The biggest difference between a passport book and passport card is that passport cards are only valid to enter canada, mexico, bermuda, and. Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages. If you plan to travel by air, then you will need a passport book. Both documents are valid for 10 years for adults 16 and older, and 5 years for those under the age of 16. If so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. The difference between passport and passport card us.
Reasons to get a passport book or card a passport card and book are both considered us passports. A passport card is a smaller version of a passport book and fits inside a wallet. 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 book is required for all international travel by air. It is intended to be used in place of the standard u. If none of these apply to you, then you must apply for a passport in person. 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. It was designed for people who travel frequently between the u.
You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a passport book. Passport cards are valid for land and sea travel to and from canada, mexico and the countries of the caribbean. It will otherwise carry the rights and privileges of the u. Jun 20, 2019 passport book is valid for international travel by air, sea, or land. It can be used for travel to 31 countries in the european union eu and european economic area eea plus switzerland.
Application form ds11 can be used in order to apply for a passport book, passport card or both. Your personal details must be an exact match of the. Our records indicate that your membership is more than 45 days expired. For complete instructions and a link to download the form, click the link below. The us passport card is a small passport card, about the size of a credit card, that contains your photo and identifying information. If issued for the full validity, they are both proof of your u. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. Carry both the card and the passport book in case of an emergency and you need to fly home. Only one execution fee is charged for an individual applying for both a card and book at the same time. You can mail your renewal application directly to the state department yourself. For uninterrupted access to the program, please renew your membership today. It is smaller and more convenient to carry than a passport book, and it is less expensive to obtain.
The card may not be used to travel by air outside the united states. They are valid for five years from the date of issue, just like a minor passport book. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. 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. Aug 10, 2012 a passport book is bigger than a passport card. 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. All data is fully secure and not passed to any third party. It can also be used for domestic air travel in the usa. Although, keep in mind, while both can be used as forms of id. To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to. The passport card is basically an individual credit cardsized id. The traditional passport book is still required for most travel purposes. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. If you are traveling by air or to most countries, you will need a traditional passport book, with pages for your various visas.
Both the passport book and passport card serve as proof of your u. Adult passports are valid for 10 years and may be renewed by mail. The ds11 form contains this text applicable to us citizens who were born in the us. Can you use the passport card for travel to the bahamas. Save yourself hassle with expedited passport services if you dont have the time or patience for applying for your u. Differences between a passport book and passport card.
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. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. The passport book has plenty of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps, while the passport card is a onepiece creditcardsized id card. The passport card is available to all irish citizens who hold a valid irish passport book. A passport card can provide a more convenient, cheaper alternative to carrying your passport book.
Can i renew my passport book to get a passport card and a. The passport card will facilitate entry and expedite document processing at u. Can i upgrade from a passport card to 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. 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. A previous passport book holder, eligible to use form ds82, may apply for a passport card as a renewal. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. How to apply for a new passport card rush my passport. 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. This service is not available for passport card applicants. Difference between passport book and passport card. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. 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.
The card cannot be used for international air travel. A passport card is cheaper than a passport book, but cant be used for air travel and is only valid in canada, mexico, bermuda, and the caribbean. 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. You may be able to apply for a passport card without submitting your passport book. Passport books and cards are alternatives to a stateissued id. Difference between passport book and passport card compare. Passport the application process is the same for either the passport book or card, even if you want both at the same time. If i already have a passport book, can i use the ds82 to get a passport card. 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. A passport is commonly used to prove us citizenship, but it isnt the only method. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. Therefore, a statement is required when applying for a new u. The us passport card is a credit cardsized identification document. These come in the form of a traditional passport book, along with a passport card.
A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air. See the chart below to decide which is best for you. A passport card can be used to enter the us states at land border crossing or seaportsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. A us passport card can only be used for land and sea travel to canada, mexico or the caribbean. The passport card is smaller when compared to the size of passport book. The purpose of the passport card is to offer a more convenient option than a regular passport book for us residents who frequently cross the border, typically by land to and from mexico and canada, but also for people who cruise to the bahamas and the caribbean. 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. The card cant be used for international air travel. 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. Apr 06, 2016 all you have to do is mark the passport application to show you are requesting both the passport book and passport card. For more information view our passport first time issuances and renewal instructions. 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. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their travels abroad. Find a passport application acceptance facility card.
Currently takes 6 weeks regular processing or 3 expedited. A passport card carries many of the same benefits as a passport book, it just resembles a credit card and has certain restrictions. Passport card is wallet sized document while passport book size is 5. You can use this creditcardsized document to reenter the united states from mexico, canada, bermuda and the caribbean when traveling by land or sea. No, you must simply apply for the passport book now. As passport books allows more activities as compare to passport card so they tend to cost more as well. Adults will need to have their passport renewed every 10 years. Can i renew my usa passport book and passport card separately. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips.
The other is the passport card, which is just like a drivers license. If you are traveling by air or to most countries, you will need a. In this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. 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. Passport card department of foreign affairs and trade. One is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped.
The united states passport card is an official identity and. You have the freedom to choose which one you wish to have to depend on the country you are planning to travel to. You must prove both us citizenship and identity in a passport or passport card application. The passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. When you apply for a passport card, youll spend less money than you would when. In contrast, a passport card is similar in purpose to a passport book but much more limited in scope. Read on to learn how you can apply for your passport card and lighten your load for your next journey. Otherwise, it carries the rights and privileges of the u. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. Applying for a passport card by mail will take up to 8 weeks.
Passport cards requested by mail are always shipped back. It is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors under 16. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. If youre applying for a passport card for the first time, youll want to find a passport. The us passport card is a credit card sized identification document. What is the difference between a passport book and. Of the internal pages, 17 are blank pages marked visas that are meant for travel visas and country entry and exit stamps. The passport card shares the same validity period as the passport book. The passport card contains a radio frequency identification chip as well as the traditional photograph and personal information found in a passport book. Mar 18, 2020 the passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. All you have to do is mark the passport application to show you are requesting both the passport book and passport card.
A passport book is valid for any international travel by air, sea or land. Please contact npic if you do not receive the second or third mailing within 10 business days of the previous mailing. 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. 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. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. Passport card is also valid for international travel but by land or sea only. The fee to obtain a passport card and passport book also changes. The us passport book vs passport card salon prive mag. All passport cards will be mailed using first class mail only. The passport book is the traditional multipage document that border agents stamp as you travel through. However, before you apply for a new passport card, consider carefully whether or not you might be better off getting a us passport book. Passport book is valid for international travel by air, sea, or land. You can use form ds82 to renew your passport book at the same time you apply for your first passport card.
I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land sea. Minor children will need to have their passports renewed every 5 years until they reach 16 years of age. The passport card facilitates entry and expedites document processing at u.
Us passport book and passport card online application. Only available for passport book applicants in the united states not canada. Your personal details must be an exact match of the details that appear in your passport book. 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, and those not eligible to use the form ds82, should apply for a passport card using form ds11. 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. The passport cards usefulness as an international travel identification document is so limited, its not adequate for most of its intended use. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. Note, passport cards can only be used for travel by land and sea. If you have a passport card, you can also use it to drive across the canadian border and to. A passport card is valid for travel to and from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda at land border crossings and sea portsofentry. Nov 04, 2014 conveniently, both the passport book and the passport card have the same renewal period. There is a place on the application to check whether you want to apply for a passport card, passport book or both.