If you already have a passport or if you are renewing your passport card, you might be able to submit your application by mail. In order to apply for your first passport card, you ll need the same documentation you need to apply for a passport book. Differences between a passport book and passport card. Although not required on closed loop sailings, which call at foreign ports but sail roundtrip from the u. That being said, i recently got one simply because it is convenient to use in situations where the passport book is not needed namely, everywhere besides nonneighboring national borders. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults, and five years for travelers under age 16. If you have a us passport book, there really is no need to get the passport card. The only exception is that you may use a passport card in order to enter the united states by a land border crossing or at a sea portofentry. 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. 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.
Only one execution fee is charged for an individual applying for both a card and book at the same time. What is a passport card, and what should you know when youre considering a passport book vs. If you already only have the passport book, you can get the passport card as well when you apply for your next passport renewal. Passport cards cannot be used for international air travel. I cant submit my passport book, i need it for work. It is a credit card sized, 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. State department issues two versions of a passport. An adult passport card looks similar to a drivers license, and is valid for ten years. However, depending on where you re travelling, you might be ok with just the card. It can also be used for domestic air travel in the usa. Both passport books and cards are valid for 10 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. If you have lost your passport, you may have to show some additional documentation such as a copy of your official birth certificate or other.
If you already hold a valid passport book, you may apply for a passport card by mail with form ds82. In a short period of time, passport services received over 350,000 applications for the passport card. The bahamian government only requires proof of citizenship e. Otherwise, it carries the rights and privileges of the u. You cannot use a passport card when traveling by air internationally. You must have the original copies of all required documents. 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. How to apply for a new passport card rush my passport. 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. In this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel.
You only need a passport book if you travel by air. Unfortunately, you cannot upgrade your passport card to a passport book. You can also apply for the passport book and the passport card at the same time when you re utilizing the ds11 new passport application for new passport. Your passport book allows you to travel by land, by sea, or by air. However, if you can be reasonably sure you will only travel by land or sea, or if you only need your passport as another form of identification, then a passport card is cheaper and easier to carry than a book. Can you use the passport card for travel to the bahamas. Adult passports are valid for 10 years and may be renewed by mail. You can mail your renewal application directly to the state department yourself.
I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. Most travelers are familiar with acquiring and using a passport book, as its required for international air travel. If you have a valid passport book, you do not have to get a passport card as well. The passport card is only accepted at land and sea border crossings between the u. However, depending on your method of entry into mexico, you may not need a passport book. In 2008, the united states government introduced a passport card, which can be used to travel to some countries. As the others have said, its really only good as a backup in case you lose the real us passport book. 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. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail.
We compare the two to help you decide which type of id is best for you. To enter canada, your passport book or card must be valid at the time of entry. There are several options when it comes to forms of identification for travel. Both the passport book and passport card serve as proof of your u. Should i get a passport card to go along with my passport.
The passport book is a real passport, and allows you to fly internationally. I suggest you get the card since you are going on a cruise. Can you upgrade from a passport card to a passport book. Passport book allows you to travel by land, sea and air. 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. Yes, if you have a passport card, you can obtain a passport book at any time. A passport book is required for all international travel by air. The passport book allows for all travel, by air, land, and sea and you ll need the passport book in order to receive a travel visa. Carry both the passport card and the passport book in case of an emergency and you need to fly home.
I read somewhere that a birth certificate is also considered proof of citizenship. Americans may enter the unites states from the bahamas by sea using a passport, passport card, or other western. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. Not only do they look different, they serve slightly different purposes.
If you are applying for both a book and a card at the same time, you only need to submit one passport. The us passport card is quite useless in form and substance. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. Yes, passport cards can be renewed just like passport books.
The department of state is issuing the passport card in response to the needs of border resident communities for a less expensive and more portable alternative to the traditional passport book. If so, you ve probably noticed the option for a passport card. I have a passport card, but also need a passport book for overseas. How to know if you need a passport book or passport card. When you get ready to renew your passport, make sure you have the actual physical book or card. If you got any questions about whether you need a passport book or card, please contact travel visa pro we are always ready to help you. If you get a passport book and card at the same time, they will expire at the same time. The passport card is also commonly used for travelers that wish to take a cruise but do not plan on ever traveling by plane. The card is for people who frequently drive across the border but dont intend to fly. Any time you board an international flight, you will need a valid us passport book.
Try using it for id at the airport when going thru the tsa checkpoints, and you ll soon find out. If you are traveling on to europe, you ll need a passport with at least three months of remaining validity from. 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. 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. I believe getting the passport card is the same price as getting a passport book renewal. If you are applying for a passport, youll need to consider whether to get a passport book or a passport card. The card has the same validity period as a passport book. Passport cards, like passport books, are valid for 10 years from the date of issue or 5 years, for children age 15 and younger. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card.
Travel articles do you need a passport or a passport card. Depending on where you are traveling outside of the u. A us passport card can only be used for land and sea travel to canada, mexico or the caribbean. When traveling to mexico for bariatric surgery, patients will need to have a valid passport book. Get a passport card with your passport renewal g3passports. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. The state departments website offers complete details and an online application form. If you do not meet the requirements for renewal by. To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to indicate that you. But, when you refer to a passport for international. A passport book is always required to travel internationally. Do i need a passport book, passport card, or passport book. A passport card provides valid identification for national travel, but only provides valid identification for certain types of international travel.
A passport book provides valid identification for any national or international travel. Of the internal pages, 17 are blank pages marked visas that are meant for travel visas and country entry and exit stamps. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card. If you already hold a passport book, your card will be issued with a different number. What is the difference between a passport book and. This has, unsurprisingly, caused a lot of confusion for individuals. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport. How to get a passport card when renewing your passport. If im remembering correctly, you can use your passport card when travelling by land or sea. You ll need to submit both documents when you do your next renewal. You will need a passport book if you plan to travel by airplane.
How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. We compare the two to help you decide which type of id is best. You will also need a new passport photo, a completed ds82 if submitting by mail and the application fee. The primary justification i had for doing so was tha. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. 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. Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages. Department of state passport services recently began issuing the passport card as an alternative to the traditional passport book. If you lose your passport book you still have your passport card and vice versa.
To enter the united states at land border crossings or sea portsofentry from canada, mexico, the. If you ve never had a us passport before, this article outlines how you go about getting a passport book not passport card for the first time if you re living in the us and are an adult. Select both and you will pay additional fees for the passport book and passport card. If you need an emergency passport for immediate international travel or for reasons. 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. Ds11 only has options under have you ever had either a passport card book for no, loststolen, or submitted with application. They are valid for five years from the date of issue, just like a minor passport book. If you re a citizen of the united states, and you re 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 united states passport card is an official identity and limited travel document issued by the. Difference between a passport book and passport card. However, before you apply for a new passport card, consider carefully whether or not you might be better off getting a us passport book.
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