The following chart will give you a quick overview of. What is the difference between a passport book and. While the passport card is permissible for a cruise, you may want to reconsider getting the card over the book. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. How to apply for a new passport card rush my passport. 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. Sometimes it makes life more convenient to have both a passport book and a card, and carry them both on your international travel. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. The us passport book vs passport card debate has many of us confused as to which one we should apply. 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. You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a passport book. Nov 04, 2014 when you get ready to renew your passport, make sure you have the actual physical book or card.
With standard processing, you should submit your application no later than 8 weeks before your travel date. How to obtain a duplicate passport and passport card its. The bahamian government only requires proof of citizenship e. If you are applying for a passport, youll need to consider whether to get a passport book or a passport card. Americans may enter the unites states from the bahamas by sea using a passport, passport card, or other western. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport.
How to know if you need a passport book or passport card. The passport card will match the expiry date of your passport book, if you have less than 5 years validity remaining. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card. Passport card department of foreign affairs and trade. You must have the original copies of all required documents. In a short period of time, passport services received over 350,000 applications for the 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 passport photo and the required fee. If you have a passport book and a passport card, make sure you know what to do if you lose one of them. 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. Standard processing takes 46 weeks, not including the time it takes for your new passport book to get to you. If you have never had a passport book, you can apply for a passport card by completing the ds11 new passport form. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card.
Not only do they look different, they serve slightly different purposes. I read somewhere that a birth certificate is also considered proof of citizenship. You should know that the passport card is only valid for travel by land and sea within mexico, canada, bermuda, and the caribbean, and you can not use it for air travel or for travel to other. Although not required on closed loop sailings, which call at foreign ports but sail roundtrip from the u. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. In addition, the card does not contain any pages for visas or immigration stamps. May, 2019 in this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. There is no reason to ever get a passport card, unless you only travel to canada, mexico or caribbean. You cannot use a passport card when traveling by air internationally. Jan 11, 2019 the passport book is designed with heavy travel in mind. I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time.
If you do not meet the requirements for renewal by. 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. Should i get a passport card to go along with my passport. I believe getting the passport card is the same price as getting a passport book renewal. The passport card has benefits, but does not offer the same list of privileges as a traditional passport. Of the internal pages, 17 are blank pages marked visas that are meant for travel visas and country entry and exit stamps. A us passport book may be a little more expensive and bulkier, but it can be used to travel anywhere, by any means and is the recommended passport to carry. That said, passport cards are very useful forms of identification. Mar 05, 2018 if you already hold a valid passport book, you may apply for a passport card by mail with form ds82. The passport card is only valid for entry into the united states at land border crossings or sea ports of entry. If you have lost your passport, you may have to show some additional documentation such as a copy of your official birth certificate or other.
State department issues two versions of a passport. 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. Youll use the same form that you would use to apply for a passport bookeither a ds11 or ds82. If you are applying for a passport, you ll need to consider whether to get a passport book or a passport card. To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to. 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. 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. Oct 05, 2018 if so, you ve probably noticed the option for a passport card. Depending on where you are traveling outside of the u. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. An adult passport card looks similar to a drivers license, and is valid for ten years. Passport book allows you to travel by land, sea and air. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. Jun 02, 2018 if you got any questions about whether you need a passport book or card, please contact travel visa pro we are always ready to help you.
If youre traveling by sea, you can use a passport card, enhanced drivers license, nexus, fast or sentri card instead. We compare the two to help you decide which type of id is best. The passport card has the same validity as the passport book. Department of state passport services recently began issuing the passport card as an alternative to the traditional passport book. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. Travel articles do you need a passport or a passport card. To enter the dominican republic by air, you need a passport book. If your travel plans take you to a country bordering the u. If you got any questions about whether you need a passport book or card, please contact travel visa pro we are always ready to help you. The passport book is designed with heavy travel in mind. Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages. In order to apply for your first passport card, youll need the same documentation you need to apply for a passport book.
If you already hold a passport book, your card will be issued with a different number. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their. This has, unsurprisingly, caused a lot of confusion for individuals. The us passport book vs passport card salon prive mag.
You will be completing the process as a new passport application. Differences between a passport book and passport card. The following chart will give you a quick overview of the passport card versus the passport book. The primary justification i had for doing so was tha. 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. Both passport books and cards are valid for 10 years. There are several options when it comes to forms of identification for travel. However, if you can be reasonably sure you will only travel by land or sea, or if you only need your passport as another form of identification, then a passport card is. In this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. Youll need to establish your identity and citizenship at the border, and nothing works better for this than a u. You ll need to establish your identity and citizenship at the border, and nothing works better for this than a u.
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. External links to other internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the. Aug 10, 2012 if you already have a passport or if you are renewing your passport card, you might be able to submit your application by mail. 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. However, it is possible to damage a passport book so its best to carry a passport protector or wallet to keep it safe. The passport card can be used for entering the united states at land border crossings and sea portsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda. To enter the united states at land border crossings or sea portsofentry from canada, mexico, the.
The passport book has plenty of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps, while the passport card is a onepiece creditcardsized id card. What is the difference between a passport book and passport card. Difference between a passport book and passport card. If you have a valid passport book, you do not have to get a passport card as well. However, depending on your method of entry into mexico, you may not need a passport book. Jan 23, 2019 42% of americans hold a passport book, the kind with your identification portion and the pages to stamp and 60% of american does not know if a passport book or passport card is good for internetional traveling. For instance, if there is a medical or family emergency, you will not be able to fly out of the country to return home. Can you use the passport card for travel to the bahamas. In 2008, the united states government introduced a passport card, which can be used to travel to some countries.
I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. Passport cards are particularly useful for some people. The only exception is that you may use a passport card in order to enter the united states by a land border crossing or at a sea portofentry. If you re a citizen of the united states, and you re thinking about traveling to mexico, but you dont yet have a passport, you might consider getting a passport card instead of a regular passport book. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. The passport book is the traditional multipage document that. If you need your passport fast, you can expedite your passport application. Figure out how much time you need before your trip. You should know that the passport card is only valid for travel by land and sea within mexico, canada, bermuda, and the caribbean, and you can. If a duplicate passport is more than youd like to bite off right now, a passport card might be the way to go. Both the passport book and passport card serve as proof of your u. I suggest you get the card since you are going on a cruise.
A passport book is required for all international travel by air. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. If you already hold a valid passport book, you may apply for a passport card by mail with form ds82. If youre planning a trip to any other destination, then you would need a u. A passport book is always required to travel internationally. In order to apply for your first passport card, you ll need the same documentation you need to apply for a passport book. If youre a citizen of the united states, and youre thinking about traveling to mexico, but you dont yet have a passport, you might consider getting a passport card instead of a regular passport book. I cant submit my passport book, i need it for work. 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. If you already have a passport or if you are renewing your passport card, you might be able to submit your application by mail. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. 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. How many photos are required when applying for both the passport book and passport card on the same application.
It is intended to be used in place of the standard u. Department of state recommends the passport book as it is more versatile. 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. Jun, 2019 figure out how much time you need before your trip. If so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. Visa, mastercard, diners club international and american express cards are accepted. Does a passport card work to go to canada by train. When you get ready to renew your passport, make sure you have the actual physical book or card. You will also need a new passport photo, a completed ds82 if submitting by mail and the application fee. The passport card is a wallet side document that will be used to expedite document processing from the u.
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. You will need to apply for a lost replacement, not a renewal. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their travels abroad. Passport cards cannot be used for international air travel. A passport card is cheaper than a passport book, but cant be used for air travel and. Ds11 only has options under have you ever had either a passport cardbook for no, loststolen, or submitted with application.
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