The us passport card is a credit cardsized identification document. I will be needing to get a passport book within the next couple of years so i can travel to barbados. 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. 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. 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. Both documents are valid for 10 years for adults 16 and older, and 5 years for those under the age of 16. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card. The most obvious difference between passport books and passport cards is the design, of course. You can just slip it in your wallet, right behind your drivers license. 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. I use my passport for primary id have lost my backup, for which i dont qualify for anymore anyway. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to barbados.
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. Ive tried searching on the passport card threads, but if this specific question has been discussed ive managed to miss it. The traditional passport book is still required for most travel purposes. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is not requried that you obtain both. Ds11 only has options under have you ever had either a passport cardbook for no, loststolen, or submitted with application. I know there used to be info on this somewhere, but i cant find it. Currently, all citizens of the united states need a one or the other for international travel, even to neighboring countries such as mexico and canada. The other is the passport card, which is just like a drivers license.
Whats the difference between a passport book and a. Because of public health measures to prevent the spread of covid19, we have extremely limited u. Difference between passport book and passport card. Passport book vs passport card passport blog simple.
The best way to give consent is for both parentsguardians to go with the child when applying. A book allows you to travel anywhere else assuming you have all the other documents, visas etc. An adult passport card looks similar to a drivers license, and is valid for ten years. 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. 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. Whether you get the passport bookcard both are valid for 10 years. Enhanced drivers license many people may not know but depending on the state that you live in a third option is available to you. Passport applications for children under 16 have special requirements. Complete online and submit form ds82 available using the online passport wizard. Can i have a passport and passport card at the same time. The passport card is also considered a passport but is much more limite. The passport card is a wallet side document that will be used to expedite document processing from the 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.
Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. Check the appropriate boxes on the top of the application form ds82. It was designed for people who travel frequently between the u. It was introduced on july 18th, 2008 and over 7 million passport cards have been issued since then. For travelers age 15 or younger, us passport cards are valid for five. This will be the first time i leave the country and fly in an airplane.
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. 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 book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. You can apply for a passport book, a passport card, or both documents using form ds11. The walletsized passport card is designed to be more convenient and less cumbersome than regular passports. Passport card vacation season is right around the corner, and as such, you will most likely be renewing or obtaining your us passport. You can also apply for both at the same time if it is your first time to get a passport. Passport card cannot be used for flying into these counties or any other countries. Should i get a passport card to go along with my passport. 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. Save yourself hassle with expedited passport services if you dont have the time or patience for applying for your u. Differences between a passport book and passport card. Cant see a reason youd need both other than another form of id that fits in your wallet. 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.
Both forms are available for download on the state departments passport website. One is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. The passport card facilitates entry and expedites document processing at u. A passport card is a very convenient way to travel. Applying for passport card wo giving up 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 needed for those places. Is there a way to apply for a card while keeping my passport book. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport. There is no reason to ever get a passport card, unless you only travel to canada, mexico or caribbean. Both parentsguardians must authorize the issuance of a childs passport. Any us citizen wishing to travel internationally via air must have a passport book.
You may request a larger passport book with 52 pages, at no additional cost, by. All you have to do is mark the passport application to show you are requesting both the passport book and passport card. I need to purchase my passport, but i dont know if i need just the book, or just the card, or both. Applications for a passport or passport card may be submitted at any of 9,300 passport application acceptance facilities, which typically include u. What is the difference between a passport book and. The difference between passport and passport card us. Be sure to answer all questions accurately as any mistakes may result in. Travel articles do you need a passport or a passport card. If you are traveling by air or to most countries, you will need a. To apply directly online, please visit covingtons cibt visas partner portal and automatically get a 20% discount. The form for renewing a passport or passport card is 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. I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time.
Travelbuzz applying for passport card wo giving up 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 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 you are interested in gaining a passport card for travel between the caribbean, canada, mexico and bermuda, then that can be done. You can apply for a card even if you already have a passport. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. 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.
What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. I currently have a passport card that was issued in june 2009. A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land sea. Its easy to get a passport card for your child when you apply for their minor passport book. If you are thinking about applying for or renewing a u. The passport card is smaller when compared to the size of passport book. Your passport cards validity is not linked to the expiration date of your passport book. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air. A passport book is valid for all types of travel land, sea or air to any destination. The us passport card is a small passport card, about the size of a credit card, that contains your photo and identifying information. You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a passport book. Practical travel safety and security issues is it worth it to get a passport card if you are already renewing a passport book. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane.
S citizens that want to travel by land or sea to canada, mexico, and the caribbean. The primary justification i had for doing so was tha. While the passport card is more convenient due to its size, it is far more restricted in use than the passport book. Can only be used in land and sea travels, not by air. The passport card is designed to be a less expensive and more. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. The fee to obtain a passport card and passport book also changes. 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. Is it worth it to get a passport card if you are already. Getting a card only allows you to visit canada and mexico. 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.
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