However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. Some countries require you to carry your passport with you at all times. The passport card contains a radio frequency identification chip as well as the traditional photograph and personal information found in a passport book. The other is the passport card, which is just like a drivers license. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is not requried that you obtain both. Since a passport book comes with multiple pages, the cost is more than a passport card. Travel articles do you need a passport or a passport card. 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. Passport book vs passport card for kids the dis disney. Select both and you will pay additional fees for the passport book and passport card. It was introduced on july 18th, 2008 and over 7 million passport cards have been issued since then. A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land sea. If you lose your passport book you still have your passport card and vice versa.
It was designed for people who travel frequently between the u. Be sure to answer all questions accurately as any mistakes may result in a delay. 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. Differences between passport book and passport card. For instance, if there is a medical or family emergency, you will not be able to fly out of the country to return home. 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. A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air. Can only be used in land and sea travels, not by air. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. The passport card was really meant to be a cheaper form of identification for people who live near the border and drive across frequently, to make it easier for them to comply with the western hemisphere travel initiative that requires passports for border. Practical travel safety and security issues is it worth it to get a passport card if you are already renewing a passport book. If the applicant already has a passport book and is capable of utilizing form ds82, they can apply for a passport card by the using a mailing system. 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. All you have to do is mark the passport application to show you are requesting both the passport book and passport card.
You may request a larger passport book with 52 pages, at no additional cost, by checking the 52 page box at the top of the ds11. Passport books and cards are alternatives to a stateissued id. In such situations, a passport card comes in handy because it is the size of a credit card and fits nicely in a wallet. For travelers age 15 or younger, us passport cards are valid for five. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. The fee to obtain a passport card and passport book also changes. Apr 06, 2016 its easy to get a passport card for your child when you apply for their minor passport book. The passport book is only type of passport that is accepted for international air travel.
I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time. You can apply for a passport book, a passport card, or both documents using form ds11. Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the u. Passport card information must be entered manually by the cm at checkin. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. Passport card vacation season is right around the corner, and as such, you will most likely be renewing or obtaining your us passport. Getting a card only allows you to visit canada and mexico. Any us citizen wishing to travel internationally via air must have a passport book. While a passport book is valid for all types of travel land, sea or air to any destination. What is the difference between a passport book and. Jun 03, 2014 for more information on applying for a new passport book or card, a renewal or other passport questions, please contact covingtons helpful business travel advisors.
The passport card is a wallet side document that will be used to expedite document processing from the u. Department of state recommends the passport book as it is more versatile. Its easy to get a passport card for your child when you apply for their minor passport book. Your passport cards validity is not linked to the expiration date of your passport book. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults, and five years for travelers under age 16. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport. A passport card is a very convenient way to travel. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. Check the appropriate boxes on the top of the application form ds82. 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. A passport book is valid for all types of travel land. 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 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.
I bet they will tell me to get the book but i think i will ask anyhow. When you apply for a passport card, if you are age 16 or older, your card will be valid for ten years from the date of issuance. Ds11 only has options under have you ever had either a passport card book for no, loststolen, or submitted with application. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. The primary justification i had for doing so was tha. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card. A passport book is an acceptable document for international travels. I need to purchase my passport, but i dont know if i need just the book, or just the card, or both. An adult passport card looks similar to a drivers license, and is valid for ten years.
S citizens that want to travel by land or sea to canada, mexico, and the caribbean. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. Applying for passport card wo giving up passport book. Can i have a passport and passport card at the same time. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults. Ive tried searching on the passport card threads, but if this specific question has been discussed ive managed to miss it. Now, the us citizens have an option of applying for a passport book or passport card, or even both. If you are thinking about applying for or renewing a 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. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it. 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. Is it worth it to get a passport card if you are already. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book.
Is there a way to apply for a card while keeping my passport book. If you are traveling by air or to most countries, you will need a traditional passport book, with pages for your various visas. The passport book only covers land border crossings or seaport entry. The united states government has come up with a simple solution in order to make traveling easier between neighboring countries. The us passport card is a credit cardsized identification document. A passport book is valid for all types of travel land, sea or air to any destination. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. The application allows you to get a passport booklet or a passport card, or both.
This will be the first time i leave the country and fly in an airplane. Regardless if you are traveling by air, land, or sea, you can use a passport. 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. To apply directly online, please visit covingtons cibt visas partner portal and automatically get a 20% discount. What is the difference between a passport book and passport card.
Travelbuzz applying for passport card wo giving up passport book. To apply directly online, please visit covingtons cibt visas partner portal. Additionally, having to lug around a small book, which can be easily misplaced, is inconvenient. 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. You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a passport book. 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. I use my passport for primary id have lost my backup, for which i dont qualify for anymore anyway. Complete online and submit form ds82 available using the online passport wizard. 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. Differences between a passport book and passport card. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their. The passport card is designed to be a less expensive and more. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. Should i get a passport card to go along with my passport.
If you are interested in gaining a passport card for travel between the caribbean, canada, mexico and bermuda, then that can be done. Heres a look at the key differences and various other pieces of info which will prove very useful. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. Sep 02, 2010 there is no reason to ever get a passport card, unless you only travel to canada, mexico or caribbean.
Both passport books and cards are valid for 10 years, so if it fits your travel. I currently have a passport card that was issued in june 2009. Oct 16, 2017 the passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. While the passport card is permissible for a cruise, you may want to reconsider getting the card over the book. Unless you use the mobile passport app, youll have to. Both the passport book and passport card serve as proof of your u. Difference between passport book and passport card.
You must have the original copies of all required documents. You cannot use a passport card when traveling by air internationally. Passport the application process is the same for either the passport book or card, even if you want both at the same time. Both documents are valid for 10 years for adults 16 and older, and 5 years for those under the age of 16. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. 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. Global strategy project since we all know how to acquire passport booklets, lets learn how to get hold of a passport card.
A book allows you to travel anywhere else assuming you have all the other documents, visas etc. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to barbados. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. For more information on applying for a new passport book or card, a renewal or other passport questions, please contact covingtons helpful business travel advisors.
When you apply for a passport card, youll spend less money than you would when applying for a passport book. I know there used to be info on this somewhere, but i cant find it. If you have a valid passport book, you do not have to get a passport card as well. The passport book comes in both a standard, 24page version and a bigger, 52page version for those who travel frequently. Aug 18, 2016 one is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. I will be needing to get a passport book within the next couple of years so i can travel to barbados. While the passport card is more convenient due to its size, it is far more restricted in use than the passport book. Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. May 17, 2011 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. And, actually, the passport card will slow down your checkin time at the port a little bit, as they currently cannot be scanned into the computer like the passport books are. The passport card is smaller when compared to the size of passport book. Department of state of the views or products contained therein. 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.
Because of public health measures to prevent the spread of covid19. 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. Passport card vs passport book canada immigration forum. You can apply by mail using form ds82 if you have a passport book or card. The passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. A passport card is cheaper to get but is only valid for travel to canada, mexico and the caribbean islands. This is the busy time of year for us passport applicants wanting to prepare for summer traveling whether close to home destinations such as mexico or canada, or far away destinations such as. The us passport card is a credit card sized identification document. One is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. The us passport card does not contain any travel history and therefore officers should request a us passport book unless they are otherwise satisfied that the applicant continues to satisfy the residence requirement. Cant see a reason youd need both other than another form of id that fits in your wallet.
Sometimes it makes life more convenient to have both a passport book and a card, and carry them both on your international travel. The us passport card is a small passport card, about the size of a credit card, that contains your photo and identifying information. 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. The passport card is also considered a passport but is much more limite. Yet, it is advisable to carry both the things while taking an international trip. 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. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison diffen. Id seen the passport card discussed and pitched when it was new. The difference between passport and passport card us. There is no reason to ever get a passport card, unless you only travel to canada, mexico or caribbean. 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. But later it does talk about needed it to gain citizenship. So if someone gets sick on a cruise and only has the passport card, they cant fly them home.
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