The passport card is the walletsize travel document that can only be used to reenter the united states at land bordercrossings or sea portsofentry. As such, the passport card is adjudicated to the exact standards as the passport book. A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land sea. Only one execution fee is charged for an individual applying for both a card and book at the same time. Any us citizen wishing to travel internationally via air must have a passport book. Passport cards are particularly useful for some people. The united states passport card is an official identity and. Unfortunately, you cannot upgrade your passport card to a passport book. United states at land bordercrossings or portsofentry by sea from canada. The passport card facilitates entry and expedites document processing at u. Differences between a passport book and passport card. In an effort to improve efficiency at land crossings, the passport card also includes a vicinity read radio. International travel document requirements united airlines.
You must have the original copies of all required documents. Although, keep in mind, while both can be used as forms of id. 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. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their travels abroad. The card comes in very handy because it is much easier to handle. 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. Can you upgrade from a passport card to a passport book. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. You can get a us passport card, whether or not you currently hold a passport book. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card. If you already have a passport book, you might be able to apply for your very first passport card by mail. What do i do if my child is too young to sign his or her passport book.
We are now planning on taking a flight out of the country and i need a passport book. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to barbados. What if i have an emergency and need to get a passport quickly. The united states passport card is an official identity and limited travel document issued by the. I currently have a passport card that was issued in june 2009. If youre seeing this message, that means javascript has been disabled on your browser, please enable js to make this app work. I use my passport for primary id have lost my backup, for which i dont qualify for anymore anyway. Passport books are valid for travel by united states.
Applicants within the united states may choose a 28page or 52page book. Passport cards are valid for land and sea travel to and from canada, mexico and the countries of the caribbean. A passport book is required for all international travel by air. H ave you ever wished your passport could fit inside your wallet. In order to apply for your first passport card, youll need the same documentation you need to apply for a passport book. Is there a way to apply for a card while keeping my passport book. Depending on where you are traveling outside of the u.
The passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. 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. Birth documentation and copies of passport records. Both forms are available for download on the state departments passport website. Passport card can be used to enter the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at land border crossings or sea portsofentry and is. A passport card only applies to land or sea travel to certain locations internationally, which is noted on the back of the card.
The passport card is a fully valid passport that attests to the u. You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a 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 us passport card is a credit cardsized identification document. The walletsized passport card is designed to be more convenient and less cumbersome than regular passports. Passport card can be used to enter the united states from 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 most obvious difference between passport books and passport cards is the design, of course. However, depending on where youre travelling, you might be ok with just the card. April 15, 2020 update because of public health measures to prevent the spread of covid19, effective march 20, we have limited u. Yes, if you have a passport card, you can obtain a passport book. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book.
In order to apply for a passport book by mail, your current passport must meet the following requirements. You cannot use a passport card when traveling by air internationally. It has always been the purpose of the passport not really, imho. Do you need a passport card or passport book to travel by. They can be used for land or sea travel to canada, mexico, bermuda. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. Applicants must provide documents which attest to their u. Can only be used in land and sea travels, not by air.
It was designed for people who travel frequently between the us and canada, mexico, bermuda or the caribbean by land or sea. Travelbuzz applying for passport card wo giving up passport book. Entering the united states at land border crossings and sea portsofentry from. Unless you have a lifeordeath emergency, please consider waiting to apply until we resume normal operations. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air. 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. Passport book the passport book is designed to be used for all types of international travel.
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. Passport card vs passport book carnival cruise lines. A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for 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. More specifically, it can be used when entering the u. Passport card can be used to enter the united states from. A passport card can be used to enter the us states at land border crossing or seaportsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. It is smaller and more convenient to carry than a passport book, and it. You can just slip it in your wallet, right behind your drivers license. Passport card difference between passport book and passport card u. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport. To enter the united states at land border crossings or sea portsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda, you can use a passport book or a passport card. The bearer is a united states national and not a united states citizen.
In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults, and five years for travelers under age 16. The form for renewing a passport or passport card is ds82. Frequently asked questions bureau of consular affairs us. The us passport card allows you to enter the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at sea ports of entry, land border crossings and is more convenient and cheaper than a passport book. Passport card can be used to enter the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at. Passport books and cards are alternatives to a stateissued id. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. Applications for a passport or passport card may be submitted at any of 9,300 passport application acceptance facilities, which typically include u. I know there used to be info on this somewhere, but i cant find it.
Because of public health measures to prevent the spread of covid19, effective march 20, we have limited u. The passport card can be used for entering the united states at land border. Us passport book and passport card online application. Wondering whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time.
Applying for passport card wo giving up passport book. If you already have a passport book or passport card, you can renew by mail using form ds82. 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. 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. A passport card is a smaller version of a passport book and fits inside a wallet.
Passport cards are a form of us passport that are the size of a credit card or drivers license. Getting your us passport as easily and quickly as possible. Passport book booklet style id travel document standard passport book. A passport card is less expensive than a traditional passport book. Learn more on our covid19 update page and our frequently asked questions page. 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.
They have been available to us citizens since 2008, and are meant to be a convenient way to prove your identity and 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. Is a question frequently asked by our readers if you are traveling to mexico, canada, and the caribbean as a u. 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.
I will be needing to get a passport book within the next couple of years so i can travel to barbados. You can use this creditcardsized document to reenter the united states from mexico, canada, bermuda and the caribbean when traveling by land or sea. I bought a passport card a few months ago to go on a cruise. A passport card is the same size as a drivers license, and is official proof of your identity and us citizenship. Otherwise, it carries the rights and privileges of the u. Lets take a look at the simplest and quickest ways to get your hands on a valid passport book or card, and how much you can expect to spend. Can i upgrade from a passport card to a passport book. 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. 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 passport book is accepted for any form of international travel and is also the document that holds your visas.
If im remembering correctly, you can use your passport card when travelling by land or sea. How will my completed passport book andor passport card be sent to me. 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. Passports bureau of consular affairs us department of state. The primary justification i had for doing so was tha. To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to. National instead of usa on the front of the passport card, or an endorsement in the passport book. Passport card the standard passport book covers all the bases. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. Submitted with your ds82 application undamaged other than normal wear and tear. 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.
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