When you apply for a passport card, youll spend less money than you would when. Passport cards are a form of us passport that are the size of a credit card or drivers license. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is not requried that you obtain both. The passport card is only valid for land and sea travel to canada, mexico, and the caribbean. A passport card is cheaper than a passport book, but cant be used for air travel and. Both documents are valid for 10 years for adults 16 and older, and 5 years for those under the age of 16. Of course, in theory its only officially valid for international land or sea travel between the united states, canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. Passport cards and passport books are no exception. Passport cards are wallet sized while the passport book is larger and thicker. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. You still need a valid drivers license to operate a motor vehicle. Travel articles do you need a passport or a passport card. The state departments website offers complete details and an online application form.
The passport book has lots of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps. 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. If youre thinking of going on a cruise, the passport card might be nice when you need a. First you will need to gather the required documents for a passport card. One instance could be, if you want to travel to jamaica, youll need a passport book. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. A passport book provides valid identification for any national or international travel. 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. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv.
Should americans have both a passport book and a passport. Ed perkins a nationally recognized reporter, writer, and consumer advocate, ed perkins focuses on how travelers can find the best deals and avoid. What is the difference between a passport book and passport card. Aug 18, 2016 one is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. Unless you use the mobile passport app, youll have to. 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. Department of state passport services recently began issuing the passport card as an alternative to the traditional passport book.
For more information about the california real id, visit the dmv website. They have been available to us citizens since 2008, and are meant to be a convenient way to prove your identity and citizenship. Enhanced drivers license many people may not know but depending on the state that you live in a third option is available to you. The passport card can be used for identification purposes. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. 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.
Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. While the passport card is more convenient due to its size, it is far more restricted in use than the passport book. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is not required that you obtain both. Your passport book allows you to travel by land, by sea, or by air. That means you cannot use the passport card for air travel.
Difference between passport book and passport card compare. If you dont want to spend the money for the full passport i would save what. You should always wear identification, so i would suggest bringing your passport its a must and carry you card in. Enhanced drivers license many people may not know but depending on the. 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. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. 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.
Both firsttime applicants and renewing applicants pay more for passports than they do for passport cards. Jan 18, 2018 does a passport card work to go to canada by train. Jun 02, 2018 whether you need a passport book or card for your travels, come on down to the nearest travel visa pro to discuss your options. The fee to obtain a passport card and passport book also changes. If you already hold a passport book, your card will be issued with a different number. I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time. Any us citizen wishing to travel internationally via air must have a passport book. In a short period of time, passport services received over 350,000 applications for the passport card. Differences between a passport book and passport card.
Whether you get the passport book card both are valid for 10 years. The passport card is a walletsize identification card with your picture, information, and barcode. While a passport book is valid for all types of travel land, sea or air to any destination. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel.
Sometimes it makes life more convenient to have both a passport book and a card, and carry them both on your international travel. This isnt an answer, though, since i m not positive. Carry both the card and the passport book in case of an emergency and you need to fly home. 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. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. Both passport books and cards are valid for 10 years. I f youve wondered what the difference is between a passport book and a passport card, youve come to the right place. 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. Does a passport card work to go to canada by train. 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. If you still got any questions about whether you need a passport book or card, please contact travel visa pro.
Oct 16, 2017 the passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. However, people find a passport card more convenient and accessible when carrying. Oct 07, 2017 whether you get the passport book card both are valid for 10 years. A passport book is valid for all types of travel land, sea or air to any destination. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. The other is the passport card, which is just like a drivers license. In addition to this, we have passport card, this is a card which is used for only land and sea travel on the listed countries in italic on the card. Start today by applying for or renewing your passport. It is also used for domestic travel to countries by land or sea. 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. Applying regular or expediting the passport card is very simple if you follow the instructions below.
What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. A book allows you to travel anywhere else assuming you have all the other documents, visas etc. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. Compare cards compare card offers sidebyside comparisons get a card. The passport card is only valid for entry into the united states at land border crossings or sea ports of entry. Passport book vs passport card for kids the dis disney. They can be used for land or sea travel to canada, mexico, bermuda. 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. If you want to apply for a passport card and currently have a valid traditional passport, you can simply download and file form ds82. A passport, passport card or california identification card is not a substitute for a drivers license. 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. These countries include canada, mexico, and the caribbean. 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. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport.
The passport card is smaller when compared to the size of passport book. Difference between passport book and passport card. An adult passport card looks similar to a drivers license, and is valid for ten years. If you are applying for a passport, youll need to consider whether to get a passport book or a passport card. For more information about passports and passport cards, visit the u. 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. If issued for the full validity, they are both proof of your u. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. See the chart below to decide which is best for you. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card. Although not required on closed loop sailings, which call at foreign ports but sail roundtrip from the u.
Learn more about how a passport card differs from a passport book. Getting a card only allows you to visit canada and mexico. Cant see a reason youd need both other than another form of id that fits in your wallet. I suspect that if you are applying for a passport card alone then they only care about the old card and not the book theyd also care about the book only if you were applying for both, so just not checking any of those options and not including the book with the application might work. 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 so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. While both passport book and card are valid to cross into. The passport book is valid for all international travel.