It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. If any of the following apply to you, you may want to obtain a passport card. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card. No one expects an emergency, and whether you plan or not plan to travel by air, you will require a us passport book.
Aug 10, 2012 a passport book is bigger than a passport card. What is the difference between a passport book and passport card. It is primarily used for travel to mexico, canada, the caribbean and bermuda since 911 and also for cruises, or to use as a form of proof of identity. Us passport book and passport card online application.
Ed perkins a nationally recognized reporter, writer, and consumer advocate, ed perkins focuses on how travelers can find the best deals and avoid. I know there used to be info on this somewhere, but i cant find it. A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land sea. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their travels abroad. In order to apply for a passport book by mail, your current passport must meet the following requirements. Start today by applying for or renewing your passport. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. Department of state has a simpletoread list of facts. The passport book is valid for all international travel.
I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time. I have a passport card, but also need a passport book for overseas travel. Should i get a passport card to go along with my passport. 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. A passport card is a smaller version of a passport book and fits inside a wallet. If you do not wish to use a third party, visit the u. A passport book is required for all international travel by air. 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. State department can expedite your passport approval process. To enter the united states at land border crossings or sea portsofentry from canada, mexico, the. If you are applying for a passport, youll need to consider whether to get a passport book or a passport card. So, what details must i be aware of to travel to mexico. The passport card is available to all irish citizens who hold a valid irish passport book.
I will be needing to get a passport book within the next couple of years so i can travel to barbados. You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a 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. 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.
These rules do not apply to cruises roundtrip from san juan, puerto rico, as the. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. Passport cards are particularly useful for some people. If you are applying for both a book and a card at the same time, you only need to submit one passport photo. Adults who already have a fully valid passport book may apply for the card as a passport renewal. 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.
If you already hold a passport book, your card will be issued with a different number. Applicants wont need an appointment at a regional passport agency, so you can save time by avoiding the long lines of people all trying to get a passport on time. Well help you determine whether you want or need to pay extra for the passport card. Aug 18, 2016 the passport book allows for all travel, by air, land, and sea and youll need the passport book in order to receive a travel visa. If you have a valid passport book, you do not have to get a passport card as well. Ed perkins a nationally recognized reporter, writer, and consumer advocate, ed perkins focuses on. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. 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. Apr 21, 2016 a passport card only applies to land or sea travel to certain locations internationally, which is noted on the back of the card. Oct 30, 2017 hopefully, as she recovers, she will be able to travel to mexico. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. Yes, if you have a passport card, you can obtain a passport book. Since john will be driving between buffalo, new york and toronto, canada at least once each quarter, he can use the passport card, but if he drives one way from buffalo to toronto and flies home, hell need a passport book for the flight.
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. 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. They are valid for five years from the date of issue, just like a minor passport book. If you are traveling on to europe, youll need a passport with at least three months of remaining validity from. 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. Can you upgrade from a passport card to a passport book. You will need to fill in an official form and present identification and proof of citizenship. Passport card uses a different passport number, and a rfid chip with your biometric data, but cannot by itself be used to fly intoout of the usa.
Passport card department of foreign affairs and trade. If you already have a passport book, you might be able to apply for your very first passport card by mail. The application process for a passport card is very similar to applying for a passport. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. Your personal details must be an exact match of the details that appear in your passport book. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. The passport card is a wallet side document that will be used to expedite document processing from the u. When you apply for a passport card, youll spend less money than you would when.
Travel to mexico do i need a passport for travel to mexico. 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. Travelbuzz applying for passport card wo giving up passport book. 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. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. More specifically, it can be used when entering the u. Consider using a passport card for your next border crossing by land or by sea. My passport was issued to me when i was 17 years old and now 10 years later i believe i am eligible to renew it. Passport book vs passport card for kids the dis disney. However, if you get a passport card, it cannot be used for travel by air. Updated april 3, 2020 because of public health measures to prevent the spread of covid19, effective march 20, 2020, we are only able to offer inperson service at passport agencies or centers for customers with a qualified life or death emergency and who need a passport for immediate international travel within 72 hours. But using our service, we can get your passport processed as quickly as 24 hours. It can be used for travel to 31 countries in the european union eu and european economic area eea plus switzerland.
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. A general expedited passport can currently make its way to your doorstep in two to. The passport book only covers land border crossings or seaport entry. So if someone gets sick on a cruise and only has the passport card, they cant. I use my passport for primary id have lost my backup, for which i dont qualify for anymore anyway. If you still got any questions about whether you need a passport book or card, please contact travel visa pro. Depending on where you are traveling outside of the u.
A passport card can be used to enter the us states at land border crossing or seaportsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. The passport card is only valid for entry into the united states at land border crossings or sea ports of entry. Do you know the difference between a passport and a 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. To enter canada, your passport book or card must be valid at the time of entry.
Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. Travel articles do you need a passport or a passport card. Jun 02, 2018 whether you need a passport book or card for your travels, come on down to the nearest travel visa pro to discuss your options. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. Oct 16, 2017 the passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. Applying for passport card wo giving up passport book. Sometimes it makes life more convenient to have both a passport book and a card, and carry them both on your international travel. Passport cards are valid for land and sea travel to and from canada, mexico and the countries of the caribbean. An adult passport card looks similar to a drivers license, and is valid for ten years. In order to travel to mexico, there are certain guidelines everyone must follow when applying for a u. Sep 02, 2010 there is no reason to ever get a passport card, unless you only travel to canada, mexico or caribbean. Oct 07, 2017 if for some reason while your on a cruise and you need to disembark unexpectedly and need to fly home from a foreign port only having a u. Will i have to apply for the book as a first time applicant.
I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to barbados. The passport card is designed to be a less expensive and more portable alternative to the passport book. Routine passport processing can take 6 weeks or longer. Aug 10, 2012 in order to apply for your first passport card, youll need the same documentation you need to apply for a passport book. I currently have a passport card that was issued in june 2009. Aug 09, 2016 introduced in 2008, the passport card is a relatively inexpensive personal identification card that can be used in place of a passport book or drivers license at land and sea entry points to. I have a passport card, but also need a passport book for overseas. Differences between a passport book and passport card. Although cruise passport requirements vary depending on where youll be sailing, you will usually need either a passport card or a passport book. Here are more details about how to apply for a passport card. If your travel plans take you to a country bordering the u. However, if youre going on a caribbean cruise departing from the u. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. Anyone who will travel internationally by air must have a passport book.
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