If you are a frequent traveller to canada andor mexico, a passport card might be a handy thing for you to purchase. Applying for passport card wo giving up passport book. Getting a card only allows you to visit canada and mexico. The passport card is a wallet side document that will be used to expedite document processing from the u. Passport cards and passport books are no exception. Read on for the passport requirements for popular destinations. The us passport card is a credit cardsized identification document. 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. I have a us passport card that is good for entry into the usa by land and sea from other north american nations. The passport card is also a valid form of id so it is useful to have it on you at all times when traveling abroad. The primary justification i had for doing so was tha. Wondering whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. When you apply for a new passport, should you get a passport book or passport card. But if you have the money to spare or anticipate traveling more frequently and internationally, a passport book is always the best choice.
A passport book is required for all international travel by air. 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. You are way better of using your credit or debit card on holiday. The difference between passport and passport card us. The passport card allows irish citizens to travel to 31 countries, including european union member states, the european economic area eea countries, and switzerland, without needing to carry their passport book. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. You can apply for a card even if you already have a passport. Nov 20, 2017 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. One instance could be, if you want to travel to jamaica, youll need a passport book. Passport books and cards are alternatives to a stateissued id.
Passport card or book for my kids to go to the bahamas via cruise. Passport card versus passport book a passport card will be cheaper than a regular passport for you to obtain. There is no reason to ever get a passport card, unless you only travel to canada, mexico or caribbean. If you are entering canada by land or sea, you may use a passport card or a passport book. The passport card is designed to be a less expensive and more portable alternative to the passport book. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one.
A passport card can be used to enter the us states at land border crossing or seaportsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. Furthermore, it is unlikely that information about your passport book is encoded in the 2d barcode or the rfid chip on the card. Think about it, some people may have gotten a passport card first. The passport card is good for 10 years, just like a regular passport. Last summer i was in michigan and the opportunity arose to go to canada for the day. Differences between passport book and passport card tweet key difference. Oct 07, 2017 wondering whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. Oct 06, 2012 i know you are not required to renew both, but this wording seems to imply to me that if you possess both the card and the book, when you renew one, you must send the other with it to be renewed or canceled. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. Launching the irish passport card department of foreign. You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a passport book. A passport book can be used for all international travel.
Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card. Travel articles do you need a passport or a passport card. If you are flying to canada, you must have a passport book with one blank page marked visas. Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the u. They have been available to us citizens since 2008, and are meant to be a convenient way to prove your identity and citizenship.
How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. I will renew my passport only have book which is expiring in march, might get the card too. Jun 23, 2009 a real passport book can get you anywhere in the world, while the passport card is limited. Travelbuzz applying for passport card wo giving up passport book. It cannot be used for any international air travel. If you have also lost your passport book, please see our lost passport or stolen passport pages for details on how to replace your passport. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport. Passport card department of foreign affairs and trade. Passport card or book for my kids to go to the bahamas via. Their rates are horrible compared to what you would get from your bank card. A real passport book can get you anywhere in the world, while the passport card is limited. The traditional passport book is still required for most travel purposes. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. If for any reason you decide to travel outside the covered countries, you will still need a regular passport.
The passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. Sep 02, 2010 there is no reason to ever get a passport card, unless you only travel to canada, mexico or caribbean. I am doing my passport information right now and was wondering of the passport card is worth. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. On the form, you indicate that youre applying for a passport card by checking the appropriate. Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages.
Cant see a reason youd need both other than another form of id that fits in your wallet. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. Your us passport must be valid at the time of entry. The passport card is a walletsize card that can only be used for land and sea travel between the united states and canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda. 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. Both forms are available for download on the state departments passport website. What is the difference between a passport book and. What is the difference between a passport book and passport card. Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. A passport book provides valid identification for any national or international travel.
While the passport card is more convenient due to its size, it is far more restricted in use than the passport book. It was designed for people who travel frequently between the us and canada, mexico, bermuda or the caribbean by land or sea. You can also apply for both at the same time if it is your first time to get a passport. Feb 12, 2019 passport book the passport book is designed to be used for all types of international travel. Should i get a passport card to go along with my passport.
Sherry housley and her daughter whitney had planned to to take a motherdaughter vacation by the ocean in cozumel, mexico. If i have both a passport card and a passport book, do i need. In such situations, a passport card comes in handy because it is the size of a credit card and fits nicely in a wallet. The passport card is available to all irish citizens who hold a valid irish passport book. Both documents are valid for 10 years for adults 16 and older, and 5 years for those under the age of 16. You will need to report the loss of your passport card by calling 8774872778 or by filling out the lost passport report form ds64 and mailing it to the address on the form. This is a privately owned website and not a government agency. Aug 18, 2016 one is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. 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 card will provide a less expensive, smaller, and more convenient alternative to the passport book for those who travel frequently to these destinations by land or by sea. Irish citizens can use for certain travel instead of the standard passport book. You can carry your passport card with you at all times and leave the passport book safe in the hotel room locker. 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.
Differences between a passport book and passport card. When i go to europe this summer i will of course have my us passport. If you are traveling by air or to most countries, you will need a. Passport book for reentry into the united states from any country. We are traveling with a 4 and 2yearold on a disney cruise. The passport card contains a radio frequency identification chip as well as the traditional photograph and personal information found in a passport book. Differences between passport book and passport card. Aug 15, 2016 are you now making travel plans for next year. Feb 08, 2020 when i last renewed my passport i decided to pay the extra few bucks for a passport card and im glad i did. 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. Department of state since 2008, and can be used to enter and exit the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and. Also, if you get a passport card separately from your passport, it has a different number and expiration date also costs a bit more. Can only be used in land and sea travels, not by air.
Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. We fly from maryland to florida where we board our ship and sail to the bahamas. The us passport card is a credit card sized identification document. Also you can not use the passport card to fly into the us. Passport requirements for visiting popular countries. Passport card the standard passport book covers all the bases. A passport card be used for land and sea travel between the united states and canada, mexico, and the caribbean region. Passport card information must be entered manually by the cm at checkin. You can use the irish passport card for travel within the european union and the. While you are making the plans, now is a great time to make sure everyone has a.
Learn more about how a passport card differs from a passport book. Passport book the passport book is designed to be used for all types of international travel. 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. If so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. The form for renewing a passport or passport card is ds82. Passport card is a walletsize travel document that can only be used to reenter the united states at land bordercrossings or sea portsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda. If you are traveling by air or to most countries, you will need a traditional passport book, with pages for your various visas. Ds11 only has options under have you ever had either a passport cardbook for no, loststolen, or submitted with application. Passport the application process is the same for either the passport book or card, even if you want both at the same time. Passport card originally posted by sqfreak previously, the governments had mutually agreed that a photo id and a birth certificate were sufficient. Jan 06, 2009 if you applied for a passport card at the same time you applied for your passport book they should expire at the same time.
If you still got any questions about us passport book and card, you can always contact travel visa pro. Passport card cannot be used for flying into these counties or any other countries. It is not good for entry from elsewhere in the world and is not good for entry by plane. It was introduced on july 18th, 2008 and over 7 million passport cards have been issued since then. A passport card is cheaper than a passport book, but cant be used for air travel and is only valid in. I absolutely regret even stepping foot in that foreign travel shop. And, actually, the passport card will slow down your checkin time at the port a little bit, as they currently cannot be scanned into the computer like the passport books are. 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. An adult passport card looks similar to a drivers license, and is valid for ten years. While you are making the plans, now is a great time to make sure everyone has a passport and the. The passport book is accepted for any form of international travel and is also the document that holds your visas. In addition to this, we have passport card, this is a card which is used for only land and sea travel on the listed countries in italic on the card. Of the internal pages, 17 are blank pages marked visas.
This is the base fee and does not include any fees to expedite. I f youve wondered what the difference is between a passport book and a passport card, youve come to the right place. Applications for a passport or passport card may be submitted at any of 9,300 passport application acceptance facilities, which typically include u. A book allows you to travel anywhere else assuming you have all the other documents, visas etc. The other is the passport card, which is just like a drivers license.
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. A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air. Your passport book allows you to travel by land, by sea, or by air. You did not indicate where your cruise is going to so i would check the locations in which the passport card is good for as from what i read they are only good for 34 places. You can find more information in the departments list of faqs and on dfa. Practical travel safety and security issues mi enhanced drivers license vs. Youll use the same form that you would use to apply for a passport bookeither a ds11 or ds82. From what i understand, the pp card is only good on land port of entries between mexico or canada and the us, or on closed loop tours.
We may be compensated if you make a purchase via a link on this site. Passport cards are a form of us passport that are the size of a credit card or drivers license. 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 protect yourself against emergency situations, go with a passport book, which covers all international travel by air, sea or land. S citizens that want to travel by land or sea to canada, mexico, and the caribbean. Vip passports and visa services united states passport agency specializes in american passports, us passports, passport renewals, passport applications, passports forms, birth certificates, notary services, visas, and passports in less than 24 hours. 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. The passport book allows the holder to travel worldwide with proper visa and documentation, while the passport card only allows the holder to travel to and fro neighboring countries such as. The united states passport card is an official identity and limited travel document issued by the. To summarize, the us passport card is handy complement to your passport book. If you invest in the card, instead of the book, be prepared to live with that decision for that period. 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.
Department of state of the views or products contained therein. Passport card vs passport book sep 16 cruise forum. The passport book is accepted for any form of international travel and is also the document that holds your. I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. One is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. Many foreign countries require nothing more for entry than a u. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. If you want to waste your money by paying thieves go ahead and get this card. Us passport book and passport card online application.
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. Any us citizen wishing to travel internationally via air must have a passport book. The us passport card is a small passport card, about the size of a credit card, that contains your photo and identifying information. In october 2015, ireland became one of the first countries in the world to launch a passport card. I use my passport for primary id have lost my backup, for which i dont qualify for anymore anyway. You can use it, while traveling through land, water or air transport. Oct 26, 2017 what is the differences between a passport book vs card with additional information and requirement for getting both a card and book. What you need to know about passport cards fastport passport. However, people find a passport card more convenient and accessible when carrying. The passport card is cheaper to obtain than the passport book. Your personal details must be an exact match of the. What is the differences between passport book vs passport card.
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