Should americans have both a passport book and a passport. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time. With a passport id card, you can travel to certain countries using specific forms of transportation. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book.
How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. Which one you must get completely depends on how you are going to travel and how much you. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is. 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.
You cannot use a passport card when traveling by air internationally. The fee to obtain a passport card and passport book also changes. 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. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults, and five years for travelers under age 16. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. They have been available to us citizens since 2008, and are meant to be a convenient way to prove your identity and citizenship. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. The card is for people who frequently drive across the border but dont intend to fly. 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. 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. For domestic travel, the passport card is easier to carry because its walletsized. Nov 20, 2017 a passport card allows significantly fewer opportunities for the holder to travel, but often its enough for some. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their. Service commitment our expedited service commitment is to process your passport application within 8 business days from the date we receive your application at a passport agency or.
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. Do you need a passport book, a passport card, or an enhanced drivers license. The difference between passport and passport card us. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a. 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. Oct 05, 2018 if so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. Applying regular or expediting the passport card is very simple if you follow the instructions below.
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. Regardless, the passport card that is issued in the united states still has select uses under select circumstances. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. You must have the original copies of all required documents. Difference between passport book and passport card. The passport card is smaller when compared to the size of passport book. If you have a us passport book, there really is no need to get the passport card.
However, the passport book is valid for all forms of travel. Apply for a passport card united states department of state. The passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. The us passport card can be useful in a number of situations.
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. 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. Travel articles do you need a passport or a passport card. Differences between a passport book and passport card. In general, everyone must have a passport book or a regular passport to travel from one country to another. The passport card is good only for land and sea travel from border crossings and sea portsofentry into the united states from mexico, canada bermuda and the caribbean.
The passport card contains a radio frequency identification chip as well as the traditional photograph and personal information found in a passport book. The passport book is accepted for any form of international travel and is also the document that holds your visas. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. T here are a variety of united states passport books that are issued to travelers for specific reasons. A visa and a passport are two important documents needed for travel. To get a passport more quickly, you need to make an appointment at a regional agency. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. Oct 07, 2017 whether you get the passport book card both are valid for 10 years. Whats the difference between 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. For most forms of international travel which you might wish to do in the future, a passport book is required.
The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. If you miss your ship or have an emergency and need to fly home, the card will do you no good. A passport card allows significantly fewer opportunities for the holder to travel, but often its enough for some. The passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us.
Passport cards are a form of us passport that are the size of a credit card or drivers license. The walletsized passport card is designed to be more convenient and less cumbersome than regular passports. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. However, if youre considering a passport book vs passport card, just get both. It was designed for people who travel frequently between the u. Passport book is valid for international travel by air, sea, or land.
Passport card is also valid for international travel but by land or sea only. The passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship. The federal government offers passport books for all types of travel. If issued for the full validity, they are both proof of your u. An adult passport card looks similar to a drivers license, and is valid for ten years. Service commitment our expedited service commitment is to process your passport application within 8 business days from the date we receive your application at a passport agency or center or from the date you request expedited service. Us passport book vs us passport card us visa connection. Us passports vs enhanced drivers licenses rush my passport. First of all, a passport card can be used for travel by sea to barbados. However, each of these items comes with certain restrictions regarding when you can use them. 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. Both of these documents give you the ability to travel outside of the country. Since you are going to japan, you need to apply for a passport book, thus not necessary to get a card too.
The length of validity is the same for both documents, five years. Whether you get the passport bookcard both are valid for 10 years. That being said, i recently got one simply because it is convenient to use in situations where the passport book is not needed namely, everywhere besides nonneighboring national borders. 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.
The us passport book vs passport card salon prive mag. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. Both the passport book and passport card serve as proof of your u. The us passport card is a credit cardsized identification document. That being said, i recently got one simply because it is convenient to use in. Since a passport book comes with multiple pages, the cost is more than a passport card. Of the internal pages, 17 are blank pages marked visas that are meant for travel visas and country entry and exit stamps. If you need to travel internationally, you must have a passport book.
But you can also get a passport card if you are a frequent traveler by land or sea to canada, mexico, or the caribbean. The passport book is a real passport, and allows you to fly internationally. From passport cards to global entry, which trustedtraveler. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. Passport card is wallet sized document while passport book size is 5. 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. If you do not have a valid passport, you will need to apply for your new passport card with the government in person and you will need to file form ds11. If your travel plans take you to a country bordering the u. Us passport card a passport card is the size of a drivers license and can be used only for travel by land or sea to canada. A passport card can be used to enter the us states at land border crossing or seaportsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. Both fees are collected and retained by law even if a passport is not issued.
As passport books allows more activities as compare to passport card so they tend to cost more as well. Carry both the card and the passport book in case of an emergency and you need to fly home. Passport books are the ultimate travel document for visiting any foreign countries, american citizens can use this to travel everywhere outside of the us. You can just slip it in your wallet, right behind your drivers license. If you plan on leaving the country and do not want to purchase a full passport book, the card is an option you may want to consider. First you will need to gather the required documents for a passport card. The first us passport card was issued on july 14, 2008. Our guide to us passport books will teach you about the different types of passport books so you will understand which one you need and why. 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.
Unless you use the mobile passport app, youll have to. Mar 18, 2020 the passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. Types of us passport books get your passport book today. Sometimes it makes life more convenient to have both a passport book and a card, and carry them both on your international travel. But, while a passport is absolutely necessary to go abroad, a visa is only required depending on the destination. 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. Enhanced drivers license many people may not know but depending on the. If so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. Check out the differences between the two types of passport using the. The passport card is a cheaper alternative to the passport book.
A passport card is cheaper than a passport book, but cant be used for air. 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. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land sea. If you want to apply for a passport card and currently have a valid traditional passport, you can simply download and file form ds82. The most obvious difference between passport books and passport cards is the design, of course. If you are traveling by air or to most countries, you will need a traditional passport book, with pages for your various visas.
State department issues two versions of a passport. The us passport book vs passport card debate has many of us. Living abroad, i keep my passport book tucked away in a safe location for when i need to travel internationally. The us passport card is an important travel document. 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. In short, a person with a passport card can use it to travel to either canada, mexico, bermuda, or the caribbean so long as they are taking either a land route or a sea route. The traditional passport book is still required for most travel purposes. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is not requried that you obtain both.
All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and. The passport card was created when it became necessary to use a passport for travel to and from us border communities. While the passport card is more convenient due to its size, it is far more restricted in use than the passport book. You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a passport book. Difference between passport book and passport card compare. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card. The passport book vs card question is one you may have if you are a firsttime international traveler. Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages. Green card vs citizenship become a citizen or keep green card. Us passport book and passport card online application.
Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. 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. Oct 16, 2017 the passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. The difference between a passport book or card getaway usa. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. A passport book is valid for all types of travel land, sea or air to any destination. The purpose of the passport card is for travelers that are going to canada, mexico, or the caribbean by land or by sea. Enhanced drivers license many people may not know but depending on the state that you live in a third option is available to you.
1028 904 1484 1019 1362 549 923 1378 1031 729 606 203 1098 356 877 101 1335 380 1041 266 1433 1357 406 1388 697 190 1094 846 1522 341 1196 1441 134 719 779 1016 974 572 1317 322