The processing times below apply to all passport services. A passport card is a document you would use to travel by land or sea. If you have a passport card, you can also use it to drive across the canadian border and to. There is one thing i can tell you about both documents. Should i get a passport card to go along with my passport. All you have to do is mark the passport application to show you are requesting both the passport book and passport card. If you are applying for a passport, youll need to consider whether to get a passport book or a passport card. Since the passport card is apparently worthless, it is better to leave that than your actual passport. If you have a valid passport book, you do not have to get a passport card as well. The application process is the same for either the passport book or card, even if you want both at the same time.
How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. This is the base fee and does not include any fees to expedite. If an applicant needs to obtain a passport, card as a travel document this quickly but is unable to appear at a regional agency, they can authorize a registered expediter such as fastport passport to submit the application. However, before you apply for a new passport card, consider carefully whether or not you might be better off getting a us passport book. I am in a debate with myself whether to get a passport book or a passport card. A passport book is valid for all types of travel land, sea or air to any destination. Sep 30, 2019 for security purposes, the card contains a radio frequency identification chip rfid. It was designed for people who travel frequently between the u. Yes, passport cards can be renewed just like passport books. The passport card contains a radio frequency identification chip as well as the traditional photograph and personal information found in a passport book. Passport book vs passport card for kids the dis disney. In this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. Passport cards cannot be used for international air travel, even within the 19 mostly caribbean countries that accept the cards at land or sea ports.
How to apply for a new passport card rush my passport. You will need to fill in an official form and present identification and proof of citizenship. I have a valid passport card, but now i want to get a passport book. The passport cards usefulness as an international travel identification document is so limited, its not adequate for most of its intended use. I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time. Passport card frequently asked questions with answers. A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air. Department of state passport services process and issue a passport card at the same time it takes to process if you were to obtain a passport book. You should know that the passport card is only valid for travel by land and sea within mexico, canada, bermuda, and the caribbean, and you can not use it for air travel or for travel to other. Visa, mastercard, diners club international and american express cards are accepted. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. Its easy to get a passport card for your child when you apply for their minor passport book. Of the internal pages, 17 are blank pages marked visas that are meant for travel visas and country entry and exit stamps.
A passport card is cheaper than a passport book, but cant be used for air travel and. The card has the same validity period as a passport book. Should you choose a passport book or a passport card. Save yourself hassle with expedited passport services if you dont have the time or patience for applying for your u. Apply for a passport book if you plan on traveling abroad to countries that do not border the united states. 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. As stated, the passport book and the passport card are not the same. 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. The passport card will match the expiry date of your passport book, if you have less than 5 years validity remaining. Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages. Department of state passport services recently began issuing the passport card as an alternative to the traditional passport book. You have to go in person to present your application.
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 best way to cover all bases is to get both a passport card and standard passport, which you can easily do the next time you renew your passport. For security purposes, the card contains a radio frequency identification chip rfid. Department of state has a simpletoread list of facts comparing the passport card with the passport book and providing links to applications for both. While the passport card is more convenient due to its size, it is far more restricted in use than the passport book. To obtain a passport card, you will need to gather up the same forms, photos, and documents that are needed for applying for a us passport. Once you know the differences between these documents, you can decide between requesting a passport card vs passport book. Should i get a passport book, card, or both for a cruise. Apr 23, 2018 youll need to include your most recent passport, form ds82, an updated passport photo, payment for the new book andor card, and any documentation to support a requested name change.
These federal identification passport cards and passport books are the only documents that permit u. Passport cards are wallet sized while the passport book is larger and thicker. Youll need to submit the same documentation for getting a passport card as you do for a passport book, so getting them both at the same time makes things easier. 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. Aug 10, 2012 a passport book is bigger than a passport card. If you are traveling within 2 weeks or need a foreign visa within 4 weeks, you should make an appointment at a passport agency or center. Standard processing takes 46 weeks, not including the time it takes for your new passport book to get to you. Youll need to submit the same documentation for getting a passport card as you do for a passport book, so. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card. Getting a passport isnt that difficult, but it can be a bit of a hassle as there are several steps to take.
The requirements are the same for the passport card as those for the passport book. But, the passport card can only be used for international travel by land and sea. The us passport card is a credit cardsized identification document. If you already have a passport book, you do not need a passport card to travel internationally. The chip acts as a security measure to help protect against identity theft. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. Apr 06, 2016 its easy to get a passport card for your child when you apply for their minor passport book. It is basically a wallet size document, or card, that allows you to reenter the united states from mexico, canada, the carribean, and bermuda whether by land border or by sea port.
With standard processing, you should submit your application no later than 8 weeks before your travel date. 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. Applicants need to understand how to get a passport before they begin planning their international trips. For,these people, it is just a wasting of money to get a passport book. Youll need to include your most recent passport, form ds82, an updated passport photo, payment for the new book andor card, and any documentation to support a requested name change. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. The department of state is issuing the passport card in response to the needs of border resident communities for a less expensive and more portable alternative to the traditional passport book. The passport book is the traditional multipage document that border agents stamp as you travel through. Here are more details about how to apply for a passport card. Passport card or book for my kids to go to the bahamas via.
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. Oct 16, 2017 the passport card is cheaper to obtain than the passport book. If you get a passport book and card at the same time, they will expire at the same time. You can imagine my surprise when i found myself putting an x in the checkbox on my u. Passport the application process is the same for either the passport book or card, even if you want both at the same time. If you have the passport card, you may want to get the book as well in case you need to make unexpected flights. If you think having both will serve your purpose, then go ahead and get them. Keep in mind that if you do have the card, you will need to complete a new application for the book. Get a passport card with your passport renewal g3passports. Mar 18, 2020 the passport book has plenty of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps, while the passport card is a onepiece credit card sized id card.
The passport book is the regular passport that youve seen before. Passport card department of foreign affairs and trade. Passport cards are particularly useful for some people. So, let us discuss the benefits of a passport card and a passport book. Various passport agencies will expedite passport cards if the applicant is in need of a passport card in less than 2 weeks.
Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. However, if youd like to get a passport card still, you can apply by completing the ds82 passport renewal form. Due to this, each one possesses its own particular upsides and downsides, meaning that each one might be bettersuited to some people out there than the other.
Also, if you get a passport card separately from your passport, it has a different number and expiration date also costs a bit more. A passport card is a state id, any bar that doesnt accept a passport card can be sued for not following state law. However, your new passport card may take longer to be issued, and will be sent to you under separate cover. There is no reason to ever get a passport card, unless you only travel to canada, mexico or caribbean. However, keep in mind that the book is more expensive than the card. 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. A passport book is a passport that will be accepted anywhere in the whole world and on any form of transportation that youll use. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is not requried that you obtain both. 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. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document.
If not, then the passport card should suffice for your trip to the bahamas. It can also be used for domestic air travel in the usa. For example, if youre traveling on april 24, 2015, you should submit your application no later than february 27. The passport card is a wallet side document that will be used to expedite document processing from the u. Jun 09, 2019 basically, i would say passport card is simply designed for those people who plan to cross the land border or enter a sea port, for example, there are many americans who only travelled to canada in their whole life. Youll submit your passport card as part of the package, instead of submitting a passport. If you think that your children might need a passport book in the near future, then you might want to apply for this. If youre thinking of going on a cruise, the passport card might be nice when you need a from of identification to get on and off the ship. The passport book has plenty of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps, while the passport card is a onepiece creditcardsized id card. If youre a citizen of the united states, and youre thinking about traveling to mexico, but you dont yet have a passport, you might consider getting a passport card instead of a regular passport book. 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.
Yes, it is much easier to get a new passport book with a pasport card over copies. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport. All the information an embassy needs is coded on the card, they just swipe it and a replacement is issued. A us passport card can only be used for land and sea travel to canada, mexico or the caribbean. There are several options when it comes to forms of identification for travel. You can make quite money with such bars, so go for it and find as many bars as possible that dont accept your government id and ask you lawyer to sue the hell out of them for discrimination because this would be the only reason why they didnt accept and official government. Otherwise, if youre certain that youll only be traveling by land or sea, then the card should suit your needs. Youll be able to use your passport card to apply for a passport book using form ds82 and the same procedure that is used for passport renewals. The passport book has plenty of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps, while the passport card is a onepiece credit card sized id card.
Whats the difference between a passport book and a. The primary justification i had for doing so was tha. Routine and expedited processing times include mailing time. Expedited at agency processing time does not include mailing time. If so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. Jun 16, 2016 i have a valid passport card, but now i want to get a passport book. In a short period of time, passport services received over 350,000 applications for the passport card.
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