Traveling by air to foreign countries requires a passport book. Differences between a passport book and passport card. Passports for american travelers for over ten years. I lost my passport card, and i would like to apply for a new one to make use of the expedited rfid lanes at the mexican border. Shortly before the end of so many of our bluebirdserve cards, i was in the us and did something i had not done in a while i went into officemax to buy gift cards. On a recent trip to buy gift cards, i ran into some identification issues and found that apparently a passport is not good enough as id at least for this store. Here are the countries and territories where a us passport card is valid. Think about it, some people may have gotten a passport card first. 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. Otherwise, it carries the rights and privileges of the u. Passport card cannot be used for international air travel. By law, a valid passport, card or book, is conclusive proof of us nationality. Passport card was first issued by united states to its citizens for land and sea travel within north america canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda.
A passport card allows significantly fewer opportunities for the holder to travel, but often its enough for some. You can use it, while traveling through land, water or air transport. The passport required for most international travel is the u. Passport book, which allows travelers the right to leave and return to the united states. For nationals of any other country, please check with your local embassy or consulate or with the passport issuing office. Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. Passport cards are significantly cheaper than passports, but dont have the same power.
However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. Furthermore, it is unlikely that information about your passport book is encoded in the 2d barcode or the rfid chip on the card. The passport book allows for all travel whether by air, land, or sea. Im preparing to fly out of the united states for the first time, and im working on getting my passport application filled out. The passport book is a passport that we receive, if we have a desire to cross borders and the country that we desire to has got the requirement of identification. 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. Passport cards are only good for land and sea travel. I was forced to make a cross country trip due to a work situation. What is the differences between passport book vs passport. 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.
Ds11 only has options under have you ever had either a passport cardbook for no, loststolen, or submitted with application. A us passport card is the perfect option for individuals who cross the border with an ongoing basis for work. Passport card for a reduced fee if you only plan to travel by land or sea to and from canada, mexico, bermuda, or the caribbean nations. About 2 mins into planning my trip, i discovered this gem. The difference between a passport book or card getaway usa. 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. If you are considering flying to another country in the next 10 years, we recommend that you obtain a passport book and not a. 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. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. Both documents are valid for 10 years for adults 16 and older, and 5 years for those under the age of 16.
Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. 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. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card. Passport books and cards are alternatives to a stateissued id. Apparently, neither the clerk nor the housleys was aware of one of the crucial differences between a passport book and a passport card. Can only be used in land and sea travels, not by air. 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. Apply for a passport card united states department of state. The passport card is about the size of any credit card, and fits easily into your wallet for frequent travel. Net passport gives net members extended ondemand access to a rich library of public television programming, including current and archival programs from pbs today there are more than 1,600 episodes of content available to donors through net passport, and the library will continue to grow over time. The us passport card is less expensive to get then passport book, and is much smaller. If you are a danish passport holder this information will not apply to you, and you should tick the does not apply field.
Should americans have both a passport book and a passport. The passport card is valid for up to 10 years if you are an adult, and allows you virtually unlimited travel to the caribbean, bermuda, mexico, and. About rushmypassport rushmypassport is a passport and visa expediting company. You will also need the passport book in order to receive a travel visa from countries that require an issue them.
Whats the difference between a passport book and a. The passport cards are wonderful for those of us who live near the border and drive to canada frequently. The primary justification i had for doing so was tha. Passport cards are gradually becoming more and more popular, but as las vegas fox 5 news reports, there is still a lot of confusion about what type of travel they can actually be used for, and. Difference between passport book and passport card. The difference between passport and passport card us. Passport books can be accepted in any country unless theyve barred us citizens from entry, like north korea, and are valid for visa applications, while a passport card can only be used to enter countries by land or sea which countries can be accessed with us passport cards.
Minetor the first comprehensive companion guides for 1. Passport books a guide on all united states passport books. When you apply for a passport card, youll spend less money than you would when. Passport agencies provide special service to customers traveling within two weeks or in need of a visa in less than four weeks. New passport cards confuse travelers rush my passport. Passport signature requirements congratulations on your new passport. Based on a suggestion from a friend i decided to make the most of it and lined up a bunch of national parks to hit on my trip. For a first time passport book application you will need. Theres an option for a 52page nonstandard passport, and i was wondering when it makes sense to get the 52page passport vs whatever is in the normal passport. I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time.
Its no longer necessary for me to remember to take my passport i just keep the card in its special paper sleeve in my wallet, and its there whenever i need it. In particular, if you plan on traveling to any countries other than canada, mexico, bermuda, or the caribbean nations youll need to get the u. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. Most customers should apply at an acceptance facility or renew by mail if eligible. Take a look at the requirements for applying only for a u. Complete online and submit form ds82 available using the online passport wizard. The passport book allows the holder to travel worldwide with proper visa and documentation, while the passport card only allows the holder to travel to and fro neighboring countries such as canada, mexico, bahamas and the caribbean. Because of public health measures to prevent the spread of covid19, we have extremely limited u. Differences between passport book and passport card.
Department of state, fastport passport has been securing u. Apparently, a passport is not good enough id to buy gift cards. Adding pages used to be free, but since 2012 i think, they make you pay 82 dollars for a few paper pages. Department of state in order for your new passport to be considered valid. The united states passport card is an official identity and. Passport book is valid for international travel by air, sea, or land. One is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. Can be used for international travel via land, sea, or air. Passport book for reentry into the united states from any country. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. Passports are nontransferable identification documents that are issued by the united states state department for. 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.
The last step to make your new passport official is to sign the first page. I called the passport agency at 8774872778 to confirm thistwice. Passport card an excellent option blog travel tips. Us passport card citrus county clerk of courts, fl. Only one execution fee is charged for an individual applying for both a card and book at the same time. Costs the same, but has more than double the visa pages of the 28 page passport 28 pages, but only 18 visa pages. If you are flying by plane, a cape, a giant eagle, or anything for that matter, you have to get the passport book. 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. A passport card is only good for travel by land and sea, not by plane. Entering the united states at land border crossings and sea portsofentry from. Of the internal pages, 17 are blank pages marked visas that are meant for travel visas and country entry and exit stamps. 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.
Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages. Passport to your national parks collectors edition. Us passport books and us passport cards the differences. You must use the book to fly internationally, and cross international borders outside north america, but the card is just as valid for proving identity and nationality within any country, including the us. The form is asking for my passport book number but i am not sure if i have one. Passport is a must for any person that is looking to internationally travel via any means. 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. Validity of a passport book is 10 years for adults, 5 years for minors under age 16 the size of a passport book is approximately 5 x 3. The passport card is a cheaper alternative to the passport book.
It is not globally recognized document for travel and used in some areas of united states only. I attempted to order one on amazon, but it was backordered for months. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. Passport book vs passport card passport blog simple.
With over a decade of experience, fastport passport. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. 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. However, when they went to apply for new passports, the clerk steered them toward ordering one of the walletsized new passport cards.
Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. If you are thinking about applying for or renewing a u. In the united states, passport books verify citizenship and right to reenter ones home country such as the united states of america. See below the differences between a passport book vs. The walletsize passport card is convenient and less expensive than the passport book.
Do i need a passport book, passport card, or passport book. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card. If you were to fly to cancun with just a passport card theyll send you back to the us. Contact the national passport information center for information on u. Is there some sort of good ballpark figure for how much. This new travel document can be used to enter the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at land border crossings or sea portsofentry. Any us citizen wishing to travel internationally via air must have a passport book. Though its typically overshadowed by the passport, a u.
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