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 card has the same period of validity as a passport book. Passport card department of foreign affairs and trade. If you have a passport card, you can also use it to drive across the canadian border and to. To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to. The passport card will match the expiry date of your passport book, if you have less than 5 years validity remaining. What is the difference between a passport book and passport card. Apr 06, 2016 all you have to do is mark the passport application to show you are requesting both the passport book and passport card. You must have the original copies of all required documents. The passport book has plenty of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps, while the passport card is a onepiece credit card sized id card. Can you use the passport card for travel to the bahamas. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u.
A passport card is a card the size of a drivers license that is issued by the us state department. What is the difference between a passport book and. The purpose of the passport book is to allow entry and exit to any country in the world. Whats the difference between a passport book and a.
Ds11 only has options under have you ever had either a passport card book for no, loststolen, or submitted with application. The card cant be used for international air travel. How to apply for a new passport card rush my passport. Start today by applying for or renewing your passport. How to know if you need a passport book or passport card. Please contact npic if you do not receive the second or third mailing within 10 business days of the previous mailing. Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. Here are more details about how to apply for a passport card.
What documentation do you need to renew a childs us. Like a passport book, it proves your identity and us citizenship. 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 us passport book vs passport card debate has many of us confused as to which one we should apply. They are valid for five years from the date of issue, just like a minor passport book. While the passport book allows for full international travel via all methods including flying, it can sometimes b. This has, unsurprisingly, caused a lot of confusion for individuals.
Last summer i was in michigan and the opportunity arose to go to canada for the day. 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. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. Sometimes it makes life more convenient to have both a passport book and a card, and carry them both on your international travel. Unless you have a lifeordeath emergency, you should wait until normal. When you apply for a passport card, youll spend less money than you would when. United states passports are passports issued to citizens and nationals of the united states of america, they are issued exclusively by the u. 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. You will need to fill in an official form and present identification and proof of citizenship. Minor children will need to have their passports renewed every 5 years until they reach 16 years of age.
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. If you have the book, you dont need the card unless youd like to have it as a walletsized id or you plan to travel frequently by car to canada andor mexicothe card. I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time. Nowadays, its best to carry a valid passport any time you leave the country. Is there any reason i should get a us passport card in. Application form ds11 can be used in order to apply for a passport book, passport card or both. 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. You will be required to submit your expired passport book card with your application. It can also be used for domestic air travel in the usa. Youll use the same form that you would use to apply for a passport book either a ds11 or ds82. In a short period of time, passport services received over 350,000 applications for the passport card. For canada crossings, nexus card no longer beats a us passport.
The primary justification i had for doing so was tha. Our website will assist you in filling in your application and we also offer a free live chat service, should you have any queries or need any online help. The passport card is only valid for entry into the united states at land border crossings or sea ports of entry. I believe getting the passport card is the same price as getting a passport book renewal.
The passport card is only good for land and sea travel to canada, mexico and approximately 17 islands in the caribbean. A us passport card can only be used for land and sea travel to canada, mexico or the caribbean. If you are applying for a passport, youll need to consider whether to get a. The passport book is the traditional multipage document that border agents stamp as you travel through. The passport book is the most common passport to carry. You do not need a valid passport book in order to apply for a passport id card, and you can apply for either the card only, or you can apply for a passport book and a passport card at the same time.
Oct 05, 2018 if so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. All you have to do is mark the passport application to show you are requesting both the passport book and passport card. An adult passport card looks similar to a drivers license, and is valid for ten years. The us passport book vs passport card salon prive mag. To use this option, your current us passport must be undamaged and in your possession. Us passport book and passport card online application. 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. It is intended to be used in place of the standard u. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. Jan 11, 2019 the passport card is also commonly used for travelers that wish to take a cruise but do not plan on ever traveling by plane. I suggest you get the card since you are going on a cruise. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one.
Both the passport book and passport card serve as proof of your u. Save yourself hassle with expedited passport services if you dont have the time or patience for applying for your u. As the others have said, its really only good as a backup in case you lose the real us passport book. You cannot use a passport card when traveling by air internationally.
Application form to complete the application for a passport book, card, or both together, first do one of the following. 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. Jan 23, 2019 42% of americans hold a passport book, the kind with your identification portion and the pages to stamp and 60% of american does not know if a passport book or passport card is good for internetional traveling. Jun 03, 2014 the passport card passport card sample, image courtesy travel. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. Adult passports are valid for 10 years and may be renewed by mail. The passport card is good only for land and sea travel from border crossings and sea portsofentry into the united states from mexico, canada bermuda and the caribbean. 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. Jul 29, 2012 passport books are the ultimate travel document for visiting any foreign countries, american citizens can use this to travel everywhere outside of the us. This is my opinion and should be taken with a grain of salt, as just that. You can mail your renewal application directly to the state department yourself.
No one expects an emergency, and whether you plan or not plan to travel. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. Of the internal pages, 17 are blank pages marked visas that are meant for travel visas and country entry and exit stamps. Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages. When i last renewed my passport i decided to pay the extra few bucks for a passport card and im glad i did. The other is the passport card, which is just like a drivers license. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. Get a passport card with your passport renewal g3passports. They are valid for ten years for adults, and five years for children age 15 and younger. Department of state, performs the same function of identifying the holder as a u. Conveniently, both the passport book and the passport card have the same renewal period.
United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. Apply for a passport card united states department of state. Travel articles do you need a passport or a passport card. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. Firsttime passport card applicants who do not have a passport book traditional passport must go in person to a passport application facility, such as a post office or courthouse, and submit a completed passport application form, proof of us citizenship, one passport photo and the required fee. If you already have a us passport, you may be able to apply for a new passport card using passport renewal form ds82. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane.
While having a us passport card is great and affordable, if you need an emergency trip home, you may decide that a us passport book is more your liking. Department of state has a simpletoread list of facts. 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 application process for a passport card is very similar to applying for a passport. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. The first us passport card was issued on july 14, 2008. The passport card is a cheaper alternative to the passport book. Department of state passport services recently began issuing the passport card as an alternative to the traditional passport book. Today, united states citizens need a passport to travel to neighboring countries such as mexico and canada. 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. To renew a childs passport book card you would need to submit the paperwork via the post office and you will need an appointment to do this. Aug 10, 2012 a passport book is bigger than a passport card.
A nexus card is all you need for proof of citizenship when you cross the uscanadian border by land or by sea. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air. The united states passport card is an official identity and limited travel document issued by the. The us passport card is quite useless in form and substance. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card.
The department of state is issuing this passport card in response to the needs of border resident communities for a less expensive and more portable alternative to the traditional passport book. You never know when you might need to get off the ship because of an. Adults will need to have their passport renewed every 10 years. 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. However, before you apply for a new passport card, consider carefully whether or not you might be better off getting a us passport book. 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. If you got any questions about whether you need a passport book or card, please contact travel visa pro we are always ready to help you. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. Differences between a passport book and passport card. State department issues two versions of a passport.
Since you are going to japan, you need to apply for a passport book, thus not necessary to get a card too. One is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. A single 2by2inch passport photo must be submitted with each application. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. The difference between a passport book or card getaway usa. Nov 20, 2017 a passport card allows significantly fewer opportunities for the holder to travel, but often its enough for some. A passport card is cheaper than a passport book, but cant be used for air. Passport book allows you to travel by land, sea and air. Also, it must be less than 15 years since it was issued, and if your name has changed in the interim, you need official documentation of the. Not only do they look different, they serve slightly different purposes. Feb 21, 2020 cancun passport requirements vary depending on how you enter mexico.
The passport card was created when it became necessary to use a passport for travel to and from us border communities. 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. On the form, you indicate that youre applying for a. Aug 18, 2016 today, united states citizens need a passport to travel to neighboring countries such as mexico and canada. If you already hold a passport book, your card will be issued with a different number.
Visa, mastercard, diners club international and american express cards are accepted. Passport photos must be in color and taken within the past six months in front of a white or off. For air travel, you do need a passport, but having a nexus card will generally get you through the airport more quickly. 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. Should i get a passport card to go along with my passport. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport. 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.