To be considered as an adult you must be 16 or older, and to be considered a minor, you must be 15 or less. Passport the application process is the same for either the passport book or card, even if you want both at the same time. For domestic travel, the passport card is easier to carry because its walletsized. A passport card is less expensive than a traditional passport book. It is smaller and more convenient to carry than a passport book, and it is less expensive to obtain. To help calculate your passport costs, use the estimate your fees calculator or see. Us passport book vs us passport card us visa connection. You will also need the passport book in order to receive a travel visa from countries that require an issue them. Both the passport book and passport card serve as proof of your u. Difference between passport book and passport card. 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. The passport book allows for all travel whether by air, land, or sea.
Passport card department of foreign affairs and trade. Can i upgrade from a passport card to a passport book. I will be needing to get a passport book within the next couple of years so i can travel to barbados. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. For instance, if there is a medical or family emergency, you will not be able to fly out of the country to return home. Department of state recommends the passport book as it is more versatile.
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. Passport book is valid for international travel by air, sea, or land. I bought a passport card a few months ago to go on a cruise. Only available for passport book applicants in the united states not canada. As passport books allows more activities as compare to passport card so they tend to cost more as well. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. A passport book provides valid identification for any national or international travel.
The difference between a passport book or card getaway usa. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. 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. There are several options when it comes to forms of identification for travel. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. I know by law we need to have them with us at all time. While the passport card is permissible for a cruise, you may want to reconsider getting the card over the book. Beyond the fact that there are certain limits to where individuals can travel with their passport card, there are certain advantages to this form of identification. Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages. Of the internal pages, 17 are blank pages marked visas. The passport card shares the same validity period as the passport book. Passport cards and passport books are no exception.
You can also apply for the passport book and the passport card at the same time when youre utilizing the ds11 new passport application for new passport. Well help you determine whether you want or need to pay extra for the passport card. The fee is not as high as a passport book since it is use for some countries. We are now planning on taking a flight out of the country and i need a passport book. Please note that at present no appointments will be granted for the issuing of new passports and identity cards.
Applying for a new passport or passport card quicklyeither before or after the april 2 deadline passesmay be a good idea. Passport card the standard passport book covers all the bases. For canada crossings, nexus card no longer beats a us passport. Since the pass card lasts for 10 years, it might be a good investment for the whole family as it makes it easier to travel for us citizens.
There are, however, some key differences that need to be considered. Passport card is wallet sized document while passport book size is 5. The passport card cannot be used for 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. The expiry date of your passport or id card is marked in or on the document.
Both of these documents give you the ability to travel outside of the country. Since people abroad may not be familiar with every u. Of course i plan on taking our regular ones, but if cards work in italy, i might decide to get one and carry that instead of a book. The us passport book vs passport card salon prive mag. Make sure you understand the current us passport requirement to canada. Your passport book allows you to travel by land, by sea, or by air. Passport card is also valid for international travel but by land or sea only. However, applicants must first understand the passport card vs passport book debate before they choose which documentation is better for them. Real id, so that you can stop worrying about airport formalities and start getting excited about your trip. Were going to take this one step at a time to give you all the information you need to know about a passport vs. Learn more about how a passport card differs from a passport book. Before we get into the details about bringing a passport vs.
Government fees have increased, but they havent increased the speed. If you lose your passport book you still have your passport card and vice versa. 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 child passport bundle, which includes a 5year passport book and passport card for people aged under 18, costs 45. 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. The passport book vs card question is one you may have if you are a firsttime international traveler.
How to get a passport card fast applying for a passport card by mail will take up to 8 weeks. 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. 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. Second, a good argument can be made that the passport card is more useful than the passport book for the limited circumstances in which it can be used. Passport cards are also only valid in mexico, bermuda, canada and the caribbean. However, each of these items comes with certain restrictions regarding when you can use them. 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. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults, and five years for travelers under age 16. 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.
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 the standard document you may picture when you think of a passport. This service is not available for passport card applicants. Us passport books and us passport cards the differences. It is a small little booklet with a blue cover, a page of identifying information and several pages for visa. A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air. It is even cheaper to buy both a passport and passport card at one time.
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. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. Differences between a passport book and passport card. When applying for a passport, you will be asked to select a passport book, card or both.
If you are also applying for a renewal of your passport book and you opt for expedited service by mail, your passport book will arrive in 23 weeks, but your passport card. They let you travel to canada, mexico, bermuda, and the caribbean by land and sea. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. The nexus card used to be the bestkept secret of frequent travelers to canada. Passport book lets you travel by air internationally, but the card doesnt. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to barbados. For most forms of international travel which you might wish to do in the future, a passport book is required. Any us citizen wishing to travel internationally via air must have a passport book.
If you need a passport faster than 23 weeks, a thirdparty expediting service can submit your passport application for you for same day processing. Depending on how you plan to visit canada, you may be able to use a passport book, passport card, or even a nexus card. Select both and you will pay additional fees for the passport book and passport card. But, the passport card can only be used for international travel by land and sea. Passport card fees how does the passport card fees. If youre thinking of going on a cruise, the passport card might be nice when you need a from of identification to get on and off the ship. The passport card is a cheaper alternative to the passport book. Real id to the airport with you, lets cover the basics first. 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. In part, this is because the passport card is the size of a standard id card, meaning that it can be carried with the same convenience as any other. The passport card will match the expiry date of your passport book, if you have less than 5 years validity remaining. I currently have a passport card that was issued in june 2009.
This is a privately owned website and not a government agency. To begin with, passport cards can not be used for air travel. On the top of the ds82 application for passport renewal, you can select both. Passport cards are wallet sized while the passport book is larger and thicker. 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. Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. The adult and minor passport card fees are about the same. In this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. Travel requirements with the growing threat of global terrorism, all traveling us citizens are required to possess more specific documentation than in the past. Passport card fees is determine by the state department and is standard. If youre only applying for a card, we will send it to you via first class mail. Visa, mastercard, diners club international and american express cards are accepted.
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