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. If you already hold a passport book, your card will be issued with a different number. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air. Passport cards are valid for land and sea travel to and from canada, mexico and the countries of the caribbean. A passport card can provide a more convenient, cheaper alternative to carrying your passport book. Us passport book and passport card online application. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. Find a passport application acceptance facility 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. A passport card also might be pretty useful for alaska cruises, on condition that all border crossings into canada are done via sea or land. However, before you apply for a new passport card, consider carefully whether or not you might be better off getting a us passport book. Otherwise, it carries the rights and privileges of the u.
The passport card facilitates entry and expedites document processing at u. The passport card cannot be used for international air travel. 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. An adult passport card looks similar to a drivers license, and is valid for ten years. But if youre not worried about the money or youre just planning to travel more in the future internationally, then a passport book would always be a better option. Passport card department of foreign affairs and trade. It is smaller and more convenient to carry than a passport book, and it is less expensive to obtain. The passport card will match the expiry date of your passport book, if you have less than 5 years validity remaining. You cannot use a passport card when traveling by air internationally. A passport book is required for all international travel by air.
The passport card passport card sample, image courtesy travel. You must have the original copies of all required documents. If you already have a passport book or passport card, you can renew by mail using. 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. 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. Our guide will show you the uses and advantages of each document, and will help you figure out which one is best for you, or if you should have both. Travel articles do you need a passport or a passport card. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. Generally speaking, when someone is thinking about a passport, chances are good that they are thinking about 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. The passport book is valid for all types of 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.
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. If youre applying for a passport card for the first time, youll want to find a passport. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. 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 book is the most common passport to carry.
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. Passport books and cards are alternatives to a stateissued id. In this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. 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.
Difference between a passport book and passport card. Can you use the passport card for travel to the bahamas. While customers rarely have two passport books, they commonly have both a passport book and a passport card. 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. Visa, mastercard, diners club international and american express cards are accepted.
If i already have a passport book, can i use the ds82 to get a 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. The requirement is to carry a passport book, if you do not want to carry your passport book for fear of theft then it is better to carry a photo copy of the photo page of your passport book not a passport card. If you have a passport card and you are eligible to use form ds82. Any time you board an international flight, you will need a valid us passport book. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. 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. Department of state, performs the same function of identifying the holder as a u. Differences between a passport book and passport card. Passport cards are wallet sized while the passport book is larger and thicker. To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to. Does a passport card work to go to canada by train.
I will be in this situation in two year and therefore have clicked want answer, but in the meantime here is something ive found in the instructions to the ds82 passport renewal form pdf submit your most recently issued emp. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. 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 do not need to renew your passport before it expires unless you are. Americans may enter the unites states from the bahamas by sea using a passport, passport card, or other western. How to apply for a new passport card rush my passport. Passport book allows you to travel by land, sea and air. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. The passport card is also commonly used for travelers that wish to take a cruise but do not plan on ever traveling by plane. 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. Here are more details about how to apply for a passport card. If you are applying for a passport, youll need to consider whether to get a passport book or a passport card. Just beware that not all caribbean locations will accept this as a valid id per wikipedia.
We only issue second passport books not second passport cards. If you have a passport card, you can also use it to drive across the canadian border and to. The passport card has benefits, but does not offer the same list of privileges as a traditional passport. Along with allowing for international travel, passports can be used to prove your identity and citizenship, especially when you need multiple forms of identification. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. Read on to learn how you can apply for your passport card and lighten your load for your next journey. You can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. A passport card is a smaller version of a passport book and fits inside a wallet. 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. This is because a passport book is the booklet containing information about the person to whom it has been issued, which is in addition to a number of blank pages that can be used for travel visas as well as the stamps when said individuals enters and exits a country. Passport cards, like passport books, are valid for 10 years from the date of issue or 5 years, for children age 15 and younger. The purpose of the passport book is to allow entry and exit to any country in the world. The application process for a passport card is very similar to applying for a passport.
The passport book is the traditional multipage document that border agents stamp as you travel through. A passport card does not count as a second passport. A passport card is less expensive than a traditional passport book. What is the difference between a passport book and.
It can also be used for domestic air travel in the usa. The bahamian government only requires proof of citizenship e. Department of state has a simpletoread list of facts. Passport the application process is the same for either the passport book or card, even if you want both at the same time.
I have a passport card, but also need a passport book for overseas. I suggest you get the card since you are going on a cruise. The passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. Unless you use the mobile passport app, youll have to. This usually does not even satisfy the requirement but does buy you some time in order to produce your real passport book. Can i renew my usa passport book and passport card separately. If youre thinking of going on a cruise, the passport card might be nice when you need.
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