Aug 22, 2016 passport card is a walletsize travel document that can be used for land or sea travel to canada, mexico, bermuda, and the caribbean whereas a passport book can be used for international travel to all destinations by air, land, or sea. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. While an enhanced drivers license does prove citizenship, the passport card is better because its more authoritative. Since we all know how to acquire passport booklets, lets learn how to get hold of a passport card. Additionally, the passport card is a lot more economical than a traditional passport. 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, but doesnt really matter as it is irrelevant to my question. The card is billed as a cheaper, smaller and more convenient alternative to carrying a passport when traveling to these destinations by land or sea. What is the differences between passport book vs passport card. What is the difference between a passport and a passport. Aug 10, 2012 passport cards and passport books are no exception.
What is the difference between a passport book and passport card. Travel articles do you need a passport or a passport card. Apr 12, 2014 in july of 2008, due to requests from residents along us borders for a more portable and easier application process than a regular passport, the united states department of state began issuing passport cards, a wallet sized identity card usable for international travel by land and sea, valid only for travel to canada, mexico, the. Applications for a passport or passport card may be submitted at any of 9,300 passport application acceptance facilities, which typically include u. What is the differences between passport book vs passport. An adult passport card looks similar to a drivers license, and is valid for ten years. Unless you have a lifeordeath emergency, you should wait to apply for or renew your passport until we resume normal operations. Whether you get the passport bookcard both are valid for 10 years. Oct 16, 2017 the passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. Both forms are available for download on the state departments passport website. You can apply by mail using form ds82 if you have a passport book or card that. Both documents are valid for 10 years for adults 16 and older, and 5 years for those under the age of 16.
Learn more about how a passport card differs from a passport book. There is no reason to ever get a passport card, unless you only travel to canada, mexico or caribbean. 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. What is the difference between a passport book and a. 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. State department offers an alternative to using a passport to travel between the u. Difference between passport book and passport card. Oct 11, 2016 sound hi guys i have your two new external hard drives from wd. Jun 23, 2009 the walletsize passport card is convenient and less expensive than the passport book. 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.
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. However, the passport book is valid for all forms of travel. What is the difference between a passport card number and. Oct 07, 2017 whether you get the passport book card both are valid for 10 years. It was introduced on july 18th, 2008 and over 7 million passport cards have been issued since then. Effective march 24, 2020, the issuance of passport books and cards has been suspended until further notice. The passport card is designed to be a less expensive and more. Aug 18, 2016 one is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. If you apply for a passport card it will be issued valid for 10 years regardless of the expiration date of your passport book. The good news is a passport card is generally valid for the same time and has the same application process as a 26 or 52page passport book.
First of all, a passport card can be used for travel by sea to barbados. Passport cards last as long as regular passport books. A passport book is valid for any international travel by air, sea or land. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. 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. The other is the passport card, which is just like a drivers license. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. The difference between passport and passport card us. 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. 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 is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors under 16. Your passport book allows you to travel by land, by sea, or by air. I bet they will tell me to get the book but i think i will ask anyhow. The state departments website offers complete details and an online application form.
Passport books can be accepted in any country unless theyve barred us citizens from entry, like north korea, and are valid for visa applications, while a passport card can only be used to enter countries by land or sea. Passport book is used for travel by any means air, land. On the top of the ds82 application for passport renewal, you can select both. To protect yourself against emergency situations, go with a passport book, which covers all international travel by air, sea or land.
You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a passport book. Can be used for international travel via land, sea, or air. Passport book vs passport card for kids the dis disney. The us passport card does not contain any travel history and therefore officers should request a us passport book unless they are otherwise satisfied that the applicant continues to satisfy the residence requirement. 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. The form for renewing a passport or passport card is ds82. A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land sea. Should i get a passport card to go along with my passport. Passport books are too fragile, and birth certificates lack photos or expiration dates. The passport card contains the same information as a passport book, with a. Passport book vs passport card difference between passport book and passport card can be a new subject to you if you are not a citizen of the united states of america. Apr 06, 2016 all you have to do is mark the passport application to show you are requesting both the passport book and passport card. Fees vary based on age, the speed of service you request and whether you already have a passport.
Passport card department of foreign affairs and trade. Difference between passport book and passport card compare. Learn more on our covid19 update page and our frequently asked questions page. How do i renew my passport book andor passport card. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. Us passport card versus passport book vip passports.
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. Do i need a passport book, passport card, or passport book. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. Visa, mastercard, diners club international and american express cards are accepted. The walletsize passport card is convenient and less expensive than the passport book. Passport books and cards are alternatives to a stateissued id. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. Adult passport cards remain valid for 10 years and cards issued to children under 16 years of age for five years. Oct 19, 2016 if you purchase the wrong one, then you will be forced to pay even more monies for the correct passport and most likely incur huge expediting fees too. The most obvious difference between passport books and passport cards is the design, of course. The card has the same period of validity as a passport book. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. Enhanced drivers license many people may not know but depending on the state that you live in a third option is available to you.
If you are traveling by air or to most countries, you will need a traditional passport book, with pages for your various visas. Jan 06, 2009 if you apply for a passport card it will be issued valid for 10 years regardless of the expiration date of your passport book. If youve had a passport in the past one that was issued to you in the last 15 years and you meet a few other criteria, you can apply for your passport card by mail, using form ds82. 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. You can also apply for both a passport card and book if you need both.
The walletsized passport card is designed to be more convenient and less cumbersome than regular passports. As you can see they look like different versions of the same device and indeed they are very similar. Along with allowing for international travel, passports can be used to prove your identity and citizenship, especially when you need multiple forms of identification. You can just slip it in your wallet, right behind your drivers license. A passport card is valid for travel to and from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda at land border crossings and sea portsofentry. Because of public health measures to prevent the spread of covid19, effective march 20, we have limited u. Valid for all forms of travel by land, sea, and air. Valid for 10 years for an adult and 5 years for a minor. The passport card will match the expiry date of your passport book, if you have less than 5 years validity remaining.
Both the passport book and passport card serve as proof of your u. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. Us passport books and us passport cards the differences. The passport card or formally known as the people access security service card pass is small in size compared to a passport. Only one execution fee is charged for an individual applying for both a card and book at the same time. Minor children cannot renew by mail, but must apply in person.
The passport card is a cheaper alternative to the passport book. The united states passport card is an official identity and limited travel document issued by the. Passport book and passport card are two terms that are often used these days by many citizens of the united states who are applying for a passport for the first time. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. Passport card cannot be used for international air travel. Whether or not you hold a passport book in addition to the card. The traditional passport book is still required for most travel purposes. The us passport card is a small passport card, about the size of a credit card, that contains your photo and identifying information. The passport card is not valid for international air travel.
If you already only have the passport book, you can get the passport card as well when you apply for your next passport renewal. The difference between the numbers is two digits and the letter c. In july of 2008, due to requests from residents along us borders for a more portable and easier application process than a regular passport, the united states department of state began issuing passport cards, a wallet sized identity card usable for international travel by land and sea, valid only for travel to canada, mexico, the. The passport card is designed to be a less expensive and more portable alternative to the passport book. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. Passport card vs passport book americas central america. If you purchase the wrong one, then you will be forced to pay even more monies for the correct passport and most likely incur huge expediting fees too. Nov 20, 2017 a passport card allows significantly fewer opportunities for the holder to travel, but often its enough for some. One is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. This new travel document can be used to enter the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at land border crossings or sea portsofentry. Many travelers will still want to apply for a full passport, however. The passport card is a wallet side document that will be used to expedite document processing from the u. What is the difference between a passport and a passport card. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel.
See below the differences between a passport book vs. Be aware of the fact that a passport card is only valid for land and sea travel to canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. 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. Validity of a passport book is 10 years for adults, 5 years for minors under age 16 the size of a passport book is approximately 5 x 3. Passport card vs passport book canada immigration forum. Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. 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.
Its issued by the federal government, which is the only entity that can determine citizenship. They are valid for five years from the date of issue, just like a minor passport book. S citizens that want to travel by land or sea to canada, mexico, and the caribbean. Differences between a passport book and passport card. The difference between a passport book and passport card.
Sound hi guys i have your two new external hard drives from wd. Passport card is a walletsize travel document that can be used for land or sea travel to canada, mexico, bermuda, and the caribbean whereas a passport book can be used for international travel to all destinations by air, land, or sea. Us passport book vs us passport card us visa connection. What is the difference between a passport book and a passport.
Passport book for reentry into the united states from any country. Any us citizen wishing to travel internationally via air must have a passport book. Well help you determine whether you want or need to pay extra for the passport card. All you have to do is mark the passport application to show you are requesting both the passport book and passport card. Can only be used in land and sea travels, not by air.
How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. However, if you get a passport card, it cannot be used for travel by air. Difference between passport book and passport card can be a new subject to you if you are not a citizen of the united states of america.
Find uses and advantages of a passport book and a passport card and figure out which one is best for you, or if you should have both documents. The difference between a passport book or card getaway usa. A passport book provides valid identification for any national or international travel. 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. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card.
Each minor child applying for a passport must appear in person. What is the difference between a passport card number and a. What is the difference between a passport book and. Difference between a passport book and passport card. But later it does talk about needed it to gain citizenship. 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.
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