I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. Does a passport card work to go to canada by train. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. For canada crossings, nexus card no longer beats a us passport. 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. Depending on where you are traveling outside of the u. I believe getting the passport card is the same price as getting a passport book renewal. 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. Only available for passport book applicants in the united states not canada. Get a passport card with your passport renewal g3passports.
If you are applying for a passport, youll need to consider whether to get a passport book or a passport card. The department of state is issuing the passport card in response to the needs of border resident communities for a less expensive and more portable alternative to the traditional passport book. The passport card is only valid for entry into the united states at land border crossings or sea ports of entry. Nov 04, 2014 conveniently, both the passport book and the passport card have the same renewal period. 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. The passport book is the most common passport to carry. 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. Travel articles do you need a passport or a passport card. Passport if you are thinking about applying for or renewing a u. 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. Feb 12, 2019 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. Aug 10, 2012 a passport book is bigger than a passport card. You will need to fill in an official form and present identification and proof of citizenship. However, if youre going on a caribbean cruise departing from the u. If you are applying for both a book and a card at the same time, you only need to submit one passport photo. Youll need to submit both documents when you do your. Oct 05, 2018 if so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. 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. However, it doesnt always make sense to have only the passport card, especially if you plan to travel by plane overseas.
Difference between a passport book and passport card. It is a credit cardsized, laminated document that is less expensive than the passport book, and discounted further if the traveler also holds a valid passport book, but it is not necessary to have a passport book to get the passport card. Your passport book will be returned when your card is issued. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport.
An adult passport card looks similar to a drivers license, and is valid for ten years. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. If i already have a passport book, do i have to send it in to get a passport card. We compare the two to help you decide which type of id is best for you. All cruises to cuba require a passport book no passport cards or other forms of i. For air travel, you do need a passport, but having a nexus card will generally get you through the airport more quickly. Yes, you will have to send in your passport book when you apply for a passport card. State department issues two versions of a passport. Jun 03, 2014 it is a credit card sized, laminated document that is less expensive than the passport book, and discounted further if the traveler also holds a valid passport book, but it is not necessary to have a passport book to get the passport card.
Visa, mastercard, diners club international and american express cards are accepted. Your passport book can be used in any situation where a passport card could be used, but you may find that it is convenient for you to also have a passport card. You should always wear identification, so i would suggest bringing your passport its a must and carry you card in your pocket. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their. The passport card will match the expiry date of your passport book, if you have less than 5 years validity remaining. Yes, passport cards can be renewed just like passport books. The department of state is issuing this passport card in response to the needs of border resident communities for a less expensive and more portable alternative to the traditional passport book.
First of all, both passport documents have a validity of 10 years. However, before you apply for a new passport card, consider carefully whether or not you might be better off getting a us passport book. If you have a valid passport book, you do not have to get a passport card as well. Along with allowing for international travel, passports can be used to prove your identity and citizenship, especially when you need multiple forms of identification. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card. They are valid for five years from the date of issue, just like a minor passport book. Although two documents have a huge difference, they also share some similarities. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. The passport publication has lots of pages for arrivaldeparture stamps and visas, while the passport card is a id card. If you have a passport card, you can also use it to drive across the canadian border and to. 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. To enter the united states at land border crossings or sea portsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda, you can use a passport book or a passport card.
A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. It will otherwise carry the rights and privileges of the u. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. The passport card is an option the united states government provides that is a lower cost alternative to the passport book. 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. Conveniently, both the passport book and the passport card have the same renewal period. The passport card has benefits, but does not offer the same list of privileges as a traditional passport. The application process for a passport card is very similar to applying for a passport. International sailings cruises that begin outside the united states, u. If so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card.
Maarten that require you to show id because you will be crossing a land or sea border into a foreign country. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. The new passport form gives you the option to get a passport card. Save yourself hassle with expedited passport services if you dont have the time or patience for applying for your u. Differences between a passport book and passport card. You only need a passport book if you travel by air.
Adults will need to have their passport renewed every 10 years. The card may not be used to travel by air outside the united states. Jun 02, 2018 from an american perspective, passport cards are fairly unique. Jan 11, 2019 the passport card is also commonly used for travelers that wish to take a cruise but do not plan on ever traveling by plane. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. It is for travelers who are not going to leave the country by airplane, and plan to only leave the united states via land or sea. How to apply for a new passport card rush my passport. In a short period of time, passport services received over 350,000 applications for the passport card. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card. Firsttime passport card applicants who do not have a passport book traditional passport must go in person to a passport application facility, such as a post office or courthouse, and submit a completed passport application form, proof of us citizenship, one.
A nexus card is all you need for proof of citizenship when you cross the uscanadian border by land or by sea. You must have the original copies of all required documents. The passport book has plenty of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps, while the passport card is a onepiece creditcardsized id card. You can apply by mail using form ds82 if you have a passport book or card that. If you are cruising to the caribbean, you will need to enter with either your u. Passport book vs passport card for kids the dis disney. The purpose of the passport book is to allow entry and exit to any country in the world. Sometimes it makes life more convenient to have both a passport book and a card, and carry them both on your international travel. I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time. The card has the same period of validity as a passport book. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. In conclusion, the passport book versus passport card is important to know.
A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air. Passports need a passport apply for a passport card. If you get a passport book and card at the same time, they will expire at the same time. If you are applying from outside ireland, there is an additional delivery cost of 5. If you dont want to spend the money for the full passport i would save what. The adult passport bundle, which includes a 10year passport book and 5year passport card for people aged over 18, costs 100. Firsttime passport card applicants who do not have a passport book traditional passport must go in person to a passport application facility, such as a post office or courthouse, and submit a completed passport application form, proof of us citizenship, one passport photo and the required fee.
Department of state has a simpletoread list of facts. Furthermore, both passport cards and books are also suitable for short trips that need you to show an id as youll be crossing a sea or land border into a foreign country. Minor children will need to have their passports renewed every 5 years until they reach 16 years of age. Nassau, bahamas if you are cruising to the bahamas from the u. What is the difference between a passport book and passport card. If you already have a passport book or passport card, you can renew by mail using form. You cannot use a passport card when traveling by air internationally. If you have a us passport book, there really is no need to get the passport card. The passport book is the traditional multipage document that border agents stamp as you travel through.
The passport card is a very handy tool to have in your vital document wallet. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. Not only do they look different, they serve slightly different purposes. Do you need a passport to go on a cruise to the bahamas. If not you should carry your passport book around, but that would be very stressful. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. 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. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. Passport card department of foreign affairs and trade. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults, and five years for travelers under age 16. It can also be used for domestic air travel in the usa. Nowadays, its best to carry a valid passport any time you leave the country.
The passport book allows for all travel, by air, land, and sea and youll need the passport book in order to receive a travel visa. Fill out the application using a black ink pen or use the state department online tool to fill out the application, and select passport card. I suggest you get the card since you are going on a cruise. The primary justification i had for doing so was tha. A us passport card can only be used for land and sea travel to canada, mexico or the caribbean. Cancun passport requirements vary depending on how you enter mexico. A passport book is required for all international travel by air. Here are more details about how to apply for a passport card. A passport card is a single sheet, a little larger than a drivers license, that has the same photo and personal information listed on the photo page of the passport book.
Anyone who will travel internationally by air must have a passport book. Passport the application process is the same for either the passport book or card, even if you want both at the same time. When you apply for a passport card, youll spend less money than you would when. Feb 21, 2020 cancun passport requirements vary depending on how you enter mexico. A passport card also might be pretty useful for alaska cruises, on condition that all border crossings into canada are done via sea or land. Adults who already have a fully valid passport book may apply for the card as a. That being said, i recently got one simply because it is convenient to use in situations where the passport book is not needed namely, everywhere besides nonneighboring national borders.
Department of state passport services recently began issuing the passport card as an alternative to the traditional passport book. But if youre not worried about the money or youre just planning to travel more in the future internationally, then a passport book would always be a better option. The passport card is also commonly used for travelers that wish to take a cruise but do not plan on ever traveling by plane. Citizens of some countries, like those based in the european economic area, dont need a full passport book when traveling across borders, but instead carry a national identity card. You do not need a passport to enter the united kingdom, but airlines and. 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. 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. Do americans need a passport to travel to the bahamas or. Passport book allows you to travel by land, sea and air. Aug 18, 2016 the passport book allows for all travel, by air, land, and sea and youll need the passport book in order to receive a travel visa. However, your new passport card may take longer to be issued, and will be sent to you under separate cover.
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