Not only do they seem different, they serve different functions. A passport card is cheaper than a passport book, but cant be used for air travel and. The primary differences determine where and how the holder may travel. These rules do not apply to cruises roundtrip from san juan, puerto rico, as the. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is not required that you obtain both. Oct 07, 2017 whether you get the passport book card both are valid for 10 years. If you are applying for a passport, youll need to consider whether to get a passport book or a passport card. Enhanced drivers license many people may not know but depending on the state that you live in a third option is available to you. You can use the passport card to keep in your wallet at all times, with the passport book at home and ready to go should the need. If you already hold a passport book, your card will be issued with a different number. See passport fees for more information on the cost of a u. I dont need to be busy looking for the passport, flight ticket and cash at security check point or duty free stores anymore. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states.
What is the difference between a passport book and passport card. 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. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. Find uses and advantages of a passport book and a passport card and figure out which one is best for you, or if you should have both documents.
A passport book is required for all international travel by air. If you already only have the passport book, you can get the passport card as well when you apply for your next passport renewal. You can apply for a us passport card by mail if you already have a us passport book and eligible to use form ds82. Otherwise you will need to use form ds11 to apply for a passport card. Nov 04, 2014 conveniently, both the passport book and the passport card have the same renewal period. Yes, you can apply for both a passport book and passport card at the. Yes, you can apply for both a passport book and passport card at the same. Well help you determine whether you want or need to pay extra for the passport card. Both the book and the card are equally valid as proof of identity and citizenship, and can be used for domestic air travel.
The passport book and the passport card are both valid passport that will attest to your identity as well as citizenship. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. You can apply by mail using form ds82 if you have a passport book or card that. 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. Differences between a passport book and passport card. Us passport book and passport card online application. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. No passport card can be used for international air travel, even to a country that does allow entry with a passport card by land or sea. While there are similarities between a passport book and passport card, it is crucial that those holding either the passport book or card and individuals needing to obtain a passport for the first time know the differences. If you have any intention of traveling internationally, say to europe, youll need a passport book.
The passport publication has lots of pages for arrivaldeparture stamps and visas, while the passport card is a id card. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. They have been available to us citizens since 2008, and are meant to be a convenient way to prove your identity and citizenship. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card. The passport card is only valid for entry into the united states at land border crossings or sea ports of entry. Sometimes it makes life more convenient to have both a passport book and a card, and carry them both on your international travel. While a passport book is valid for all types of travel land, sea or air to any destination.
How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. 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. The passport book is valid for all international travel. For most forms of international travel which you might wish to do in the future, a passport book is required. Jan 23, 2019 should i choose a passport book or passport card. Feb 12, 2019 passport book the passport book is designed to be used for all types of international travel. You can use form ds82 to renew your passport book at the same time that your apply for your passport card. Do you need a passport card or passport book to travel by. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport.
Both are good for 10 years 16yo and up, 5 years if under. Mar 18, 2020 the passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. 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. While having a us passport card is great and affordable, if you need an emergency trip home, you may decide that a us passport book is more your liking. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults. In this post, you will get the benefits of having both documents. Whether you choose a passport book or a passport card is up to you.
Travel articles do you need a passport or a passport card. Well help you determine whether you want or need to. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. Difference between a passport book and passport card. If any of the above statements do not apply to you, you must apply in person using form. Card is good from the us to canada, mexico, and the caribbean by land or sea, but not air travel. 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. Can i apply for a passport card and passport book using the same. Your old passport card will be marked cancelled by having one corner clipped off.
Both passport cards and books are also acceptable on shore excursions. The passport book is accepted for any form of international travel and is also the document that holds your visas. Both passport books and cards are valid for 10 years, so if it fits your travel plans, the passport card can be a. What is a passport card, and what should you know when youre considering a passport book vs. I f youve wondered what the difference is between a passport book and a passport card, youve come to the right place.
If you think having both will serve your purpose, then go ahead and get them. In a short period of time, passport services received over 350,000 applications for the passport card. Aug 18, 2016 today, united states citizens need a passport to travel to neighboring countries such as mexico and canada. A passport card can be used to enter the us states at land border crossing or seaportsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. One question we see a lot online is what is a passport card. I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their. Passport books are larger than cards and come with many pages for customs stamps.
Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults, and five years for travelers under age 16. Jun 02, 2018 while the book can still be used to cross by land into canada or mexico, it can be a little cumbersome to carry a full book when a card conveniently fits in any wallet. No one expects an emergency, and whether you plan or not plan to travel by air, you will require a us passport book. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. Whether you get the passport bookcard both are valid for 10 years.
An adult passport card looks similar to a drivers license, and is valid for ten years. Yes, passport cards can be renewed just like passport books. Minor children will need to have their passports renewed every 5 years until they reach 16 years of age. The passport card is meant for people who live near the border with canada or mexico, and cross that border frequently. Its something they can keep in their wallet rather than carrying the much larger passport book around all the time. 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. 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. If you get a passport book and card at the same time, they will expire at the same time. The other is the passport card, which is just like a drivers license. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. Well clear that up in the article below, and give you a couple good reasons why you may want to have both at the same time. Department of state passport services recently began issuing the passport card as an alternative to the traditional passport book. The passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible.
I previously had a regular passport holder, which was just a sleeve for my passport. My passport was issued to me when i was 17 years old and now 10 years later i believe i am eligible to renew it. Adults will need to have their passport renewed every 10 years. How to know if you need a passport book or passport card. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it 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. They can be used for land or sea travel to canada, mexico, bermuda. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card. Oct 16, 2017 the passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. You will be required to submit your expired passport book card with your application.
For many people, especially those who are not united states expats, having both is an advantage. One is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. To renew a childs passport book card you would need to submit the paperwork via the post office and you will need an appointment to do this. Enhanced drivers license many people may not know but depending on the.
In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. On the top of the ds82 application for passport renewal, you can select both. If you already have a valid us passport book, then it is not required to also have a passport card to travel internationally. 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. For domestic travel, the passport card is easier to carry because its walletsized. Passport cards are a form of us passport that are the size of a credit card or drivers license. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. Its only good for crossing into those countries by land or sea. However, the card was created to facilitate the frequent travel of.
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