Although, keep in mind, while both can be used as forms of id. If your travel plans take you to a country bordering the u. Passport cards are a form of us passport that are the size of a credit card or driver s license. However, the passport book is valid for all forms of travel. However, if you get a passport card, it cannot be used for travel by air. Because of public health measures to prevent the spread of covid19, effective march 20, we have limited u. Types of us passport books get your passport book today. 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. Both the passport book and passport card serve as proof of your u. You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a passport book. The traditional passport book is still required for most travel purposes. Passport card vs passport book americas central america. Carry both the card and the passport book in case of an emergency and you need to fly home. The passport card is also a valid form of id so it is useful to have it on you at all times when traveling abroad.
Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages. T here are a variety of united states passport books that are issued to travelers for specific reasons. Expedited service processes the passport in 3 weeks, at an additional cost. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. Passport cards allow entry from canada, mexico, caribbean.
Read below for more info on how to get your passport fast. 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. Department of state standard processing times are now longer. When to carry both sometimes it makes life more convenient to have both a passport book and a card, and carry them both on your international travel. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book.
Any us citizen wishing to travel internationally via air must have a passport book. There is a mandatory passport application fee for most services. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. 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 more. This service is not available for passport card applicants. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card.
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. 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. Save yourself hassle with expedited passport services if you dont have the time or patience for applying for your u. I lost my passport card, and i would like to apply for a new one to make use of the expedited rfid lanes at the mexican border. If so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. The card will provide a less expensive, smaller, and more convenient alternative to the passport book for those who travel frequently to these destinations by land or by sea. For those of you who are about to get a us passport renewed or getting one for the first time, there is something called a passport card its biometric and usually only good between rail, boat and car in canadamexicobermuda etc but it is proof that you do own a us passport. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. A us passport card can only be used for land and sea travel to canada, mexico or the caribbean. To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to. Does a passport card work to go to canada by train. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv.
Passport cards are particularly useful for some people. One is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. Ds11 only has options under have you ever had either a passport card book for no, loststolen, or submitted with application. I currently have a passport card that was issued in june 2009. You can get a us passport card, whether or not you currently hold a passport book. The passport book is accepted for any form of international travel and is also the document that holds your visas. The passport card is a walletsize travel document that can only be used to reenter the united states at land bordercrossings or ports of entry by sea from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda. Use the 2020 passport fees table to help you calculate the cost of getting your passport.
The passport card is not valid for any air travel, including to canada and mexico. Read on to learn how you can apply for your passport card and lighten your load for your next journey. Well help you determine whether you want or need to pay extra for the passport card. Apr 21, 2016 youll use the same form that you would use to apply for a passport bookeither a ds11 or ds82. 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. The total amount will depend on the service you require and any additional services you might need or want. If any of the following apply to you, you may want to obtain a passport card.
It can also be used for domestic air travel in the usa. Changing or correcting your name in a us passport prices around. The us passport card can be useful in a number of situations. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. 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 more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. They can be used for land or sea travel to canada, mexico, bermuda. 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. Passport cards are a form of us passport that are the size of a credit card or drivers license.
Select both and you will pay additional fees for the passport book and passport card. If youre applying for a passport card for the first time, youll want to find a passport. Adults renewing a passport do not have to pay an execution fee, although this is paid at the time of first application. Although, keep in mind, while both can be used as forms of id when traveling, the passport card has some restrictions.
Passport cards are valid for land and sea travel to and from canada, mexico and the countries of the caribbean. If you applied and requested routine service on or before march 19, 2020, you should expect significant delays receiving your passport and your citizenship evidence documents. Oct 16, 2017 the passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. Passport card can be used to enter united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at. The us passport card is a credit card sized identification document. Government fees have increased, but they havent increased the speed. The passport card has one fee for us citizens when you apply for the first time, and another fee when you already have a passport. A passport card can be used to enter the us states at land border crossing or seaports of entry from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda.
I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. Department of state expedite fee paid per application, in addition to. 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 card can be used for entering the united states at land border crossings and sea portsofentry from. The passport card has benefits, but does not offer the same list of privileges as a traditional passport. United states passport fees updated january 2019 adult applicants 16 years and older please see apply in person. In such situations, a passport card comes in handy because it is the size of a credit card and fits nicely in a wallet. H ave you ever wished your passport could fit inside your wallet. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. First time applicants for a passport book card must appear in person before a passport agent.
They have been available to us citizens since 2008, and are meant to be a convenient way to prove your identity and citizenship. 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. If you are a previous passport book holder and you are eligible to submit form ds82, you may apply for a passport card as a renewal by mail even if it is your first passport card. The other is the passport card, which is just like a drivers license. Differences between a passport book and passport card. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their travels abroad. Feb 12, 2019 passport book the passport book is designed to be used for all types of international travel. The passport card is designed to be a less expensive and more. There are several options when it comes to forms of identification for travel. A passport book is required for all international travel by air. What is the difference between a passport book and passport card. If you received a letter from us requesting additional documents or information to process your passport application, you may mail your response to the address in the letter. A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land sea.
Allow approximately 68 weeks for processing a passport application. 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. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to barbados. The passport card cannot be used for international air travel. A passport card is also available for certain travel situations. The united states passport card is an official identity and limited travel document issued by the. Us passport book and passport card online application. What is the difference between a passport book and. How to apply for a new passport card rush my passport. The adult and minor passport card fees are about the same.
Nov 20, 2017 a passport card allows significantly fewer opportunities for the holder to travel, but often its enough for some. You can also apply for the passport book and the passport card at the same time when youre utilizing the ds11 new passport application for new passport. Passport card difference between passport book and passport card u. Our fees listed on this page are for those applying for or renewing their passport in the united states and renewing by mail from canada. If you are traveling by air or to most countries, you will need a traditional passport book, with pages for your various visas. Your old passport book andor card will be returned to you, but generally it will come in a separate mailing from your new passport. Only available for passport book applicants in the united states not canada. On the form, you indicate that youre applying for a passport card by checking the appropriate. 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.
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. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. S citizens that want to travel by land or sea to canada, mexico, and the caribbean. If you own a current passport book, you can apply for a card by 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 is only valid for entry into the united states at land border crossings or sea ports of entry.
You can use the card for land and sea border crossings at canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda only. The passport card facilitates entry and expedites document processing at u. However, people find a passport card more convenient and accessible when carrying. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. If you want to renew either a valid book or a card, you must submit the specific document you.
A passport card is a smaller version of a passport book and fits inside a wallet. Otherwise, it carries the rights and privileges of the u. Instead, it is the acceptance, or execution fee, that is. You can carry your passport card with you at all times and leave the passport book safe in the hotel room locker.
Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card. The difference between passport and passport card us. If you need a passport faster than 23 weeks, a thirdparty expediting service can submit your passport application for you for same day processing. 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. 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. For example, if you can submit a passport book, but you lost your passport card, you cannot renew the passport card. 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. A passport card is the same size as a drivers license, and is official proof of your identity and us citizenship. Aug 18, 2016 today, united states citizens need a passport to travel to neighboring countries such as mexico and canada. Find a passport application acceptance facility card. A passport card can be used to enter the us states at land border crossing or seaportsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. How much does it cost to get a us passport in 2020. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. Just a few years later, the number of passport cards issued rose to over one million.
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. If you lose your passport book you still have your passport card and vice versa. The passport card contains a radio frequency identification chip as well as the traditional photograph and personal information found in a passport book. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. Passport card faq get answers to your passport card questions. It was introduced on july 18th, 2008 and over 7 million passport cards have been issued since then. First of all, a passport card can be used for travel by sea to barbados.
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. 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. It was designed for people who travel frequently between the us and canada, mexico, bermuda or the caribbean by land or sea. If you want to renew both a valid passport book and passport card, you must submit both documents. Please contact npic if you do not receive the second or third mailing within 10 business days of the previous mailing. Passport card faq get answers to your passport card. A passport card is less expensive than a traditional passport book. There are different passport card fees depending on if you are an adult or a minor. Here are the countries and territories where a us passport card is valid. 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 passport card is designed to be a less expensive and more portable alternative to the passport book. Aug 10, 2012 a passport card can provide a more convenient, cheaper alternative to carrying your passport book.
Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. Passport fees 2020 for routine and expedited services. In this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. However, before you apply for a new passport card, consider carefully whether or not you might be better off getting a us passport book. Jan 22, 2020 read below for more info on how to get your passport fast. The passport card is a walletsize card that can only be used for land and sea travel between the united states and canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda.
35 843 47 193 1479 395 1145 276 678 256 1155 689 1442 1119 1214 1166 1325 1223 509 1487 1385 222 1078 81 633 1446 1054 180 975 891 375 844 1337 63 1467 1035 685 552 825 1055