convenient than passport cards, because they allow you to travel internationally without any worry of. You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a passport book. External links to other internet sites and listings of private entities on this page are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as the u. Citizens who are only looking to visit certain foreign countries, and travel by land or sea, actually prefer this choice, but is the passport card actually worth the money. Whats the difference between passport book and passport card.
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