I will be needing to get a passport book within the next couple of years so i can travel to barbados. The other is the passport card, which is just like a drivers license. 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. The passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship. May 10, 2010 on the other hand, the us passport card is only accepted as a u. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u.
It was introduced on july 18th, 2008 and over 7 million passport cards have been issued since then. Oct 07, 2017 whether you get the passport book card both are valid for 10 years. Passport cards cannot be applied for in conjunction with an emergency passport, nor can they be issued if you do not qualify for a full validity passport. A passport card is an acceptable id for flying domestically, according to tsa. Differences between a passport book and passport card. 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. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card. Both passport cards and books are also acceptable on shore excursions such as the white pass and yukon. Yes, if you have a passport card, you can obtain a passport book at any time. If you are applying for a passport, youll need to consider whether to get a passport book or a passport card. Select both and you will pay additional fees for the passport book and passport card. Enhanced drivers license many people may not know but depending on the state that you live in a third option is available to you. I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time.
Normally, when a person obtains a passport, this is what he or she will receive. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air. What is the difference between a passport book and. Whether you need a passport book or card for your travels, come on down to the nearest travel visa pro to discuss your options. 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. Both a passport book and a passport card are valid for 10 years after being. Did you know the term passport can actually refer to two different documents a passport book and a passport card. If you want to get a card along with your next passport renewal, make note of the following requirements.
One is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. 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. 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. Carry both the card and the passport book in case of an emergency and you need to fly home. 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. People are increasingly getting the passport book and card. Nov 04, 2014 conveniently, both the passport book and the passport card have the same renewal period. The only thing that confuses me was the mention of submit your most recently issued passport book andor passport card on form ds82 passport renewal by mail and similar wordings such as i can submit my most recent u. A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air. If you have a us passport book, there really is no need to get the passport card. Apr 06, 2016 its easy to get a passport card for your child when you apply for their minor passport book.
If you dont mind the expense, you may opt for both the passport book and the passport card. Nov 07, 2016 on that page, make sure to select that you want both a passport book and card. If you want to renew either a valid book or a card, you must submit the specific document you want to renew. Both passport books and cards are valid for 10 years, so if it fits your travel plans, the passport card can be a. If you lose your passport book you still have your passport card and vice versa. Whether you get the passport bookcard both are valid for 10 years. Requirements to get a passport card with your passport renewal. Of the internal pages, 17 are blank pages marked visas that are meant for travel visas and country entry and exit stamps.
To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to. Why would anyone want to travel using a passport card except for short cross border trips between the u. If you want to renew both a valid passport book and passport card, you must submit both documents. Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. Passport the application process is the same for either the passport book or card, even if you want both at the same time. A passport book may not be a massive document by any means, but having something as small as the card to fit in your wallet is definitely less of a hassle. Can you upgrade from a passport card to a passport book answers.
A passport book is the official bookstyle document that allows a us citizen to travel internationally by land, sea or air. The us passport book vs passport card salon prive mag. Oct 06, 2012 the only thing that confuses me was the mention of submit your most recently issued passport book and or passport card on form ds82 passport renewal by mail and similar wordings such as i can submit my most recent u. If you ever want to fly to another country or even do a cruise outside of the countries where the cards are valid, get the book. 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.
Minor children will need to have their passports renewed every 5 years until they reach 16 years of age. Also, if you get a passport card separately from your passport, it has a different number and expiration date also costs a bit more. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. Both the book and the card are equally valid as proof of identity and citizenship, and can be used for domestic air travel. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. Both the passport book and passport card serve as proof of your u. It was designed for people who travel frequently between the u. Feb 12, 2019 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. If you want to apply for a passport card and currently have a valid traditional passport, you can simply download and file form ds82. 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. If you think having both will serve your purpose, then go ahead and get them.
When you fill out your passport renewal application form online, youll come to a page called passport products and fees. 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. Can you upgrade from a passport card to a passport book. Oct 16, 2017 the passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. Travel articles do you need a passport or a passport card. I previously had a regular passport holder, which was just a sleeve for my passport. You will need to specify on the application whether you are applying only for the passport card or for both a passport book and a passport card. What is the difference between a passport book and passport card. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is not requried that you obtain both. The us passport card is a credit card sized identification document. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. Passport card may 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. If you dont want to spend the money for the full passport i would save what.
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. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults, and five years for. For example, if you can submit a passport book, but you lost your passport card, you cannot renew the passport card. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. This will be the first time i leave the country and fly in an airplane. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. If i have both a passport card and a passport book, do i.
Enhanced drivers license many people may not know but depending on the. The passport card has benefits, but does not offer the same list of privileges as a traditional passport. Its easy to get a passport card for your child when you apply for their minor passport book. All you have to do is mark the passport application to show you are requesting both the passport book and passport card. Minors under age 16 will need to submit copies of both parents passports or drivers licenses. Feb 12, 2018 if you applied for both the passport book and the card, they probably wont be returned in the same envelope. While youre not absolutely required to have a government issued photo id to fly domestically, having one will surely make it.
Department of state passport services recently began issuing the passport card as an alternative to the traditional passport book. You may have heard about the passport card that the united states department of state now issues. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. Passport books are valid for all international travel, no matter what the mode of transit is.
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. Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. A passport book is valid for all types of travel land, sea or air to any destination. If i have both a passport card and a passport book, do i need to renew them together. If you still got any questions about whether you need a passport book or card, please contact travel visa pro. Adults will need to have their passport renewed every 10 years. The passport card is designed to be a less expensive and more.
An adult passport card looks similar to a drivers license, and is valid for ten years. 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. Passport book vs passport card for kids the dis disney. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. Check the appropriate box on your application form and ensure staff is aware you want both book and card. While the passport card is more convenient due to its size, it is far more restricted in use than the passport book.
The last thing you or your family would want in the case of a medical. The passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to barbados. Although not required on closed loop sailings, which call at foreign ports but sail roundtrip from the u. If you want to travel outside of the us, you will need either a valid us passport or a us passport card.
The passport book is the traditional multipage document that border agents stamp as you travel through. Passport books are larger than cards and come with many pages for customs stamps. 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. Find uses and advantages of a passport book and a passport card and figure out which one is best for you, or if you should have both documents. The passport card is only valid for entry into the united states at land border crossings or sea ports of entry. I need to purchase my passport, but i dont know if i need just the book, or just the card, or both. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. Sometimes it makes life more convenient to have both a passport book and a card, and carry them both on your international travel. The us passport book vs passport card debate has many of us confused as to which one we should apply. The passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us.
Mar 18, 2020 the passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. I f youve wondered what the difference is between a passport book and a passport card, youve come to the right place. If you have a passport card, you can also use it to drive across the canadian border and to. Can i renew my usa passport book and passport card separately. In this post, you will get the benefits of having both documents. If you already hold a passport book, your card will be issued with a different number. Nov 20, 2017 someone needing to take a flight to paris, or hop a freighter to new zealand may consider applying for both a passport book and card at the same time and only take the one they need. Both documents are valid for 10 years for adults 16 and older, and 5 years for those under the age of 16. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport. Jan 08, 2020 both passport books and cards are valid for 10 years.
Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport. In a short period of time, passport services received over 350,000 applications for the passport card. The passport card contains a radio frequency identification chip as well as the traditional photograph and personal information found in a passport book. If you lose your passport book, you can still travel to mexico and canada if necessary using your passport card i have both of them, because when i went to get my passport book renewed, the passport officer said, quoting him, sir, if you are planning on visiting canada or mexico, you might wish to have both, because only the more convenienttocarry card will be needed for those places. On the printed version of the application, this option appears at the very top of the first page of the 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. Practical travel safety and security issues why would you want a passport card.
Get a passport card with your passport renewal g3passports. S citizens that want to travel by land or sea to canada, mexico, and the caribbean. The primary justification i had for doing so was tha. While traveling domestically, if my state drivers license is lost or stolen, i wont be able to get a new one until i return home. That being said, i recently got one simply because it is convenient to use in. Aug 18, 2016 one is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. First of all, a passport card can be used for travel by sea to barbados. 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. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. I currently have a passport card that was issued in june 2009. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips.
If you still got any questions about us passport book and card, you can always contact travel visa pro. More often than not a passport card is applied for in conjunction with a passport book. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. Difference between a passport book and passport card. There is one thing i can tell you about both documents. Does a passport card work to go to canada by train. Passport service guide for requirements, instructions and tips for expediting american passports as quickly as the same day. Photocopy of your drivers license or other stateissued id front and back. I dont need to be busy looking for the passport, flight ticket and cash at. If you lose one or the other then both do not have to be replaced at the same time. If i have both a passport card and a passport book, do i need.
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