The passport card is a wallet side document that will be used to expedite document processing from the u. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. Passport card can be used to enter united states from canada, mexico, the. Does a passport card work to go to canada by train. The passport card contains a radio frequency identification chip as well as the traditional photograph and personal information found in a passport book. Passport cards are particularly useful for some people.
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. A passport card can provide a more convenient, cheaper alternative to carrying your passport book. 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. On the form, you indicate that youre applying for a passport card by checking the appropriate. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card.
In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. 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. I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time. Can only be used in land and sea travels, not by air. Passport cards can only be purchased as an addon feature when applying for a passport book. Is there a way to apply for a card while keeping my passport book. Additionally, the cost of the passport card is significantly less than the passport book.
Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. If you want to renew both a valid passport book and passport card, you must submit both documents. The passport book covers international travel by land, air and sea. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. 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. The biggest difference between a passport book and passport card is that passport cards are only valid to enter canada, mexico, bermuda, and. Differences between a passport book and passport card. 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. Should i get a passport card to go along with my passport. 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. I have a passport card, but also need a passport book for overseas. Passport book the passport book is designed to be used for all types of international travel.
The difference between passport and passport card us. If you already have a valid us passport book, then it is not required to also have a passport card to travel internationally. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. However, people find a passport card more convenient and accessible when carrying. To protect yourself against emergency situations, go with a passport book, which covers all international travel by air, sea or land. The passport book only covers land border crossings or seaport entry. The passport book is accepted for any form of international travel and is also the document that holds your. Find a passport application acceptance facility card.
A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. Make sure that you know which type of passport you need before purchasing your passport card or 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. If any of the following apply to you, you may want to obtain a passport card. Your passport book allows you to travel by land, by sea, or by air.
Apr 21, 2016 youll use the same form that you would use to apply for a passport bookeither a ds11 or ds82. 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 carry your passport card with you at all times and leave the passport book safe in the hotel room locker. Aug 10, 2012 a passport card can provide a more convenient, cheaper alternative to carrying your passport book.
You can get a us passport card, whether or not you currently hold a passport book. You can use form ds82 to renew your passport book at the same time that your apply for your passport card. Passport card is a walletsize travel document, issued to u. Oct 19, 2011 do i have to apply as a first time applicant. The passport book is accepted for any form of international travel and is also the document that holds your visas. I use my passport for primary id have lost my backup, for which i dont qualify for anymore anyway. 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. Ds11 only has options under have you ever had either a passport cardbook for no, loststolen, or submitted with application. 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. Priority passport card us passport card service with. If you already only have the passport book, you can get the passport card as well when you apply for your next passport renewal.
H ave you ever wished your passport could fit inside your wallet. If youre applying for a passport card for the first time, youll want to find a passport. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a passport book. Difference between passport book and passport card. The passport card will facilitate entry and expedite document processing at u. Passport books are approved ids for domestic flights.
A passport card provides valid identification for national travel, but only provides valid identification for certain types of international travel. 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. We are now planning on taking a flight out of the country and i need a 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. Sep 30, 2015 the passport book covers international travel by land, air and sea. A passport book provides valid identification for any national or international travel. Passport book vs passport card while there are similarities between a passport book and passport card, it is crucial that those holding either the passport book or card and individuals needing to obtain a passport for the first time know the differences. Passport fees vary if you are a firsttime applicant, renewing your passport, or under age 16. Passport card vs passport book americas central america. Complete online and submit form ds82 available using the online passport wizard. However, depending on where youre travelling, you might be ok with just the card. A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land sea. When a passport card might be just what you need for travel. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to barbados.
If you are traveling by air or to most countries, you will need a. I know there used to be info on this somewhere, but i cant find it. You can apply for a us passport card by mail if you already have a us passport book and eligible to use form ds82. First of all, a passport card can be used for travel by sea to barbados. Can you use the passport card for travel to the bahamas. Is a question frequently asked by our readers if you are traveling to mexico, canada, and the caribbean as a u. A passport card is the same size as a drivers license, and is official proof of your identity and us citizenship.
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. Effective november 24, 2017, the consular section of the u. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. Can i upgrade from a passport card to a passport book. I currently have a passport card that was issued in june 2009. The passport card is designed to be a less expensive and more. Applying for passport card wo giving up passport book. 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. The us passport card is a credit cardsized identification document. The passport card has benefits, but does not offer the same list of privileges as a traditional passport.
The irish passport card is a travel document that irish citizens can use for certain travel instead of the standard passport book. Read on to learn how you can apply for your passport card and lighten your load for your next journey. Any us citizen wishing to travel internationally via air must have a passport book. Otherwise, it carries the rights and privileges of the u. The united states passport card is an official identity and. Feb 12, 2019 passport book the passport book is designed to be used for all types of international travel. It was introduced on july 18th, 2008 and over 7 million passport cards have been issued since then. Youll use the same form that you would use to apply for a passport bookeither a ds11 or ds82. Passport card difference between passport book and passport card u. Carry both the card and the passport book in case of an emergency and you need to fly home. Application form ds11 can be used in order to apply for a passport book, passport card or both. The passport card facilitates entry and expedites document processing at u.
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. 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. Embassy in brussels, belgium will no longer accept credit card payments for passport card applications by mail. However, if you get a passport card, it cannot be used for travel by air. For complete instructions and a link to download the form, click the link below. If im remembering correctly, you can use your passport card when travelling by land or sea. 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. Jul 27, 2009 can i upgrade from a passport card to a passport book. You can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. For example, if you can submit a passport book, but you lost your passport card, you cannot renew the passport card. Jul 26, 2019 unfortunately, you cannot upgrade your passport card to a passport book.
I have a passport card i got last year while going to mexico, but this spring im going to study abroad so i need an actual book. If you have a passport card and you are eligible to use form ds82. The card may not be used to travel internationally by air. There is no reason to ever get a passport card, unless you only travel to canada, mexico or caribbean.
While there are similarities between a passport book and passport card, it is crucial that those holding either the passport book or card and individuals needing to obtain a passport for the first time know the differences. I will be needing to get a passport book within the next couple of years so i can travel to barbados. Because of its small size, the passport card will fit in your wallet. 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. 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. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. It makes for such a great alternative as it sits right in your wallet and is actually costs less than a regular passport book. As of march 25, 2020, post offices which are still accepting applications are requiring customers to make an online appointment to apply in. S citizens that want to travel by land or sea to canada, mexico, and the caribbean. So if someone gets sick on a cruise and only has the. 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 bought a passport card a few months ago to go on a cruise. The passport card is walletsize while the passport book is 5x3 12 when closed. The passport card will match the expiry date of your passport book, if you have less than 5 years validity remaining.
The primary differences determine where and how the holder may travel. Many passport application acceptance facilities, which include libraries, clerks of court, and post offices, are not accepting u. Unfortunately, you cannot upgrade your passport card to a passport book. On the top of the ds82 application for passport renewal, you can select both.
I remember reading somewhere that the fees were different, but im not sure. It was designed for people who travel frequently between the us and canada, mexico, bermuda or the caribbean by land or sea. Only one execution fee is charged for an individual applying for both a card and book at the same time. The primary justification i had for doing so was tha. 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. Vip passports and visa services united states passport agency specializes in american passports, us passports, passport renewals, passport applications, passports forms, birth certificates, notary services, visas, and passports in less than 24 hours. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport. The card may not be used to travel internationally by air the requirements for applying for a u. The passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. Visa, mastercard, diners club international and american express cards are accepted. Ds11 only has options under have you ever had either a passport card book for no, loststolen, or submitted with application. 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. 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. If you want to renew either a valid book or a card, you must submit the specific document you want to renew.
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. 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 passport card is designed to be a less expensive and more portable alternative to the passport book. 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. Priority passport card for people with upcoming travel plans, a passport book might be used as an alternative to to the usual passport book. 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. There are few travelers in this world who arent interested in trying to save money while on vacation. The traditional passport book is still required for most travel purposes. The us passport card in july of 2008, due to requests from residents along us borders for a more portable and easier application process than a regular passport, the united states department of state began issuing passport cards, a wallet sized identity card usable for international travel by land and sea, valid only for travel to. Us passport books and us passport cards the differences. The us passport card is a small passport card, about the size of a credit card, that contains your photo and identifying information. 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.
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