The passport card is designed to be a less expensive and more. Duration of validity, 10 years for adults, 5 years for minors under 16. Passport renewal for adult with previous passport issued as a minor by. 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. I f youve wondered what the difference is between a passport book and a passport card, youve come to the right place. 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. Did you know the term passport can actually refer to two different documents a passport book and a passport card. Validity of a passport book is 10 years for adults, 5 years for minors under age 16. 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. State department issues two versions of a passport. The us passport card is a credit cardsized identification document. 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. While youre not absolutely required to have a government issued photo id to fly domestically, having one will surely make it.
Is a question frequently asked by our readers if you are traveling to mexico, canada, and the caribbean as a u. Difference between passport book and passport card. Read below for more info on how to get your passport fast. S citizens that want to travel by land or sea to canada, mexico, and the caribbean. Children too young to get a drivers license or other stateissued identification card. Depending on your budget and travel plans, you can choose between a passport card or book. He went in to the office with all the required documents and.
The difference between a passport book and passport card. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. 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. No passport or passport card is required to travel to overseas u. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. It was designed for people who travel frequently between the us and canada, mexico, bermuda or the caribbean by land or sea. The passport book comes as either 28 or 52 pages and is valid for five years. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. The adult and minor passport card fees are about the same. A passport card can provide a more convenient, cheaper alternative to carrying your passport book. A passport book is a common source of identification for many travelers. Passport renewal for adult with previous passport issued. All you have to do is mark the passport application to show you are requesting both the passport book and passport card. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book.
There are different passport card fees depending on if you are an adult or a minor. If you need a passport faster than 23 weeks, a thirdparty expediting service can submit your passport application for you for same day processing. A passport card can be used to enter the us states at land border crossing or seaportsof. 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. The passport book has plenty of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps, while the passport card is a onepiece creditcardsized id card. It comes with many blank pages to be stamped at customs. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. The passport card is only valid for land and sea travel to canada, mexico, and the caribbean. From passport cards to global entry, which trusted. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. The passport card is a cheaper alternative to the passport book. 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 card. 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. What is the differences between passport book vs passport. Passport book booklet style id travel document standard passport book has 28 pages. Find a passport application acceptance facility card. It will otherwise carry the rights and privileges of the u. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison diffen. If you hold a valid us passport, you can apply for your first passport card by mail as though it were a renewal because the department of state already has your information on file. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. 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.
Us passport book and passport card online application. A us passport allows you to travel anywhere in the world by plane, car, or boat. Effective march 24, 2020, the issuance of passport books and cards has been suspended until further notice. A passport book is a product of the federal government. 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. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport. You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a passport book. The card may not be used to travel by air outside the united states. You can now apply for a passport book and a passport 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. The primary justification i had for doing so was tha. A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land sea.
Government fees have increased, but they havent increased the speed. The passport card is a useful travel document if you travel frequently to bermuda, the caribbean, mexico or canada by land or sea. 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. Normally, when a person obtains a passport, this is what he or she will receive. Read on to learn how you can apply for your passport card and lighten your load for your next journey. We can send your passport book via a 12 day delivery service. A passport card serves as official identification and proof of your us citizenship. A passport book is required for all international travel by air. Please contact npic if you do not receive a second mailing within 10 business days of receiving the first. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. A passport card can only be used to travel by land or sea. The difference between a passport book or card getaway usa. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. A passport book is valid for any international travel by air, sea or land.
If you still got any questions about us passport book and card, you can always contact travel visa pro. The passport book has lots of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps. In a short period of time, passport services received over 350,000 applications for the passport card. My son applied at our local passport office in maryland in person. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. Passport book and passport card are two terms that are often used these days by many citizens of the united states who are applying for a passport for the first time. Differences between a passport book and passport card.
The passport card will facilitate entry and expedite document processing at u. If youre applying for a passport card for the first time, youll want to find a passport. 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. For children age 15 and under, the passport is valid for 5 years and for adults 16 and older it is valid for10 years. It can be used for land or sea travel to canada, mexico, and many caribbean islands, but it is not valid for any international travel by air.
Passport the application process is the same for either the passport book or card, even if you want both at the same time. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for. Now that youve signed the passport and made the passport book valid, open to page seven. 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.
Department of state passport services recently began issuing the passport card as an alternative to the traditional passport book. Difference between a passport book and passport card. Passport cards are a cardsized version of a us passport. It was introduced on july 18th, 2008 and over 7 million passport cards have been issued since then. A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air. Passport card frequently asked questions with answers. Difference between passport book and passport card can be a new subject to you if you are not a citizen of the united states of america. Your passport is valid for ten years minor passports are only valid for five. We want you to know about a few differences between the book. If you only applied for a passport card, the card will be sent to you via first class mail. We only send the passport card via first class mail. A passport book is the official bookstyle document that allows a us citizen to travel internationally by land, sea or air. A passport card is valid for travel to and from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda at land border crossings and sea portsofentry.
Weigh the cost of a passport versus a passport card. From passport cards to global entry, which trustedtraveler program is right for you. Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. The passport card contains a radio frequency identification chip as well as the traditional photograph and personal information found in a passport book. Vip passports and visa services united states passport agency specializes in american passports, us passports, passport renewals, passport applications, passports forms, birth certificates, notary services, visas, and passports in less than 24 hours. 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. Wondering whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. Can only be used in land and sea travels, not by air. You can use form ds82 to renew your passport book at the same time you apply for your first passport card. A passport card is an acceptable id for flying domestically, according to tsa. Will my passport card have the same number as my passport book. The card comes in very handy because it is much easier to handle. The passport signature is not required for the passport card.
To be considered as an adult you must be 16 or older, and to be. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. The size of a passport book is approximately 5 x 3. It is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors under 16. You may receive your newlyissued passport card and your citizenship documents in two separate mailings. I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time. Passport book can be used for international travel via land, sea, or air. 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.
Both the passport book and passport card serve as proof of your u. Any us citizen wishing to travel internationally via air must have a passport book. They are valid for five years from the date of issue, just like a minor passport book. An additional expedited postal fee will apply as well. We do not use 12 day delivery services for passport cards. The passport book is valid for all international travel. Whats the difference between a passport book and a.
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