Were currently living in a time of political uncertainty and if youre anything like us, you too are probably sick to the back teeth of hearing. A passport card can be used to enter the us states at land border crossing or seaportsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. If you make infrequent trips between the us and canada andor mexico by land and are not a frequent cruise passenger to the caribbean and you live in a state that provides a real id compliant drivers license yet you travel internationally by plane, it would make sense to get a passport book and not pay the extra money for a passport card. The passport card is a very handy tool to have in your vital document wallet. The passport book is your typical passport, a bound, paged booklet that is issued by the us department of state verifying your identity and nationality, usually for the purpose of traveling internationally. Besides passports, limited use passport cards and are issued by the same organization subject to the same requirements.
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. The card cannot be used for international air travel. Previously issued passport book or passport card official military identification card a photocopy of the valid form of identification id, showing the front and back of the id and provided on plain white 8 12 x 11 paper must be sent in with the passport applications. Applicants must provide documents which attest to their u. Processing time of passport book and passport card passport book. Us passport book and passport card online application. Passport book is a globally recognized travel document while passport card is not a globally recognized document. Otherwise, it carries the rights and privileges of the u.
Start today by applying for or renewing your passport. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. Passport is a document providing national identity and identification of an individual. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. It will otherwise carry the rights and privileges of the u. No additional fees delivery by usps priority mail for new passport book. It is intended to be used in place of the standard u. To protect yourself against emergency situations, go with a passport book, which covers all international travel by air, sea or land. Difference between passport book and passport card. You can apply by mail using form ds82 if you have a passport book or card that. Passport cards, like passport books, are valid for 10 years from the date of issue or 5 years, for children age 15 and younger.
The card cant be used for international air travel. The passport card is about the size of any credit card, and fits easily into your wallet for frequent travel. We are an independent entity providing assistance to obtain passports. The us passport book vs passport card debate has many of us confused as to which one we should apply for. We take a closer look to help you understand which one to apply for in which situation. You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a passport book. 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. The card may not be used to travel by air outside the united states. 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. However, it doesnt always make sense to have only the passport card. The passport card is a fully valid passport that attests to the u. Apply for a passport card bureau of consular affairs us.
What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. The difference between passport and passport card us. A passport card is less expensive than a traditional passport book. Entering the united states at land border crossings and sea portsofentry from. You can use form ds82 to renew your passport book at the same time that your apply for your passport card. The us passport card is less expensive to get then passport book, and is much smaller. The passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. To be considered as an adult you must be 16 or older, and to be. If you already hold a passport book, your card will be issued with a different number. Our website will assist you in filling in your application and we also offer a live chat free service, should you have any queries or need any online help. Any us citizen wishing to travel internationally via air must have a passport book.
It can also be used for domestic air travel in the usa. The passport card will facilitate entry and expedite document processing at u. We are a privately owned website that is not affiliated with, owned or operated by the us government. 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. Passport book is widely used for international travel while passport card is used for united states citizens who live in border territories in the us.
The passport card is valid for up to 10 years if you are an adult, and allows you virtually unlimited travel to the caribbean, bermuda, mexico, and. 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. The adult and minor passport card fees are about the same. 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 department of foreign affairs and trade. 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. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a. Us passport book and passport card online application assistance service terms of business. Weigh the cost of a passport versus a passport card. Passport card difference between passport book and passport card u. Infact for traveling abroad, one needs a passport for sure. There are different passport card fees depending on if you are an adult or a minor. You can apply for a us passport card by mail if you already have a us passport book and eligible to use form ds82. Your personal details must be an exact match of the details that appear in your passport book.
The us passport book vs passport card salon prive mag. The united states passport card is an official identity and limited travel document issued by the. Otherwise if you never had a us passport book and you are not able to use form ds82 you then must apply in person with form ds11. All passport cards will be returned using first class. A passport book is required for all international travel by air. It can be used for travel to 31 countries in the european union eu and european economic area eea plus switzerland. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u.
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. They can be used for land or sea travel to canada, mexico, bermuda. How to apply for a new passport card rush my passport. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. I have a us passport book, and i would like to apply for a us passport card to have in addition to my passport book. In conclusion, the passport book versus passport card is important to know. Passport books and cards are alternatives to a stateissued id. If i apply using form ds82, submitting my current passport book as proof of citizenship, does it get returned to me still valid, or does it get cancelled. 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. Passport card can be used to enter the united states from canada, mexico. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card.
Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults, and five years for travelers under age 16. Passports bureau of consular affairs us department of state. A us passport card can only be used for land and sea travel to canada, mexico or the caribbean. The passport card has one fee for us citizens when you apply for the first time, and another fee when you already have a passport. The processing time of the passport book will be within 4 to 6 weeks. Many people do not know but power of passports vary from one country to another. However, before you apply for a new passport card, consider carefully whether or not you might be better off getting a us passport book. People, who are living us border communities, can make use of the passport card. The passport card is intended as a more portable, less expensive alternative to the standard passport book, primarily for u. Any time you board an international flight, you will need a valid us passport book. No passport or passport card is required to travel to overseas u. They have been available to us citizens since 2008, and are meant to be a convenient way to prove your identity and citizenship.
The passport card is available to all irish citizens who hold a valid irish passport book. Here are the countries and territories where a us passport card is valid. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. The passport card facilitates entry and expedites document processing at u. 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.
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