When a passport card might be just what you need for travel. Differences between a passport book and passport card. As far as restrictions go, there are none with the passport book. 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. The united states passport card is an official identity and. Government fees have increased, but they havent increased the speed. It is even cheaper to buy both a passport and passport card at one time. Can be used for international travel via land, sea, or air. In a short period of time, passport services received over 350,000 applications for the passport card. Passport the application process is the same for either the passport book or card, even if you want both at the same time. Passport card is wallet sized document while passport book size is 5. For domestic travel, the passport card is easier to carry because its walletsized.
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. In general, everyone must have a passport book or a regular passport to travel from one country to another. The difference between a passport book or card getaway usa. To be considered as an adult you must be 16 or older, and to be. Jun 20, 2019 passport card is wallet sized document while passport book size is 5. What is the differences between passport book vs passport card. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison diffen. Oct 05, 2018 if so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. What is the difference between a passport book and. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults, and five years for travelers under age 16. However, a passport card is only a valid form of id for travel within the u. What is the price for a passport book and a passport card.
It is smaller and more convenient to carry than a passport book, and it is less expensive to obtain. If you need a passport faster than 23 weeks, a thirdparty expediting service can submit your passport application for you for same day processing. 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. For most forms of international travel which you might wish to do in the future, a passport book is required. Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card.
H ave you ever wished your passport could fit inside your wallet. 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 card department of foreign affairs and trade. You still need a valid drivers license to operate a motor vehicle. The passport book has lots of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps. Department of state passport services recently began issuing the passport card as an alternative to the traditional 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. A passport book is valid for all types of travel land. What is the differences between passport book vs passport.
You can get a us passport card, whether or not you currently hold a passport book. The passport card is only valid for land and sea travel to. Only available for passport book applicants in the united states not canada. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. 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. Read below for more info on how to get your passport fast. Passport card has the same period of validity as the u. See the chart below to decide which is best for you. To begin with, passport cards can not be used for air travel. Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. Applicants must provide documents which attest to their u. Difference between passport book and passport card. As the other two answers have hinted at, unless you live near the us border or youre traveling by sea vessel, the passport card is rubbish at its stated purpose.
There are several options when it comes to forms of identification for travel. 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. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. They let you travel to canada, mexico, bermuda, and the caribbean by land and sea. This service is not available for passport card applicants.
For more information about the california real id, visit the dmv website. Also, if you get a passport card separately from your passport, it has a different number and expiration date also costs a bit more. Shepherd said that some travelers might prefer to use a passport card for domestic flights because it is smaller, easier to carry and less expensive than a regular passport. Only one execution fee is charged for an individual applying for both a card and book at the same time. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. The us passport book vs passport card salon prive mag. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. This is perhaps unsurprising, seeing as how a passport card lacks the blank pages of the passport book because it is nothing more than the size of a standard id card. 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 only valid for land and sea travel to canada, mexico, and the caribbean. If youre leaving for an international trip, your passport is the one essential item you cant leave home. Any us citizen wishing to travel internationally via air must have a passport book.
Nov 22, 2019 the cost between passport book vs passport card. That means you cannot use the passport card for air travel. Passport book vs passport card i f youve wondered what the difference is between a passport book and a passport card, youve come to the right place. You must have the original copies of all required documents. Feb 11, 2020 for domestic travel, the passport card is easier to carry because its walletsized. 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. You cannot use a passport card when traveling by air internationally. Visa, mastercard, diners club international and american express cards are accepted. In this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. A passport card is the same size as a drivers license, and is official proof of your identity and us citizenship. The total amount will depend on the service you require and any additional services you might need or want.
Our fees listed on this page are for those applying for or renewing their passport in the united states and renewing by mail from canada. As passport books allows more activities as compare to passport card so they tend to cost more as well. Of the internal pages, 17 are blank pages marked visas. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. Applying for a new passport or passport card quicklyeither before or after the april 2 deadline passesmay be a good idea. What is the diffference between a passport book and a. Both the passport book and passport card serve as proof of your u. 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. 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.
For more information about passports and passport cards, visit the u. The passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. So, passport cards are cheaper and more convenient. Weigh the cost of a passport versus a passport card. If your travel plans take you to a country bordering the u. A passport card is less expensive than a traditional passport book. You can use this creditcardsized document to reenter the united states from mexico, canada, bermuda and the caribbean when traveling by land or sea. If so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. The state departments website offers complete details and an online application form.
Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. There are different passport card fees depending on if you are an adult or a minor. However, i still have a passport card anyway, i use it as my primary form of id, an. What is the difference between a passport book and passport card. The adult and minor passport card fees are about the same.
Passport book lets you travel by air internationally, but the card doesnt. See below the differences between a passport book vs. The application fee for a passport card is also lower than the passport book. Passport cards are also only valid in mexico, bermuda, canada and the caribbean. Some people are confused with the differences between a. Excellent form of official identification for children or nondrivers. State department issues two versions of a passport. The passport card is a fully valid passport that attests to the u. 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. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to.
Use the 2020 passport fees table to help you calculate the cost of getting your passport. In contrast, a passport card is similar in purpose to a passport book but much more limited in scope. There are, however, some key differences that need to be considered. May, 2019 in this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. 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. There is a mandatory passport application fee for most services. The passport card is a cheaper alternative to the passport book. Since the passport card is apparently worthless, it is better to leave that than your actual passport. Passport book is a globally recognized travel document while passport card is not a globally recognized document. Find uses and advantages of a passport book and a passport card and figure. If issued for the full validity, they are both proof of your u. A passport, passport card or california identification card is not a substitute for a drivers license. The process for getting or renewing a passport card is the same as for a regular passport.
The passport book is valid for all international travel. No passport or passport card is required to travel to overseas u. You can use this credit card sized document to reenter the united states from mexico, canada, bermuda and the caribbean when traveling by land or sea. You can now apply for a passport book and a passport card. If you find yourself frequently traveling to canada or mexico but not so much the rest of the world, a passport card is one way to help pinch some pennies.
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