Anyone who will travel internationally by air must have a passport book. People who frequently cross the mexican or canadian border by car or train. Normally, when a person obtains a passport, this is what he or she will receive. We will go through all the passport requirements and options to make it easy for you. What is the difference between a passport book and. If you are applying for both a book and a card at the same time, you only need to submit one passport. Passport card department of foreign affairs and trade. What is the difference between a passport book and a passport card. The card may not be used to travel by air outside the united states. Unless you have a lifeordeath emergency, you should wait to apply for or renew your passport until we resume normal operations. The primary justification i had for doing so was tha.
A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. Everything you need to know about a us passport card. Both types can be used in certain circumstances, but the difference. If you can submit a passport book, but you lost your passport card, you cannot renew the passport card using form ds82. The passport card is a very handy tool to have in your vital document wallet. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their. And do you need the passport card or passport book for your trip. 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. 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 is a us passport card, and how can you get one. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card.
A passport card looks like a drivers license or credit card in size. The united states is significantly more isolated in that respect, with land borders only reaching canada and mexico, and many citizens preferring to carry a full passport book for international travel. If you are applying for a passport, youll need to consider whether to get a passport book or a passport card. The passport card has the applicants photo and data printed on them. Travel articles do you need a passport or a passport card. What is the difference between the passport book versus passpord card. If you already have a passport book, you might be able to apply for your very first passport card by mail. Feb 23, 2010 the requirement is to hold a passport e book, in case you do no longer want to hold your passport e book for worry of theft then it quite is greater constructive to hold a image reproduction of the photograph website of your passport e book no longer a passport card. We are planning on a carribean cruise in the future but want to make sure we have all teh documentation we need. Levi may 10, 2010 columns since the inception of the u. Passport requirements for travel to jamaica getaway usa. Please contact npic if you do not receive a second mailing within 10 business days of receiving the first. A passport card can be used to enter the us states at land border crossing or seaportsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. 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.
June 3, 2014 by travel maestro leave a comment johns u. To renew a childs passport book card you would need to submit the paperwork via the post office and you will need an appointment to do this. May 17, 2011 we decided to get the book for our daughter 18 months even though it was more expensive for two reasons. The passport card is available to all irish citizens who hold a valid irish passport book. However, a passport book is just the right document to use to travel around the world. 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. You will be required to submit your expired passport book card with your application. Is a passport compulsory to travel on flights within india. Passport card, you can keep your passport book safely in the lock box in your hotel room and just carry the card around with you. Feb 21, 2020 mexico tourism is a great resource for things to do and places to stay, as well as everything you need to know before you go when planning a trip to the country protect your passport. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. It can be used for travel to 31 countries in the european union eu and european economic area eea plus switzerland. The passport card is only valid for entry into the united states at land border crossings or sea ports of entry. In order to apply for a passport book by mail, your current passport must meet the following requirements.
If you are traveling on to europe, youll need a passport with at least three months of remaining validity from. You can do this by calling 18774872778 or submitting form ds64. In a short period of time, passport services received over 350,000 applications for the passport card. If im remembering correctly, you can use your passport card when travelling by land or sea. How to apply for a new passport card rush my passport. 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. Check over the information printed there, including your name, birth date and place of birth. I currently have a passport card that was issued in june 2009. We ll help you determine whether you want or need to pay extra for the passport card. A passport book is the official bookstyle document that allows a us citizen to travel internationally by land, sea or air. This is a privately owned website and not a government agency. Your personal details must be an exact match of the details that appear in your passport book. She flies to a different island each month to oversee operations.
Randy randolph your passport book will be returned with your new passport card, in order to get a passport card you still need to apply for a renewal. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. To enter the united states at land border crossings or sea portsofentry from canada, mexico, the. Citizens of some countries, like those based in the european economic area, dont need a full passport book when traveling across borders, but instead carry a national identity card. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a. Department of state passport services recently began issuing the passport card as an alternative to the traditional passport book. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison.
A passport book is required when returning to the usa on an international flight. When you apply for a passport card, youll spend less money than you would when. Depending on where you are traveling outside of the u. A passport card also could be useful for alaska cruises, as long as all border crossings into canada are done by land or sea. Adults who already have a fully valid passport book may apply for the card as a passport renewal. You only need to submit one photograph with your application for a passport renewal and passport card. You can use this credit card sized document to reenter the united states from mexico, canada, bermuda and the caribbean when traveling by land or sea. The passport book allows for all travel, by air, land, and sea and youll need the passport book in order to receive a travel visa.
I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to barbados. Nov 04, 2014 did you know the term passport can actually refer to two different documents a passport book and a passport card. A passport book is required for all international travel by air. My boyfriend and i have neither ever had a passport before. Any time you board an international flight, you will need a valid us passport book. However, if you get a passport card, it cannot be used for travel by air. 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. Do john and mary need a passport book or a passport card. Do you need a passport or a drivers license to fly at the airport. In order to apply for your first passport card, youll need the same documentation you need to apply for a passport book. We only send the passport card via first class mail.
Any identity card like aadhar card, pan card is sufficient. If youre only applying for a card, we will send it to you via first class mail. I will be needing to get a passport book within the next couple of years so i can travel to barbados. The passport card will facilitate entry and expedite document processing at u. Those details should all match the information provided on your passport application. Just in case if u need the whole process of aeroplane journey, here it is in a simplified form. Passport cards are particularly useful for some people. You can mail your renewal application directly to the state department yourself. If youre traveling by land, you need a passport book, a passport card, an enhanced drivers license with an rfid chip, not available in every state or a nexis, fast or sentri card these are trusted traveler programs. Passport card has the size of a credit card so it fits perfectly in any wallet or small purse. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. Whether youre driving across the border, taking a cruise ship or flying, you need a. Because of public health measures to prevent the spread of covid19, effective march 20, we have limited u.
Us passport book and passport card online application. 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. When your new passport arrives, immediately open it to the photo page. 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 parts of the world. There is no reason to ever get a passport card, unless you only travel to canada, mexico or caribbean. The passport book is valid for all international travel. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. It can also be used for domestic air travel in the usa. If you fly to jamaica, a passport book is the only acceptable form of identification, despite jamaicas membership of the western hemisphere travel initiative.
Ed perkins a nationally recognized reporter, writer, and consumer advocate, ed perkins focuses on how travelers can find the best deals and avoid. If heavenforbid we miss the boat on nassau, we d need the book. You do not need a valid passport book in order to apply for a passport id card, and you can apply for either the card only, or you can apply for a passport book and a passport card at the same time. 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. Firsttime passport card applicants who do not have a passport book traditional passport must go in person to a passport application facility, such as a post office or courthouse, and submit a completed passport application form, proof of us citizenship, one passport photo and the required fee. It will otherwise carry the rights and privileges of the u. Aug 10, 2012 a passport book is bigger than a passport card. 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. Can i renew my usa passport book and passport card separately. Then, you need to apply for a new passport for your son. If you are applying for both a book and a card at the same time, you only need to submit one passport photo. However, if youre going on a caribbean cruise departing from the u. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card.
Passport cards, like passport books, are valid for 10 years from the date of issue or 5 years, for children age 15 and younger. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults, and five years for travelers under age 16. The passport card is a wallet side document that will be used to expedite document processing from the u. Learn more on our covid19 update page and our frequently asked questions page.
Aug 10, 2012 in order to apply for your first passport card, youll need the same documentation you need to apply for a passport book. Differences between a passport book and passport card. However, it doesnt always make sense to have only the passport card. Passport book vs passport card for kids the dis disney. If any of the following apply to you, you may want to obtain a passport card.
A passport book is always accepted for international travel. If you have a passport card, you can also use it to drive across the canadian border and to. Please note if you have a passport that is valid for 10 years, you do not need to renew your. If so, you will need to renew it before you leave the united states. A passport card is, in all senses, just as much a passport as the passport book. The passport book is the traditional multipage document that border agents stamp as you travel through. We may be compensated if you make a purchase via a link on this site. If you want to renew either a valid book or a card, you must submit the specific document you want to renew. Citizens you will need a valid passport and, in some cases, a visa.
Pretty soon, your current drivers license may not be enough to get you through security at the airport. In conclusion, the passport book versus passport card is important to know. Both the passport book and passport card serve as proof of your u. Mexico tourism is a great resource for things to do and places to stay, as well as everything you need to know before you go when planning a trip to the country protect your passport. Children too young to get a drivers license or other stateissued identification card.
However, before you apply for a new passport card, consider carefully whether or not you might be better off getting a us passport book. Hi laura, if youre traveling by plane, you need a passport book. 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. The state departments website offers complete details and an online application form. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport. The passport card is only accepted for land and sea travel between the us and canada, mexico, the. It says i need to submit both documents at the same time if im renewing both, but doesnt say if its required to renew them at the same time. My passport was issued to me when i was 17 years old and now 10 years later i believe i am eligible to renew it.
The card is only good for land and sea travel, which means that we couldnt get a flight to the us. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. I am in the process of getting passports for my kids and wondering if i should just get the card since it is cheaper. Passport card difference between passport book and passport card u. The passport book has plenty of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps, while the passport card is a onepiece creditcardsized id card. An adult passport card looks similar to a drivers license, and is valid for ten years. If you are flying to jamaica, you must have a valid passport book to travel.
Jun 02, 2018 from an american perspective, passport cards are fairly unique. If you want to apply for a passport card and currently have a valid traditional passport, you can simply download and file form ds82. Along with this, you need to submit your passport card, one passport photo and payment. If you have a us passport book, there really is no need to get the passport card. You wont be able to use a passport card for air travel to or from the island. Unfortunately, you cannot upgrade your passport card to a passport book. Adult passports are valid for 10 years and may be renewed by mail.
I understand the loop exception that requires only a dl and birth certificate, but i was wondering about ports of call. Should i get a passport card to go along with my passport. To enter canada, your passport book or card must be valid at the time of entry. 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. A us passport card can only be used for land and sea travel to canada, mexico or the caribbean. I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. The passport card is most commonly used for travelers that live and work near the border. You can even write a letter to the us dept of state reminding them to return your valid passport book. We ll outline the differences between the two so youll know the correct answer. The passport card is designed to be a less expensive and more portable alternative to the passport book. If you already hold a passport book, your card will be issued with a different number. We are going on a cruise from the united states to the bahamas in march.
If you are traveling by boat, you need either a us passport book, a us passport card, a nexus, sentri or fast card, or an enhanced drivers license. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. 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. Therefore, it is important to report the loss to the state department. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. For example, if you can submit a passport book, but you lost your passport card, you cannot renew the passport card. Jun 03, 2014 mary works for a florida company that does business throughout the caribbean.
You may receive your newlyissued passport card and your citizenship documents in two separate mailings. Do you know the difference between a passport and a passport card. We decided to get the book for our daughter 18 months even though it was more expensive for two reasons. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. However, depending on where youre travelling, you might be ok with just the card.
Does anyone know if the usa passport card can be used for entry in to the dominican republic or does a visitor need the book. They are valid for five years from the date of issue, just like a minor passport book. 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 passport card is not valid if the owner wants to use it for air travel. It is smaller and more convenient to carry than a passport book, and it is less expensive to obtain.
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