Department of state website to learn how to apply for a passport and what documents you need. A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. The passport card is a walletsized identification card that proves us citizenship. The traditional passport book is still required for most travel purposes. The good news is a passport card is generally valid for the same time and has the same application process as a 26 or 52page passport book. Department of state website, including requirements for first time applicants, how to renew your passport and what the current fees and procedures are. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their travels abroad. 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. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. Any prior passport book or card must be turned in cfr 22. The application form, requirements, and procedure will be the same as applying for a passport book see above.
Although, keep in mind, while both can be used as forms of id when traveling, the passport card has some restrictions. Please do not send passport applications to the united states. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. If you have a passport card, you can also use it to drive across the canadian border and to. The passport book comes as either 28 or 52 pages and is valid for five years. A passport card can be used to enter the us states at land border crossing or seaportsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. It attests to your united states citizenship and your identity. Only available for passport book applicants in the united states not canada. If you need to apply in person all children under age 16 and firsttime applicants, many passport acceptance facilities, which include libraries, clerks of court, and post offices, are not accepting u. They have been available to us citizens since 2008, and are meant to be a convenient way to prove your identity and citizenship. You should expect significant delays if you applied for or renewed your passport and requested routine service.
The passport card was designed with the northern and southern u. 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. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. The passport card contains a vicinityread radio frequency identification rfid chip. The card cannot be used for international air travel. 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. For children age 15 and under, the passport is valid for 5 years and for adults 16 and older it is valid for 10 years. The passport card facilitates entry and expedites document processing at u. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card.
It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. 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 and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. Below is a handy list of pros and cons to help you decide. 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. To date, more than 17 million passport cards have been issued, according to the state department, representing about 10 percent of all passport holders. A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air. Save yourself hassle with expedited passport services if you dont have the time or patience for applying for your u. Passport books and cards are alternatives to a stateissued id. Passport cards were largely designed to be a smaller, less expensive alternative to a traditional passport book. If issued for the full validity, they are both proof of your u. The passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us.
Differences between a passport book and passport card. The total amount will depend on the service you require and any additional services you might need or want. It was designed for people who travel frequently between the us and canada, mexico, bermuda or the caribbean by land or sea. A passport book is a product of the federal government. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. Use the 2020 passport fees table to help you calculate the cost of getting your passport. To be considered as an adult you must be 16 or older, and to be considered a minor, you must be 15 or less. Passport application status due to public health measures to prevent the spread of covid19, we suspended offering expedited service on march 19, 2020.
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. To enter the united states at land border crossings or sea portsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda, you can use a passport book or a passport card. Deciding which is best for you boils down to where youre traveling, how frequently you travel, and your budget. This service is not available for passport card applicants. United states passports are passports issued to citizens and nationals of the united states of america. The us passport card is a credit cardsized identification document. The us passport card is a credit card sized identification document. A passport card serves the same purpose as a passport book. Passport card can be used to enter the united states from canada, mexico. The united states passport card is an official identity and limited travel document issued by the.
H ave you ever wished your passport could fit inside your wallet. Can you use the passport card for travel to the bahamas. Passport card difference between passport book and passport card u. But given the card s restrictions, does it even make sense for a u. See the chart below to decide which is best for you. Finally, your passport card will be returned to you. The passport book is the traditional multipage document that border agents stamp as you travel through. A us passport allows you to travel anywhere in the world by plane, car, or boat. But the passport book that most americans are familiar with isnt the only kind of travel document available in the us theres also the passport. A passport card is the same size as a drivers license, and is official proof of your identity and us citizenship. The passport card contains a radio frequency identification chip as well as the traditional photograph and personal information found in a passport book. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. Learn more on our covid19 update page and our frequently asked questions page.
They can be used for land or sea travel to canada, mexico, bermuda. Apply for a us passport all information on requirements for u. Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. Therefore, a statement is required when applying for a new u. Otherwise, it carries the rights and privileges of the u. Application form ds11 can be used in order to apply for a passport book, passport card or both. To enter and leave the united states, a us passport holder must use their passport book. The us passport card can be useful in a number of situations. Us passport book and passport card online application. Passport cards are a form of us passport that are the size of a credit card or driver s license. It is an alternative to carrying a conventional passport book and is valid for land and sea travel to and from mexico, canada, bermuda, and the caribbean.
April 15, 2020 update because of public health measures to prevent the spread of covid19, effective march 20, we have limited u. State department issues two versions of a passport. It serves the same purpose as a regular passport book in that it allows you to prove both your united states citizenship and your identity while youre traveling around the world. However, there is nothing stopping a us citizen from obtaining passports from other countries and using them for travel, as long as neither the origin or destination of travel is the united states. 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.
A us passport card is used as a federal id and is only good for travel to canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at land border crossings or sea portsofentry and is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. 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. Entering the united states at land border crossings and sea portsofentry from. 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. Passport card basically a limiteduse passport enhanced drivers licenseacts both as a driver license and a travel document, but also with limits well walk you through the basic differences of each of these documents, and help you determine which one is right for you. Please contact npic if you do not receive the second or third mailing within 10 business days of the previous mailing. How many photos are required when applying for both the passport book and passport card on the same application. What if i want both a passport book and a passport card. Passport card the standard passport book covers all the bases. If you are traveling to canada or mexico or bermuda or the caribbean or within the united states, it can come in handy, especially if you dont want to carry around your actual passport.
Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. Passport fees 2020 for routine and expedited services. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their. 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.
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