All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. Types of us passport books get your passport book today. In general, everyone must have a passport book or a regular passport to travel from one country to another. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card. Since the passport card is apparently worthless, it is better to leave that than your actual passport. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. However, you can always get a passport card which is the same size as a drivers license. Both the passport book and passport card serve as proof of your u. Passport books can be accepted in any country unless theyve barred us citizens from entry, like north korea, and are valid for visa applications, while a passport card can only be used to enter countries by land or sea. 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.
Difference between passport book and passport card can be a new subject to you if you are not a citizen of the united states of america. Us passports vs enhanced drivers licenses rush my passport. You have to go in person to present your application. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. If you need to get a passport in three weeks or less, you will need an expedited process. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. To enter and leave the united states, a us passport holder must use their passport book. One of the advantages to having a us passport card is the miniscule size making it easy to store in a wallet or purse. 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. Passport card for a reduced fee if you only plan to travel by land or sea to and from canada, mexico, bermuda, or the caribbean nations. Regardless, the passport card that is issued in the united states still has select uses under select circumstances. Nov 20, 2017 a passport card allows significantly fewer opportunities for the holder to travel, but often its enough for some.
Jun 20, 2019 passport book is a globally recognized travel document while passport card is not a globally recognized document. 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. Our guide to us passport books will teach you about the different types of passport books so you will understand which one you need and why. Difference between passport book and passport card compare. The traditional passport book is still the only form of acceptable id for international air travel. From passport cards to global entry, which trustedtraveler. The difference between passport and passport card us. However, if youre considering a passport book vs passport card, just get both. Jan 06, 2009 if you apply for a passport card it will be issued valid for 10 years regardless of the expiration date of your passport book. The passport card contains a radio frequency identification chip as well as the traditional photograph and personal information found in a passport book. Enhanced drivers license many people may not know but depending on the state that you live in a third option is available to you. Its in the form of a booklet and states your name, birthday. You can just slip it in your wallet, right behind your drivers license. The walletsized passport card is designed to be more convenient and less cumbersome than regular passports.
You only need a passport book if you travel by air. Of the internal pages, 17 are blank pages marked visas that are meant for travel visas and country entry and exit stamps. Unless you use the mobile passport app, youll have to. Weigh the cost of a passport versus a passport card. So, given the differences between a passport book vs passport card, which one is right for you. If you are 16 or older, your passport book is good for 10 years. They have been available to us citizens since 2008, and are meant to be a convenient way to prove your identity and citizenship. Passport book for reentry into the united states from any country. Oct 07, 2017 wondering whats the difference between a passport book and a 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.
However, it doesnt always make sense to have only the passport card, especially if you plan to travel by plane overseas. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. The passport card is a cheaper alternative to the passport book. Passport card is wallet sized document while passport book size is 5.
Proof of social security number ss card, a w2, or a pay stub with full ssn. The processing time of the passport book will be within 4 to 6 weeks. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their travels abroad. Oct 16, 2017 the passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. The passport card was designed with the northern and southern u. A passport card is also available for certain travel situations. Differences between a passport book and passport card. As passport books allows more activities as compare to passport card so they tend to cost more as well. The most obvious difference between passport books and passport cards is the design, of course. The traditional passport book is still required for most travel purposes. We have three kids and there is a pretty big price. We want you to know about a few differences between the book.
The passport book is a thin cardboard cover with your picture and information inside it. Passport book is widely used for international travel while passport card is used for united states citizens who live in border territories in the us. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. Your passport number is at the top right corner of the page your photo is on. The passport card is only valid for entry into the united states at land border crossings or sea ports of entry. These come in the form of a traditional passport book, along with a passport card. When you apply for a passport card, youll spend less money than you would when. Difference between a passport book and passport card. Passport book is valid for international travel by air, sea, or land. If you apply for a passport card it will be issued valid for 10 years regardless of the expiration date of your passport book. Passport book booklet style id travel document standard passport book has 28 pages. May 11, 2017 from passport cards to global entry, which trustedtraveler program is right for you.
A passport book is required for all international travel by air. I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages. Processing time of passport book and passport card. The passport book is the only document approved for international travel by air. The passport book is your typical passport, a bound, paged booklet that is issued by the us department of state verifying your identity and nationality, usually for the purpose of traveling internationally all international air travel for us passport holders, regardless of origin or destination airport, must be accompanied by a valid us passport book. It was designed for people who travel frequently between the u. Routine and expedited processing times include mailing time.
The passport card is a very handy tool to have in your vital document wallet. We need to understand the difference between a passport card and a passport book. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. For flight travel abroad you will need a new passport book by mid 2009. 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. People, who are living us border communities, can make use of the passport card. However, people find a passport card more convenient and accessible when carrying. 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. However, there is nothing stopping a us citizen from obtaining passports from other countries and using them for travel, as long as neither the origin or destination of travel is the united states. A passport is an official document that allows you to leave your country and go abroad.
The passport card is cheaper to obtain than the passport book. If you need to travel internationally, you must have a passport book. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their. The traditional us passport book is what you would expect from a passport while the us passport card is the size of a credit card or regular sized drivers license. Residency document rental or lease agreement, mortgage or utility bill, etc. If so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. Whether you get the passport bookcard both are valid for 10 years. The passport card was designed for the specific needs of northern and southern u.
Even if youre flying to or from canada or one of the other countries that accept the passport card by land or sea, you cant use it to fly to another country or to fly back into the united states. It will be a benefit when using it to travel this is a privately owned website and not a government agency. The processing time of the passport card is also within 4 to 6. Currently, all citizens of the united states need a one or the other for international travel, even to neighboring countries such as mexico and canada. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card. What is the difference between a passport book and a. Oct 23, 2017 passport card versus passport book a passport card will be cheaper than a regular passport for you to obtain. Expedited at agency processing time does not include mailing time.
Excellent form of official identification for children or nondrivers. Passport card versus passport book should i get a passport. Younger children will need to renew their passport after 5 years. If you are traveling by air or to most countries, you will need a traditional passport book, with pages for your various visas. In conclusion, the passport book versus passport card is important to know. Be aware of the fact that a passport card is only valid for land and sea travel to canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. Passport cardbasically a limiteduse passport enhanced drivers licenseacts both as a driver license and a travel document, but also with limits well walk you through the basic differences of each of these documents, and help you determine which one is right for you. Passport card versus passport book a passport card will be cheaper than a regular passport for you to obtain. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is not requried that you obtain both. 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. Otherwise, it carries the rights and privileges of the u.
Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. The us passport book vs passport card salon prive mag. No passport or passport card is required to travel to overseas u. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. Passport book and passport card are two terms that are often used these days by many citizens of the united states who are applying for a passport for the first time. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book.
Difference between passport book and passport card. 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. First of all, they are cheaper than getting a passport. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a. The difference between a passport book or card getaway usa. A passport book is valid for all types of travel land, sea or air to any destination. Also, if you get a passport card separately from your passport, it has a different number and expiration date also costs a bit more.
See the chart below to decide which is best for you. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. Only one execution fee is charged for an individual applying for both a card and book at the same time. Minors under 16 will need to renew their passport every 5 years. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. First of all, a passport card can be used for travel by sea to barbados. The passport card is basically an individual credit cardsized id. Passport card is also valid for international travel but by land or sea only. This is the base fee and does not include any fees to expedite. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. Like the book, passport cards are good for 10 years if you are 16 or older. But the passport book that most americans are familiar with isnt the only kind of travel document available in the us theres also the passport card, which is made of plastic and is about the. The us passport card is a small passport card, about the size of a credit card, that contains your photo. Well help you determine whether you want or need to pay extra for the passport card.
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. A passport card can be used to enter the us states at land border crossing or seaportsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. Any us citizen wishing to travel internationally via air must have a passport book. Generally speaking, when someone is thinking about a passport, chances are good that they are thinking about a passport book. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison diffen. Aug 10, 2012 a passport book is bigger than a passport card. Apr 16, 2018 the difference between a passport and a visa. It is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors under 16. A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air. T here are a variety of united states passport books that are issued to travelers for specific reasons. Jan 04, 2020 should americans have both a passport book and a passport card. Here are the countries and territories where a us passport card is valid. 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. I would get the passport book or nothing the birth certificate and the passport card seem equal in value to me you cant fly home with either, and that would be the point of getting the passport book if there is an emergency and you are in a foreign country, you cannot get on an airplane without a passport book, period, so it seems like a.
Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. If you are traveling within 2 weeks or need a foreign visa within 4 weeks, you should make an appointment at a passport agency or center. The processing times below apply to all passport services. State department issues two versions of a passport. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail.
A passport book is valid for any international travel by air, sea or land. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. It has several pages for visas and travel documents. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport.
While the passport card is more convenient due to its size, it is far more restricted in use than the passport book. The good news is a passport card is generally valid for the same time and has the same application process as a 26 or 52page passport book. The passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. From passport cards to global entry, which trusted. This is because a passport book is the booklet containing information about the person to whom it has been issued, which is in addition to a number of blank pages that can be used for travel visas as well as the stamps when said individuals. The passport book has lots of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps. A passport card is valid for travel to and from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda at land border crossings and sea portsofentry. Us passport book and passport card online application. The application process is the same for either the passport book or card, even if you want both at the same time. Although, keep in mind, while both can be used as forms of id when traveling, the passport card has some restrictions.
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