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. As passport books allows more activities as compare to passport card so they tend to cost more as well. Excellent form of official identification for children or nondrivers. 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. To be considered as an adult you must be 16 or older, and to be considered a minor, you must be 15 or less. The passport card is good to get into canada or mexico the passport book is used to get into all countries. 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. A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. A passport card is less expensive than a traditional passport book. Although, keep in mind, while both can be used as forms of id. Renewal cost of the passport book and passport card. In july of 2008, due to requests from residents along us borders for a more portable and easier application process than a regular passport, the united states department of state began issuing passport cards, a wallet sized identity card usable for international travel by land and sea, valid only for travel to canada, mexico, the.
Along with allowing for international travel, passports can be used to prove your identity and citizenship, especially when you need multiple forms of identification. The only distinction i can think of that might make you want to have both an edl and a passport card is the information on the face of the cards. What is the differences between passport book vs passport. Applying for a new passport or passport card quicklyeither before or after the april 2 deadline passesmay be a good idea. Us passport book and passport card online application. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. I dont see any benefit of carrying both on a particular trip since theres no situation where a passport card is valid but a passport book is not, the entire purpose of the passport card is so that you dont have to carry around your passport book. A passport card can be used to enter the us states at land border crossing or seaportsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. You cannot use the passport card for international air travel, even when you reenter the u. Department of state passport services recently began issuing the passport card as an alternative to the traditional passport book. Whats the difference between a passport book and a.
We have been even using our passports for domestic travel the last few yrs. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a. You can use this creditcardsized document to reenter the united states from mexico, canada, bermuda and the caribbean when traveling by land or sea. 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. Again, this is only if you want a passport card but youve never had a passport before. You can just slip it in your wallet, right behind your drivers license. Passport book is valid for international travel by air, sea, or land. The difference between a passport book or card getaway usa. The official terms are passport book and passport card they are both passports. It is even cheaper to buy both a passport and passport card at one time. A passport card is cheaper than a passport book, but cant be used for air travel and. In a short period of time, passport services received over 350,000 applications for the passport card. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their travels abroad.
If so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. The adult and minor passport card fees are about the same. The walletsized passport card is designed to be more convenient and less cumbersome than regular passports. How to get a passport in indiana if you are looking to obtain an in passport card andor booklet for the first time, you must visit an acceptance facility or the indiana passport agency in. As like the passport book, the card also must be renewed after validation gets completed.
Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. We do not accept cheques certifies, or personal checks. Passport cards are also only valid in mexico, bermuda, canada and the caribbean. Here are the countries and territories where a us passport card is valid. As of april 9, 2018, the passport card renewal fee for eligible. What is the difference between a passport card number and. Can be used for international travel via land, sea, or air. 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 are a previous passport book holder and you are eligible to submit form ds82, you may apply for a passport card as a renewal by mail even if it is your first passport card. The us passport book vs passport card salon prive mag. It is smaller and more convenient to carry than a passport book, and it is less expensive to obtain. Any us citizen wishing to travel internationally via air must have a passport book. A passport card cost significantly less than a passport book due to the limited access it provides to destinations overseas.
There are, however, some key differences that need to be. Many foreign countries require nothing more for entry than a u. To begin with, passport cards can not be used for air travel. The passport card is a cheaper alternative to the passport book. There are, however, some key differences that need to be considered. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. A citizen or national is allowed to hold both a passport card and a passport book. 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. Difference between passport book and passport card. Passport card is wallet sized document while passport book size is 5. Us passport books and us passport cards the differences. As far as i can tell, the edl and passport card give the same travel rights.
Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages. If you already have a passport, use form ds82 to apply for a. See below the differences between a passport book vs. The difference between the numbers is two digits and the letter c. Differences between a passport book and passport card. There is a supplementary fee for adults and children payable by. In this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. Us passport book vs us passport card us visa connection.
How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. The cost for first time applicants when applying for both cards is. 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. Any frequent traveler knows how pricey foreign travel can get. The passport book allows for all travel whether by air, land, or sea. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. If you are applying for a passport, youll need to consider whether to get a passport book or a passport card. You cannot use a passport card when traveling by air internationally. 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. 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. You have to go in person to present your application. You will also need the passport book in order to receive a travel visa from countries that require an issue them.
The application process is the same for either the passport book or card, even if you want both at the same time. However, it has a great number of limitations, so clients requesting a passport card should give serious consideration to applying for a passport book as well. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. 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. If you already have a passport book or passport card, you can renew by mail. The most obvious difference between passport books and passport cards is the design, of course.
If you need to get a passport in three weeks or less, you will need an expedited process. This service is not available for passport card applicants. 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 books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. Apply for a passport card united states department of state. Only available for passport book applicants in the united states not canada. Of the internal pages, 17 are blank pages marked visas. Difference between a passport book and passport card.
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