A passport card can provide a more convenient, cheaper alternative to carrying your passport book. Passport book vs passport card for kids the dis disney. If you are traveling by air or to most countries, you will need a traditional passport book, with pages for your various visas. Did you know the term passport can actually refer to two different documents a passport book and a passport card. There is no reason to ever get a passport card, unless you only travel to canada, mexico or caribbean. You can apply by mail using form ds82 if you have a passport book or card that. However, if you get a passport card, it cannot be used for travel by air. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card. If you still got any questions about whether you need a passport book or card, please contact travel visa pro.
If you are traveling within north america and are not traveling by air, you can use the new us passport card, which is simpler and less expensive to apply for. If for some reason while your on a cruise and you need to disembark unexpectedly and need to fly home from a foreign port only having a u. States must present a valid passport book, passport card or. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. No one expects an emergency, and whether you plan or not plan to travel. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. If any of the following apply to you, you may want to obtain a passport card.
You should always wear identification, so i would suggest bringing your passport its a must and carry you card in your pocket. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card. If you already only have the passport book, you can get the passport card as well when you apply for your next passport renewal. You may have heard about the passport card that the united states department of state now issues. 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. Aug 10, 2012 a passport card can provide a more convenient, cheaper alternative to carrying your passport book. Normally, when a person obtains a passport, this is what he or she will receive. If you dont already have a passport, you must apply inperson at a passport acceptance facility such as a post office, library, or courthouse. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport. While having a us passport card is great and affordable, if you need an emergency trip home, you may decide that a us passport book is more your liking. I am looking at walking across the cbx from san diego to tij and flying to cabo. If you are traveling by air or to most countries, you will need a.
An adult passport card looks similar to a drivers license, and is valid for ten years. The passport card will match the expiry date of your passport book, if you have less than 5 years validity remaining. Sep 02, 2010 there is no reason to ever get a passport card, unless you only travel to canada, mexico or caribbean. A passport card looks like a drivers license or credit card in size. However, a passport book is just the right document to use to travel around the world. Since john will be driving between buffalo, new york and toronto, canada at least once each quarter, he can use the passport card, but if he drives one way from buffalo to toronto and flies home, hell need a passport book for the flight. The 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. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. Read on to learn how you can apply for your passport card and lighten your load for your next journey. The passport book is valid for all international travel. What you need to know before you lodge when you lodge your application, you may be asked some questions to verify that the information you. Will i have to apply for the book as a first time applicant. The passport card is not valid if the owner wants to use it for air travel. 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.
However, if youre going on a caribbean cruise departing from the u. They are valid for five years from the date of issue, just like a minor passport book. If you are applying for both a book and a card at the. Passport requirements for visiting popular countries. Do you know the difference between a passport and a passport card. Lodging a passport application australian passport office. The difference between passport and passport card us. The booklet style passport, on the other hand, allows the owner to travel to any country in the. 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. If you are entering jamaica by sea, you may use a passport card or a passport book, but passport books are preferred because entry officials may not be familiar with the us passport card. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. Department of state has a simpletoread list of facts.
What is the difference between a passport book and. In this blog post we will discuss the difference between the two documents. Oct 07, 2017 if for some reason while your on a cruise and you need to disembark unexpectedly and need to fly home from a foreign port only having a u. Your us passport book must be valid for the full duration of your cruise. The passport card is designed to be a less expensive and more portable alternative to the passport book. The passport requirements to cross the mexican border for. If you are applying for both a book and a card at the same time, you only need to submit one passport photo. Of course, in theory its only officially valid for international land or sea travel between the united states, canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. Feb 28, 2020 bahamas passport requirements state that u. 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. A passport book is the official book style document that allows a us citizen to travel internationally by land, sea or air.
Jul 02, 2010 if a duplicate passport is more than youd like to bite off right now, a passport card might be the way to go. The passport card facilitates entry and expedites document processing at u. Whats the difference between a passport book and a 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. Here are more details about how to apply for a passport card. I have a passport card, but also need a passport book for overseas travel. Sometimes it makes life more convenient to have both a passport book and a card, and carry them both on your international travel. Oct 16, 2017 the passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. You will need to fill in an official form and present identification and proof of citizenship. The passport card is only valid for entry into the united states at land border crossings or sea ports of entry. The passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. To enter the dominican republic by air, you need a passport book.
You do not need a passport to enter the united kingdom, but airlines and sea. First of all, a passport card can be used for travel by sea to barbados. I have a passport card, but also need a passport book for overseas. Applying for your first passport is relatively straightforward although you need to ensure you have the necessary identification documents. The us passport card is a small passport card, about the size of a credit card, that contains your photo and identifying information. Anyone who will travel internationally by air must have a passport book. If youre traveling by sea, you can use a passport card, enhanced drivers license, nexus, fast or sentri card instead. Do i need a passport to go to on a caribbean cruise. Everything you need to know about a us passport card. If you want to travel outside of the us, you will need either a valid us passport or a us passport card. If you are applying for a passport, youll need to consider whether to get a passport book or a passport card.
How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. 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. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. How do you know if you need a passport book versus passport card. I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time. Travel articles do you need a passport or a passport card. If not you should carry your passport book around, but that would be very stressful. Youll use the same form that you would use to apply for a passport bookeither a ds11 or ds82.
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. Carry both the passport card and the passport book in case of an emergency and you need to fly home. Differences between a passport book and passport card. 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. The passport card is walletsize while the passport book is 5x3 12 when closed. Otherwise, it carries the rights and privileges of the u. However, it cannot be used for international air travel. Whether you need a passport book or card for your travels, come on down to the nearest travel visa pro to discuss your options. Carry the card in your wallet it looks a little like a drivers. If you are lodging a childs passport application, you cannot apply for the childs passport in australia if the child is located overseas. Ed perkins a nationally recognized reporter, writer, and consumer advocate, ed perkins focuses on how travelers can find the best deals and avoid. The passport card has the applicants photo and data printed on them.
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. Your us passport book must be valid for the full duration of. Updated april 3, 2020 because of public health measures to prevent the spread of covid19, effective march 20, 2020, we are only able to offer inperson service at passport agencies or centers for customers with a qualified lifeordeath emergency and who need a passport for immediate international travel within 72 hours. I am in the process of getting passports for my kids and wondering if i should just get the card since it is cheaper. Jun 02, 2018 whether you need a passport book or card for your travels, come on down to the nearest travel visa pro to discuss your options. Passport card department of foreign affairs and trade. Since i would be crossing the border by land, would the passport card be okay instead of having to pay more for the passport book. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. Updated april 3, 2020 because of public health measures to prevent the spread of covid19, effective march 20, 2020, we are only able to offer inperson service at passport agencies or centers for customers with a qualified lifeordeath emergency and who need a. While us passport books can be accepted in any country with the proper visa unless theyve specifically barred americans from entry, a.
The bookletstyle passport, on the other hand, allows the owner to travel to any country in the. So youre looking to travel internationally but there are these options between a passport vs passport card. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. If a duplicate passport is more than youd like to bite off right now, a passport card might be the way to go. If youre applying for a passport card for the first time, youll want to find a passport. If you have a valid passport book, you do not have to get a passport card as well. 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. Advertisement a general expedited passport can currently make its way to your. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. Make sure that you know which type of passport you need before purchasing your passport card or book. What information do i need to get a passport in texas. How to get a passport card when renewing your passport.
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 primary justification i had for doing so was tha. The application process for a passport card is very similar to applying for a passport. Passport cards are particularly useful for some people. Visa, mastercard, diners club international and american express cards are accepted. The passport card is a wallet side document that will be used to expedite document processing from the u. In fact, on the ds11 application to renew or get a passport, at the top you can select whether you are applying for a passport book with pages for foreign visa entryexit stamps, visas, etc. State department can expedite your passport approval process.
How to obtain a duplicate passport and passport card its. The passport requirements to cross the mexican border for americans. The traditional passport book is still required for most travel purposes. Passport cards can only be purchased as an addon feature when applying for a passport book. A passport card is a wallet sized passport, similar to a state drivers license. Should i get a passport card to go along with my passport.
United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their travels abroad. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. Additionally, the cost of the passport card is significantly less than the passport book. Find a passport application acceptance facility card.
1486 1397 1535 73 876 1191 1440 969 416 966 777 723 409 942 421 598 1434 613 901 1527 1321 1279 408 1464 1004 1429 1330 455 35 685 1178