Do i get a passport card or book

There is no reason to ever get a passport card, unless you only travel to canada, mexico or caribbean. The application process is the same for either the passport book or card, even if you want both at the same time. Passport cards are valid for land and sea travel to and from canada, mexico and the countries of the caribbean. If you need to get a passport in three weeks or less, you will need an expedited process. 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. In order to apply for your first passport card, youll need the same documentation you need to apply for a passport book. The forms and the submission process is the same for the passport card and book. Department of state has a simpletoread list of facts comparing the passport card with the passport book and providing links to applications for both. Should i get a passport card to go along with my passport.

A passport card is also available for certain travel situations. A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air. Unless you have a lifeordeath emergency, you should wait until normal operations resume to apply for or. First of all, the passport book contains many pages designated for visa stickers and stamps, while the passport card, on the other hand, is a credit cardlike id. Apr 23, 2018 youll need to include your most recent passport, form ds82, an updated passport photo, payment for the new book andor card, and any documentation to support a requested name change. Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages. You will need to fill in an official form and present identification and proof of citizenship. Yes, passport cards can be renewed just like passport books. If you already have a passport book, you do not need a passport card to travel internationally. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card. The irish passport card, can be used by irish citizens for travel within the. When you get ready to renew your passport, make sure you have the actual physical book or 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. You can definitely get both, but if you already have the passport book, theres no real need to obtain the card. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. Because of public health measures to prevent the spread of covid19, we have extremely limited u. You have to go in person to present your application. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. Can i get a passport card so i dont have to pay extra for. A passport book is valid for all types of travel land, sea or air to any destination. Nov 07, 2016 however, your new passport card may take longer to be issued, and will be sent to you under separate cover. In addition to being mandatory for air travel, it can offer peace of mind for emergencies. You can get a passport card with your passport book if you like. The passport card will facilitate entry and expedite document processing at u. Do not sign the passport form until asked to sign the form in front of an acceptance agent.

Getting your us passport as easily and quickly as possible. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. Jun, 2019 how to get a us passport book first time. A passport card or book can serve as identification for various purposes, including domestic travel.

The passport card will match the expiry date of your passport book, if you have less than 5 years validity remaining. Youll need to submit the same documentation for getting a passport card as you do for a passport book, so getting them both at the same time makes things easier. Apr 06, 2016 getting a passport card for your child. Can you upgrade from a passport card to a passport book. Differences between a passport book and passport card. Of the internal pages, 17 are blank pages marked visas that are meant for travel visas and country entry and exit stamps. The purpose of the passport card is for travelers that are going to canada, mexico, or the caribbean by land or by sea.

First of all, the passport book contains many pages designated for visa stickers and stamps, while the passport card, on the other hand, is a credit card like id. If you get a passport book and card at the same time, they will expire at the same time. You can apply by mail using form ds82 if you have a passport book or card that. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for 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. Which one you must get completely depends on how you are going to travel and how much you. You can imagine my surprise when i found myself putting an x in the checkbox on my u. Ds11 only has options under have you ever had either a passport cardbook for no, loststolen, or submitted with application. The passport book is the traditional multipage document that border agents stamp as you travel through. This option means getting both a passport book and passport card with just one application. However, if youd like to get a passport card still, you can apply by completing the ds82 passport renewal form. However, your new passport card may take longer to be issued, and will be sent to you under separate cover. Department of state passport services recently began issuing the passport card as an alternative to the traditional passport book.

Applying for a new passport is a process that can take several weeks. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. In order to apply for a passport book by mail, your current passport must meet the following requirements. It can also be used for domestic air travel in the usa. Mar 18, 2020 the passport book has plenty of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps, while the passport card is a onepiece credit card sized id card. Passport card department of foreign affairs and trade.

Application form to complete the application for a passport book, card, or both together, first do one of the following. Passport if you are thinking about applying for or renewing a u. 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. Also, if you get a passport card separately from your passport, it has a different number and expiration date also costs a bit more. When you apply for a passport card, youll spend less money than you would when. Anyone who will travel internationally by air must have a passport book. What is the difference between a passport book and passport card.

You never know when you might need to get off the ship because of an. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. You will also need a new passport photo, a completed ds82 if. Reasons to get a passport book or card a passport card and book are both considered us passports. The united states passport card is an official identity and limited travel document issued by the. A us passport card can only be used for land and sea travel to canada, mexico or the caribbean. The passport cards usefulness as an international travel identification document is so limited, its not adequate for most of its intended use. 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.

Since the passport card is apparently worthless, it is better to leave that than your actual passport. 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 may arrive in a separate envelope several weeks later. 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. Not only do they look different, they serve slightly different purposes. Here are more details about how to apply for a passport card. You do not need to renew your passport before it expires unless you are. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. You can get a us passport card, whether or not you currently hold a passport book. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport.

If i already have a passport book, can i use the ds82 to get a passport card. Which one you must get completely depends on how you are going to travel and how much you are willing to pay for this travel document. However, before you apply for a new passport card, consider carefully whether or not you might be better off getting a us passport book. The new passport form gives you the option to get a 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. First of all, a passport card can be used for travel by sea to barbados. Yes, if you have a passport card, you can obtain a passport book at any time. Visa, mastercard, diners club international and american express cards are accepted. There are several options when it comes to forms of identification for travel. The passport book has plenty of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps, while the passport card is a onepiece creditcardsized id card. A passport card is the same size as a drivers license, and is official proof of your identity and us citizenship. If you have a valid passport book, you do not have to get a passport card as well. The passport book and the passport card have the same validity which is 10 years for children 15 years old or younger, the validity is only 5 years. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one.

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. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is not requried that you obtain both. 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. If you already have a passport book, you might be able to apply for your very first passport card by mail. To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to.

A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. The card may not be used to travel by air outside the united states. If none of these apply to you, then you must apply for a passport in person. I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time. You can now apply for a passport book and a passport card. But, the passport card can only be used for international travel by land and sea. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to.

Youll need to submit the same documentation for getting a passport card as you do for a passport book, so. Adults applying for a passport the first timeand children under age 16must use form ds11 and apply in person. In a short period of time, passport services received over 350,000 applications for the passport card. If you have a passport card, you can also use it to drive across the canadian border and to. The primary justification i had for doing so was tha. All passport cards will be mailed using first class mail only. 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. Get a passport card with your passport renewal g3passports. 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. If, however, you do have current or future plans for air travel internationally, then you should opt to get a full passport book to support your trip. 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 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. While the passport card is more convenient due to its size, it is far more restricted in use than the passport book. Its easy to get a passport card for your child when you apply for their minor passport book. Aside from the size, a passport book and a passport card difference is that the latter cannot be used when traveling abroad via air, the passport book is required. It will otherwise carry the rights and privileges of the u. The passport book is accepted for any form of international travel and is also the document that holds your visas. All you have to do is mark the passport application to show you are requesting both the passport book and passport card.

As such, it is important to perform this step months in advance to ensure you will receive it in time. Card will match the expiry date of your passport book, if you have. Youll need to include your most recent passport, form ds82, an updated passport photo, payment for the new book andor card, and any documentation to support a requested name change. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. Aug 10, 2012 a passport book is bigger than a passport card. 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. Youll find all the details youll need to apply for a passport card in our guide, including the requirements and how to get it fast. You can mail your renewal application directly to the state department yourself.

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. Yes, you can get a passport card instead of a passport book if you plan to travel to canada by land. If you are thinking about applying for or renewing a u. The passport book has plenty of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture. Adult passports are valid for 10 years and may be renewed by mail. A passport card is a smaller version of a passport book and fits inside a wallet. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. This card provides a smaller, less expensive alternative for people who frequently travel between the united states and these countries. If so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their travels abroad. Ds11 only has options under have you ever had either a passport card book for no, loststolen, or submitted with application. Both the passport book and passport card serve as proof of your u.

The passport book comes in both a standard, 24page version and a bigger, 52page version for those who travel frequently. Passport cards are wallet sized while the passport book is larger and thicker. Note, you must apply for the passport card in your current legal name. You can use form ds82 to renew your passport book at the same time you apply for your first passport card. If you really want flexibility, you can also get both a passport book and passport card. Aug 18, 2016 one is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. How to apply for a new passport card rush my passport. Passport cards are particularly useful for some people. Save yourself hassle with expedited passport services if you dont have the time or patience for applying for your u.

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. Applying for a passport card by mail will take up to 8 weeks. One is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. They are particularly useful as identification for children who are too young to get a drivers license. Oct 05, 2018 if so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. The passport card is a wallet side document that will be used to expedite document processing from the u. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults. What is the difference between a passport book and. The best way to cover all bases is to get both a passport card and standard passport, which you can easily do the next time you renew your passport. Mar 05, 2018 a passport card is a smaller version of a passport book and fits inside a wallet. The other is the passport card, which is just like a drivers license. May, 2019 in this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel.