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. Conveniently, both the passport book and the passport card have the same renewal period. Minor children will need to have their passports renewed every 5 years until they reach 16 years of age. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. You can use this creditcardsized document to reenter the united states from mexico, canada, bermuda and the caribbean when traveling by land or sea. A passport card also might be pretty useful for alaska cruises, on condition that all border crossings into canada are done via sea or land. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults, and five years for travelers under age 16.
If you have a passport card, you can also use it to drive across the canadian border and to. Aug 10, 2012 a passport book is bigger than a passport card. The application process for a passport card is very similar to applying for a passport. 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. 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. Fill out the application using a black ink pen or use the state department online tool to fill out the application, and select passport card. The passport book is the most common passport to carry. Passport the application process is the same for either the passport book or card, even if you want both at the same time. Passport book or passport card cancun forum tripadvisor. If youre planning a trip to any other destination, then you would need a u. The purpose of the passport book is to allow entry and exit to any country in the world. Jun, 2019 how to get a us passport book first time. If you are applying for a passport, youll need to consider whether to get a passport book or a passport card. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail.
If so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. I believe getting the passport card is the same price as getting a passport book renewal. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. The new passport form gives you the option to get a passport card. When you apply for a passport card, youll spend less money than you would when applying for a passport book. The primary justification i had for doing so was tha.
Passport cards cannot be used for international air travel. It is a credit cardsized, laminated document that is less expensive than the passport book, and discounted further if the traveler also holds a valid passport book, but it is not necessary to have a passport book to get the passport card. What is the difference between a passport book and passport card. If you have a valid passport book, you do not have to get a passport card as well. Figure out how much time you need before your trip. Cancun passport requirements vary depending on how you enter mexico. These countries include canada, mexico, and the caribbean. Does a passport card work to go to canada by train. The first step in obtaining a passport card is downloading and filling out the ds11 form. The only exception is that you may use a passport card in order to enter the united states by a land border crossing or at a sea portofentry. I suggest you get the card since you are going on a cruise. 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.
Differences between a passport book and passport 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. May, 2019 in this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. Feb 21, 2020 cancun passport requirements vary depending on how you enter mexico.
The passport card is also commonly used for travelers that wish to take a cruise but do not plan on ever traveling by plane. Jun 03, 2014 it is a credit card sized, laminated document that is less expensive than the passport book, and discounted further if the traveler also holds a valid passport book, but it is not necessary to have a passport book to get the passport card. Difference between a passport book and passport card. The passport card will match the expiry date of your passport book, if you have less than 5 years validity remaining. You wont be able to use a passport card for air travel to or from the island. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. Any time you board an international flight, you will need a valid us passport book. If you lose your passport card, just apply for a new one after your trip. The passport publication has lots of pages for arrivaldeparture stamps and visas, while the passport card is a id card. 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.
A passport card is valid for travel to and from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda at land border crossings and sea portsofentry. However, if you lose your driver license or passport book, you are in for. Along with allowing for international travel, passports can be used to prove your identity and citizenship, especially when you need multiple forms of identification. Passport cards are valid for land and sea travel to and from canada, mexico and the countries of the caribbean. 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. 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. They are valid for five years from the date of issue, just like a minor passport book.
Travel articles do you need a passport or a passport card. Passport books and cards are alternatives to a stateissued id. However, before you apply for a new passport card, consider carefully whether or not you might be better off getting a us passport book. That said, passport cards are very useful forms of identification. The department of state is issuing this passport card in response to the needs of border resident communities for a less expensive and more portable alternative to the traditional passport book. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to.
Adults will need to have their passport renewed every 10 years. A passport book is valid for any international travel by air, sea or land. An adult passport card looks similar to a drivers license, and is valid for ten years. You will need to fill in an official form and present identification and proof of citizenship. State department issues two versions of a passport.
There are several options when it comes to forms of identification for travel. Oct 05, 2018 if so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. Mar 05, 2018 a passport card is a smaller version of a passport book and fits inside a wallet. If you fly to jamaica, a passport book is the only acceptable form of identification, despite jamaicas membership of the western hemisphere travel initiative. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. Nov 04, 2014 conveniently, both the passport book and the passport card have the same renewal period. Aug 18, 2016 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. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card. If you are applying for both a book and a card at the same time, you only need to submit one passport photo. The card has the same period of validity as a passport book. You never know when you might need to get off the ship because of an.
If you already hold a passport book, your card will be issued with a different number. 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. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport. It is also used for domestic travel to countries by land or sea. The passport card has benefits, but does not offer the same list of privileges as a traditional passport. Jun 02, 2018 from an american perspective, passport cards are fairly unique. Passport card department of foreign affairs and trade. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. It can also be used for domestic air travel in the usa. 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. Start today by applying for or renewing your passport. Unless you are planning on driving to cancunor riding a cruise, you would need the book.
Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. Jan 11, 2019 the passport card is also commonly used for travelers that wish to take a cruise but do not plan on ever traveling by plane. If you already have a passport book or passport card, you can renew by mail using. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. A passport card is the size of a drivers license and can be used only for travel by land or sea to canada, mexico, bermuda, and parts of the caribbean. Passport book allows you to travel by land, sea and air. What is the difference between a passport book and. 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. The use for a card is generally for land and sea travels, so you wouldnt be able to board an international flight using a passport card, tharp tells me. It is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors under 16.
If you are applying for both a book and a card at the. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. 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. 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. A passport book is always required to travel internationally. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a. Of the internal pages, 17 are blank pages marked visas that are meant for travel visas and country entry and exit stamps.
I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. It is smaller and more convenient to carry than a passport book, and it is less expensive to obtain. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card. Here are more details about how to apply for a passport card. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. Standard processing takes 46 weeks, not including the time it takes for your new passport book to get to you. In addition to being mandatory for air travel, it can offer peace of mind for emergencies. How to apply for a new passport card rush my passport. I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time. Visa, mastercard, diners club international and american express cards are accepted. A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air. Whats a passport card, and can it replace a real id.
Not only do they look different, they serve slightly different purposes. But if youre not worried about the money or youre just planning to travel more in the future internationally, then a passport book would always be a better option. With standard processing, you should submit your application no later than 8 weeks before your travel date. The passport card is a walletsize identification card with your picture, information, and barcode. In a short period of time, passport services received over 350,000 applications for the passport card. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their. When you apply for a passport card, youll spend less money than you would when. Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages. The passport card can be used for identification purposes. Department of state has a simpletoread list of facts. 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. A passport card is a smaller version of a passport book and fits inside a wallet. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. 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.
If youve never had a us passport before, this article outlines how you go about getting a passport book not passport card for the first time if youre living in the us and are an adult. Passport cards, like passport books, are valid for 10 years from the date of issue or 5 years, for children age 15 and younger. We compare the two to help you decide which type of id is best for you. A us passport card can only be used for land and sea travel to canada, mexico or the caribbean. Department of state passport services recently began issuing the passport card as an alternative to the traditional passport book. In this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. The passport book is the traditional multipage document that border agents stamp as you travel through. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips.