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. Second, a good argument can be made that the passport card is more useful than the passport book for the limited circumstances in which it can be used. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. Applicants must provide documents which attest to their u. Adult renewal applicants 16 and older adult renewal applicants residing in the u. It is intended to be used in place of the standard u. All child applicants, including renewals, must apply in person. A passport card is valid for travel to and from canada, mexico, bermuda, or the caribbean by land or sea only. A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land sea. It is more convenient and cheaper than a 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.
To obtain current delivery and fee schedules for regular and expedited passports, please go to the official passport website. Passport card difference between passport book and passport card u. The walletsized passport card is designed to be more convenient and less cumbersome than regular passports. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air. The card cant be used for international air travel. Aug 10, 2012 a passport book is bigger than a passport card. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. The passport book, on the other hand, is valid for both domestic and international travel. You can use the passport card when traveling in the european union, the european economic area which includes iceland, liechtenstein and norway and switzerland. If your travel plans fit the limitations of the passport card, then it is a budgetfriendly option to obtaining a passport book.
Passport card can be used to enter the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at land border crossings or. Both the book and the card are equally valid as proof of identity and citizenship, and can be used for domestic air travel. It has several pages for visas and travel documents. The passport card is available to all irish citizens who hold a valid irish passport book. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. Both the passport book and passport card serve as proof of your u. They are useful when renewing your passport, especially. The difference between passport and passport card us. This service is not available for passport card applicants. 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.
It contains several pages to document your entry and exit in foreign countries. Conveniently, both the passport book and the passport card have the same renewal period. 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. Carry both the card and the passport book in case of an emergency and you need to fly home. It is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors under 16. Passport book vs passport card for kids the dis disney. 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 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. The passport card contains a radio frequency identification chip as well as the traditional photograph and personal information found in a passport book. The irish passport card is a travel document that irish citizens can use for certain travel instead of the standard passport book.
Passport book valid for all international travel by air, land, and sea. 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. Photocopy of your drivers license or other stateissued id front and back. The united states passport card is an official identity and. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. Only one execution fee is charged for an individual applying for both a card and book at the same time. A passport card is valid for travel to and from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda at land border crossings and sea portsofentry. Any us citizen wishing to travel internationally via air must have a passport book. Passport card vs passport book americas central america. The above fees cannot be combined with the county clerk fees.
Of the internal pages, 17 are blank pages marked visas that are meant for travel visas and country entry and exit stamps. The us passport card is a small passport card, about the size of a credit card, that contains your photo. The passport book is a thin cardboard cover with your picture and information inside it. All data is fully secure and not passed to any third party. The us passport card is less expensive to get then passport book, and is much smaller. Passport the application process is the same for either the passport book or card, even if you want both at the same time. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. That small book is the key for entry into over 150 countries throughout the world. Us passport book and passport card online application. The most obvious difference between passport books and passport cards is the design, of course. Valid drivers license or government issued picture identification. The passport book is also more expensive to purchase.
If youre renewing your passport book and passport card, you must submit both documents. Apply for a passport card residents of england and wales. Only available for passport book applicants in the united states not canada. A passport book is valid for international travel by air, land, or sea. If you have a valid passport book, you do not have to get a passport card as well. The passport book is accepted for any form of international travel and is also the document that holds your visas. In part, this is because the passport card is the size of a standard id card, meaning that it. The passport card was designed for specific needs of northern and southern u. Minors under age 16 will need to submit copies of both parents passports or drivers licenses.
They are useful when renewing your passport, especially if the. Nov 04, 2014 conveniently, both the passport book and the passport card have the same renewal period. If you have a passport book and you are eligible to use form ds82, you may apply for a passport card as a renewal by mail even if it is your first passport card. You will need to specify on the application whether you are applying only for the passport card or for both a passport book and a passport card. Passport book the passport book is designed to be used for all types of international travel. The card cannot be used for international air travel. Your personal details must be an exact match of the. As such, the passport card is adjudicated to the exact standards as the passport book. The card has the same period of validity as 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. However, the passport book is valid for all forms of travel.
There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a 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. In addition to a regular passport, the passport book, u. Completed application filled out in black ink only, no white out, social security number required.
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. The us passport card is a credit card sized identification document. 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. Whats the difference between passport book and passport card. For more information on how to apply, please see firsttime applicants. If you have an old passport book or card you must submit it with your application.
Can only be used in land and sea travels, not by air. See the chart below to decide which is best for you. Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages. Adults will need to have their passport renewed every 10 years. If issued for the full validity, they are both proof of your u. A passport book is required for all international travel by air.
For more information on how to apply, please see renew my passport or children 16 and 17. I want to get my 3 kids passports for our cruise in october. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. When you apply for a passport card, youll spend less money than you would when. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. The passport card is about the size of any credit card, and fits easily into your wallet for frequent travel. Minor children will need to have their passports renewed every 5 years until they reach 16 years of age. The passport card is valid for up to 10 years if you are an adult, and allows you virtually unlimited travel to the caribbean, bermuda, mexico, and. The passport card is intended as a more portable, less expensive alternative to the standard passport book, primarily for u. Customers may apply for a passport book, a passport card or both. 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. Passport card department of foreign affairs and trade. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to.
You can just slip it in your wallet, right behind your drivers license. The biggest difference between a passport book and passport card is that passport cards are only valid to enter canada, mexico, bermuda, and. The state departments website offers complete details and an online application form. The passport book has plenty of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps, while the passport card is a onepiece creditcardsized id card. Passport books and cards are alternatives to a stateissued id. A passport book is valid for any international travel by air, sea or land. Difference between a passport book and passport card.
Application fees and execution fees are paid separately. It is my understanding that it is better to have them in case of emergency. The passport card facilitates entry and expedites document processing at u. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. It was designed for people who travel frequently between the u. The passport book is the only document approved for international travel by air. The us passport card is a credit cardsized identification document. Effective march 24, 2020, the issuance of passport books and cards has been suspended until further notice. A passport book application will take approximately 10 working days to process and a passport card, six to eight weeks. 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. 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. Both the passport card and passport book are proof of your u.
A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. Save yourself hassle with expedited passport services if you dont have the time or patience for applying for your u. You can mail your renewal application directly to the state department yourself. Finally, your passport card will be returned to you.
The passport card is a fully valid passport that attests to the u. In part, this is because the passport card is the size of a standard id card, meaning that it can be carried with the same convenience as any other. Passport cards allow entry from canada, mexico, caribbean. Differences between a passport book and passport card. 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. Can i apply for the passport card and passport book at the same time using the same application. A passport card can only be used to travel by land or sea. Nofee regular passports regular fee passports issued by sia to check the status of a special issuance passport application, you may either contact your federal travel office or refer to the sia status check instructions from an official u. 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. 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. Otherwise, it carries the rights and privileges of the u. If you can submit a passport book, but you lost your passport card, you cannot renew the passport card using form ds82. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a passport book.
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