Mar 05, 2018 minors 16 and 17 years of age do require a passport book or passport card, unless they are traveling by land or sea with a recognized group or organization. If you want to renew both a valid passport book and passport card, you must submit both documents. Jun 03, 2014 it is a credit card sized, laminated document that is less expensive than the passport book, and discounted further if the traveler also holds a valid passport book, but it is not necessary to have a passport book to get the passport card. Jun 02, 2018 from an american perspective, passport cards are fairly unique. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. 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. 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. If not you should carry your passport book around, but that would be very stressful. The passport book is the traditional multipage document that border agents stamp as you travel through. Passport cards cannot be used for international air travel. Cancun passport requirements vary depending on how you enter mexico. 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.
What is the difference between a passport book and passport card. What is the difference between a passport book and. Sometimes it makes life more convenient to have both a passport book and a card, and carry them both on your international travel. Travel articles do you need a passport or a passport card. Currently takes 6 weeks regular processing or 3 expedited. The passport publication has lots of pages for arrivaldeparture stamps and visas, while the passport card is a id card. The primary justification i had for doing so was tha. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. If so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. They are valid for five years from the date of issue, just like a minor passport book.
You can use this credit card sized document to reenter the united states from mexico, canada, bermuda and the caribbean when traveling by land or sea. Because of public health measures to prevent the spread of covid19. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. For example, if you can submit a passport book, but you lost your passport card, you cannot renew the passport card. Passport book vs passport card for kids the dis disney. If you are applying for a passport, youll need to consider whether to get a passport book or a passport card. A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air.
Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. Does a passport card work to go to canada by train. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane.
No one expects an emergency, and whether you plan or not plan to travel. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. If you already hold a passport book, your card will. The passport card will match the expiry date of your passport book, if you have less than 5 years validity remaining.
A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. The first step in obtaining a passport card is downloading and filling out the ds11 form. The card is for people who frequently drive across the border but dont intend to fly. You can get both, but you can just choose one, depending on what kind of travel you are planning to do. Here are more details about how to apply for a passport card. First of all, the passport book contains many pages designated for visa stickers and stamps, while the passport card, on the other hand, is a credit card like id. Visa, mastercard, diners club international and american express cards are accepted. If you already hold a passport book, your card will be issued with a different number.
Passport cards, like passport books, are valid for 10 years from the date of issue or 5 years, for children age 15 and younger. Along with allowing for international travel, passports can be used to prove your identity and citizenship, especially when you need multiple forms of identification. The passport book is the most common passport to carry. The new passport form gives you the option to get a passport card. What is a passport card, and what should you know when youre considering a passport book vs. If you have a passport card, you can also use it to drive across the canadian border and to. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their. That said, passport cards are very useful forms of identification. A passport card is a portable pocket sized card similar to a credit card that fits in your wallet. Difference between passport book and passbook card. 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.
Conveniently, both the passport book and the passport card have the same renewal period. First of all, the passport book contains many pages designated for visa stickers and stamps, while the passport card, on the other hand, is a credit cardlike id. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card. It is a credit cardsized, laminated document that is less expensive than the passport book, and discounted further if the traveler also holds a valid passport book, but it is not necessary to have a passport book to get the passport card. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. Citizens of some countries, like those based in the european economic area, dont need a full passport book when traveling across borders, but instead carry a national identity 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. If you are thinking about applying for or renewing a u. When you apply for a passport card, youll spend less money than you would when. Passport if you are thinking about applying for or renewing a 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. Minor children will need to have their passports renewed every 5 years until they reach 16 years of age.
Department of state has a simpletoread list of facts. If theres the slightest possibility that youre going to travel by air in the next 10 years, it would be better if you simply obtain the passport book. If you are applying for both a book and a card at the same time, you only need to submit one passport photo. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. The rear of the card features a bar code and other information that a computer can read. A us passport card can only be used for land and sea travel to canada, mexico or the caribbean. 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. Not only do they look different, they serve slightly different purposes. Department of state passport services recently began issuing the passport card as an alternative to the traditional passport book.
How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. Save yourself hassle with expedited passport services if you dont have the time or patience for applying for your u. Feb 21, 2020 cancun passport requirements vary depending on how you enter mexico. Minors 16 and 17 years of age do require a passport book or passport card, unless they are traveling by land or sea with a recognized group or organization. Passport the application process is the same for either the passport book or card, even if you want both at the same time. 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. The passport book is accepted for any form of international travel and is also the document that holds your visas. Do i need a passport book, passport card, or passport book.
You will need to fill in an official form and present identification and proof of citizenship. A passport card is cheaper than a passport book, but cant be used for air travel and is only valid in canada, mexico, bermuda, and the caribbean. Closedloop cruises are the primary exceptions to the rule that those arriving in the u. An adult passport card looks similar to a drivers license, and is valid for ten years. Difference between a passport book and passport card. If you miss your ship or have an emergency and need to fly home, the card will do you no good. Can i upgrade from a passport card to a passport book.
Both passport books and cards are valid for 10 years, so if it fits your travel plans, the passport card can be a cheaper alternative. Which one you must get completely depends on how you are going to travel and how much you are willing to pay for this travel document. The passport card is also commonly used for travelers that wish to take a cruise but do not plan on ever traveling by plane. I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time. A passport book is always required to travel internationally. 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. You should always wear identification, so i would suggest bringing your passport its a must and carry you card in your pocket. State department issues two versions of a passport. No, you must simply apply for the passport book now. You may have heard about passport cards, which are smaller, less expensive, and may seem more convenient than the standard passport book. Nov 04, 2014 conveniently, both the passport book and the passport card have the same renewal period. The passport book is a real passport, and allows you to fly internationally.
The front of the card features your photo, name, nationality and details such as your date of birth, city of birth and the issue date and expiration date of the card. Oct 05, 2018 if so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport. The passport card is only valid for entry into the united states at land border crossings or sea ports of entry. The only exception is that you may use a passport card in order to enter the united states by a land border crossing or at a sea portofentry. The purpose of the passport book is to allow entry and exit to any country in the world. Any time you board an international flight, you will need a valid us passport book.
It is smaller and more convenient to carry than a passport book, and it is less expensive to obtain. It contains several pages like the passport details page which provides the holders name,date of birth, passport expiry date etc as well as other blank pages for visa and immigration stamping a passport card is a portable pocket sized card similar to a credit card that fits in your wallet. Jan 11, 2019 the passport card is also commonly used for travelers that wish to take a cruise but do not plan on ever traveling by plane. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. In a short period of time, passport services received over 350,000 applications for the passport card. Passport card department of foreign affairs and trade. Adults will need to have their passport renewed every 10 years. If you dont want to spend the money for the full passport i would save what. In this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. Aug 10, 2012 a passport book is bigger than a passport card. However, before you apply for a new passport card, consider carefully whether or not you might be better off getting a us passport book. 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.
Thus, practically speaking, you need either a passport card or. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. Differences between a passport book and passport card. The application process for a passport card is very similar to applying for a passport. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. While you do not technically need a passport to go to the bahamas, you do need one for reentry into the united states. 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. It can also be used for domestic air travel in the usa. How to apply for a new passport card rush my passport. 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. Fill out the application using a black ink pen or use the state department online tool to fill out the application, and select passport card.