If you are also applying for a renewal of your passport book and you opt for expedited service by mail, your passport book will arrive in 23 weeks, but your passport card may arrive in a separate envelope several weeks later. 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. Most nations issue this type of passport with a durable outer cover that protects a number of interior paper pages. 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 card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. If i already have a passport book, can i use the ds82 to get a passport card. 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. The passport book is the traditional multipage document that border agents stamp as you travel through. 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. In an effort to assist our visitors in obtaining the information they need as. A passport card can be used to enter the us states at land border crossing or seaportsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their travels abroad.
Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. The united states passport card is an official identity and. Applying for a passport card by mail will take up to 8 weeks. If you have a passport card, you can also use it to drive across the canadian border and to. While the passport card is more convenient due to its size, it is far more restricted in use than the passport book. The passport card is smaller when compared to the size of passport book. Conveniently, both the passport book and the passport card have the same renewal period.
Both the passport book and passport card serve as proof of your u. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. Because of its small size, the passport card will fit in your wallet, as opposed to a passport book which can be impractical to carry around with you. Passport card is wallet sized document while passport book size is 5. Passport card department of foreign affairs and trade. Carry both the card and the passport book in case of an emergency and you need to fly home. Passport books are relatively small documents, generally 5 inches tall by 3. Passport holder cover case, premium vegan leather rfid blocking travel wallet with snap closure, shades of blue. In contrast, a passport card is similar in purpose to a passport book but much more limited in scope. If you are traveling by air or to most countries, you will need a traditional passport book, with pages for your various visas. A passport book is valid for all types of travel land. If issued for the full validity, they are both proof of your u. This is perhaps unsurprising, seeing as how a passport card lacks the blank pages of the passport book because it is nothing more than the size of a standard id card. Passport cards requested by mail are always shipped back.
Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. However, if youre considering a passport book vs passport card, just get both. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. The passport book has plenty of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture. Only available for passport book applicants in the united states not canada. This service is not available for passport card applicants. Mar 18, 2020 the passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. Jun 20, 2019 passport book is valid for international travel by air, sea, or land. Passport the application process is the same for either the passport book or card, even if you want both at the same time. Minor children will need to have their passports renewed every 5 years until they reach 16 years of age.
Passport cards are valid for land and sea travel to and from canada, mexico and the countries of the caribbean. The passport card facilitates entry and expedites document processing at u. The passport book is your typical passport, a bound, paged booklet that is issued by the us department of state verifying your identity and nationality, usually for the purpose of traveling internationally all international air travel for us passport holders, regardless of origin or destination airport, must be accompanied by a valid us passport book. You must have the original copies of all required documents. You have the freedom to choose which one you wish to have to depend on the country you are planning to travel to. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. All you have to do is mark the passport application to show you are requesting both the passport book and passport card. A passport card is a smaller version of a passport book and fits inside a wallet. Previously issued passport book or passport card official military identification card a photocopy of the valid form of identification id, showing the front and back of the id and provided on plain white 8 12 x 11 paper must be sent in with the passport applications. They are valid for five years from the date of issue, just like a minor passport book. The passport card is available to all irish citizens who hold a valid irish 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. Difference between passport book and passport card compare.
See the chart below to decide which is best for you. The passport card will facilitate entry and expedite document processing at u. It is intended to be used in place of the standard u. The card cannot be used for international air travel. A passport card is valid for travel to and from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda at land border crossings and sea portsofentry. Passport card faq get answers to your passport card questions. As passport books allows more activities as compare to passport card so they tend to cost more as well. A us passport card can only be used for land and sea travel to canada, mexico or the caribbean. Save yourself hassle with expedited passport services if you dont have the time or patience for applying for your u. A passport book is required for all international travel by air. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. 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. May 12, 2020 in certain circumstances, citizens may wish to obtain a passport card rather than a passport book, for reasons of cost and convenience.
You cannot use a passport card when traveling by air internationally. Adults will need to have their passport renewed every 10 years. So, given the differences between a passport book vs passport card, which one is right for you. The card cant be used for international air travel. There is no available way to get a same day passport, but you can choose to get same day service on a regular passport book with us passport now.
Difference between passport book and passport card. It was designed for people who travel frequently between the u. The passport card will match the expiry date of your passport book, if you have less than 5 years validity remaining. The difference between passport and passport card us. The passport card shares the same validity period as the passport book. Your personal details must be an exact match of the details that appear in your passport book. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. If you do not receive a second mailing within 10 business days of receiving the first, please contact the national passport information center by email at. The difference between a passport book or card getaway usa. 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. The fee to obtain a passport card and passport book also changes. It contains several pages like the passport details page which provides the holders name,date of birth, passport expiry date etc as well as other blank pages for visa and immigration stamping a passport card is a portable pocket sized card similar to a credit card that fits in your wallet. Applicants must provide documents which attest to their u.
Just a few years later, the number of passport cards issued rose to over one million. Aug 10, 2012 a passport book is bigger than a passport card. Due to this growth, more and more questions are sent to use about this travel document. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane.
How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land sea. The passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. 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. It will otherwise carry the rights and privileges of the u. To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to. How to apply for a new passport card rush my passport. If you have a passport book and you are eligible to use form ds82, you may apply for a passport card as a renewal by mail even if it is your first passport card. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. Although, keep in mind, while both can be used as forms of id.
Passport cover clear plastic vinyl id card protector case holder pack of 5. It can also be used for domestic air travel in the usa. You must renew your passport book at the same time that your apply for your passport card so your passport book and card have the same number. Passport card faq get answers to your passport card.
It can be used for travel to 31 countries in the european union eu and european economic area eea plus switzerland. Nov 04, 2014 conveniently, both the passport book and the passport card have the same renewal period. Otherwise, it carries the rights and privileges of the u. The passport card is a fully valid passport that attests to the u. If you are traveling by air or to most countries, you will need a traditional passport book. When you apply for a passport card, youll spend less money than you would when. As such, the passport card is adjudicated to the exact standards as the passport book.
Passport book is valid for international travel by air, sea, or land. It is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors under 16. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. It is smaller and more convenient to carry than a passport book, and it is less expensive to obtain. Passport card is also valid for international travel but by land or sea only. Passport books and cards are alternatives to a stateissued id. Only one execution fee is charged for an individual applying for both a card and book at the same time. 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. Us passport book and passport card online application.
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. The biggest difference between a passport book and passport card is that passport cards are only valid to enter canada, mexico, bermuda, and. 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 card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air. The us passport card is a small passport card, about the size of a credit card, that contains your photo and identifying information. 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 a cheaper alternative to the passport book. Visa, mastercard, diners club international and american express cards are accepted. The passport card is intended as a more portable, less expensive alternative to the standard passport book, primarily for u. A passport card carries many of the same benefits as a passport book, it just resembles a credit card and has certain restrictions.
You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a passport book. 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. 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 us passport card is a credit card sized identification document. 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 card may not be used to travel by air outside the united states. A passport book is valid for any international travel by air, sea or land. 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. Complete online and submit form ds82 available using the online passport wizard. Passport cards are particularly handy for people who live close to the border and cross frequently or people who rarely travel but have decided to go on a cruise in mexico or the caribbean. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. Differences between a passport book and passport card.
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