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. On the other hand, the us passport card is only accepted as a u. 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 card difference between passport book and passport card u. State department issues two versions of a passport. You must renew your passport book at the same time that your apply for your passport card so your passport book and card have the same number. Apply for a passport card united states department of state. This emergency passport doesnt have all of the security bells and whistles that a regular u. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. The card cant be used for international air travel. Differences between a passport book and passport card.
Because of public health measures to prevent the spread of covid19, we have extremely limited u. The passport card facilitates entry and expedites document processing at u. Does a passport card work to go to canada by train. As such, the passport card is adjudicated to the exact standards as the passport book. The passport book has lots of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps. It is intended to be used in place of the standard u. See the chart below to decide which is best for you. If you have a passport card and you are eligible to use form ds82. 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 is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air. The passport card has benefits, but does not offer the same list of privileges as a traditional passport.
Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. However, depending on where youre travelling, you might be ok with just the card. 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. Unless you have a lifeordeath emergency, please wait to apply for or renew your. 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. 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 cannot use a passport card when traveling by air internationally. If issued for the full validity, they are both proof of your u. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. Currently takes 6 weeks regular processing or 3 expedited. More specifically, it can be used when entering the u. Due to this growth, more and more questions are sent to use about this travel document. Canada, mexico, bermuda, and 17 island nations of the caribbean.
Your old passport book andor card will be returned to you, but generally it will come in a separate mailing from your new passport. While having a us passport card is great and affordable, if you need an emergency trip home. The passport book has plenty of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps, while the passport card is a onepiece creditcardsized id card. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. 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. Fees for renewing or getting a new passport depend on several factors such as. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. The passport card does serve a purpose as a secondary form of photo identification and proof of u. While an enhanced drivers license does prove citizenship, the passport card is better because its more authoritative.
You only need a passport book if you travel by air. If you are thinking about applying for or renewing a u. 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. A passport card can be used to enter the us states at land border crossing or seaportsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. A passport card also could be useful for alaska cruises, as long as all border crossings into canada are done by land or sea. If i already have a passport book, can i use the ds82 to get a passport card. The passport card is designed to be a less expensive and more. 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.
Can i upgrade from a passport card to a passport book. Any us citizen wishing to travel internationally via air must have 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. Department of state since 2008, and can be used to enter and exit 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.
I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. It was designed for people who travel frequently between the u. Include name change documents if applicable if the name you are currently using is different from the name on your most recent u. No, you must simply apply for the passport book now. Passport card has the same period of validity as the u. A passport card is a smaller version of a passport book and fits inside a wallet. Passport card vs passport book carnival cruise lines. 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. 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. Getting your us passport as easily and quickly as possible. S citizens that want to travel by land or sea to canada, mexico, and the caribbean. It is smaller and more convenient to carry than a passport book, and it is less expensive to obtain. 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. Youll need to include your most recent passport, form ds82, an updated passport photo, payment for the new book andor card, and any documentation to support a requested name change.
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. This option means getting both a passport book and passport card with just one application. Us passport card versus passport book vip passports. Do i need a passport book, passport card, or passport book. Can you upgrade from a passport card to a passport book. You will also need the passport book in order to receive a travel visa from countries that require an issue them. 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. Of the internal pages, 17 are blank pages marked visas that are meant for travel visas and country entry and exit stamps. Passport books are too fragile, and birth certificates lack photos or expiration dates.
The us passport card is a credit cardsized identification document. You can get a passport card with your passport book if you like. The passport card is a fully valid passport that attests to the u. Passport book for reentry into the united states from any country. The application process is the same for either the passport book or card, even if you want both at the same time. It contains just enough information to keep you traveling when you reach an international border or get you back into the united states when youre ready to return home. 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. Passport cards are valid for land and sea travel to and from canada, mexico and the countries of the caribbean.
What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. Can only be used in land and sea travels, not by air. A passport card only applies to land or sea travel to certain locations internationally, which is noted on the back of the card. Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages. If youre leaving for an international trip, your passport is. Applicants must provide documents which attest to their u. Whats really stored on the microchip in your passport. I have a passport card, but also need a passport book for overseas. At the size of a drivers license, it is very portable. Both forms are available for download on the state departments passport website. Unfortunately, you cannot upgrade your passport card to a passport book. If im remembering correctly, you can use your passport card when travelling by land or sea.
How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. Us passport book and passport card online application. Its issued by the federal government, which is the only entity that can determine citizenship. Applying for a passport card by mail will take up to 8 weeks.
Yes, if you have a passport card, you can obtain a passport book at any time. First of all, a passport card can be used for travel by sea to barbados. You must have the original copies of all required documents. The passport card is intended as a more portable, less expensive alternative to the standard passport book, primarily for u.
Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. Additionally, for states that do not yet comply with the real id act of 200. The passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. What is the difference between a passport card or book. We only issue second passport books not second passport cards. If you already have a passport book or passport card, you can renew by mail using form. Otherwise, it carries the rights and privileges of the u. 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. Save yourself hassle with expedited passport services if you dont have the time or patience for applying for your u. What you need to know about passport cards fastport passport. Just a few years later, the number of passport cards issued rose to over one million.
1558 14 432 64 697 1245 1039 436 709 189 968 746 1593 235 1047 656 126 601 216 404 640 830 1375 1394 795 1141 129 420 478 697 1468 1105 933 41 632 542 1148 843