However, it has a great number of limitations, so clients requesting a passport card should give serious consideration to applying for a passport book as well. 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. Passport book is valid for international travel by air, sea, or land. 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. Last summer i was in michigan and the opportunity arose to go to canada for the day. You can imagine my surprise when i found myself putting an x in the checkbox on my u. As pp mentions, yes, the passport card alone will work for a cruise. 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. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane.
This service is not available for passport card applicants. When i last renewed my passport i decided to pay the extra few bucks for a passport card and im glad i did. The passport card is cheaper to obtain than the passport book. A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air. Yes, it is much easier to get a new passport book with a pasport card over copies. I have a valid passport card, but now i want to get a passport book. If youre planning a trip to any other destination, then you would need a u. A passport card is cheaper than a passport book, but cant be used for air travel and. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one.
But if you are spending money to get a passport for the solemain purpose of using it to cruise either spring for the full passport book or skip it altogether and cruise withe a birth certificate plus id if over 16. Passport books and cards are alternatives to a stateissued id. You need a passport book now to fly into any country, including canada, mexico, and the caribbean. For,these people, it is just a wasting of money to get a passport book. The passport book is the regular passport that youve seen before. Also, if you get a passport card separately from your passport, it has a different number and expiration date also costs a bit more. To date, more than 17 million passport cards have been issued, according to the state. If you are applying from outside ireland, there is an additional delivery cost of 5. To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to. Youll be able to use your passport card to apply for a passport book using form ds82 and the same procedure that is used for passport renewals. The passport card s usefulness as an international travel identification document is so limited, its not adequate for most of its intended use. Both the passport book and passport card serve as proof of your u. It is basically a wallet size document, or card, that allows you to reenter the united states from mexico, canada, the carribean, and bermuda whether by land border or by sea port.
But, the passport card can only be used for international travel by land and sea. Oct 16, 2017 the passport card is cheaper to obtain than the passport book. 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. Passport card is wallet sized document while passport book size is 5.
Only available for passport book applicants in the united states not canada. The passport book and passport card are both proof of your. The chip acts as a security measure to help protect against identity theft. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. A passport book is valid for all types of travel land, sea or air to any destination.
You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a passport book. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. All you have to do is mark the passport application to show you are requesting both the passport book and passport card. It was designed for people who travel frequently between the u. Department of state passport services process and issue a passport card at the same time it takes to process if you were to. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv.
Aug 10, 2012 a passport book is bigger than a passport card. Passport cards cannot be used for international air travel, even within the 19 mostly caribbean countries that accept the cards at land or sea ports. 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. A us passport card can only be used for land and sea travel to canada, mexico or the caribbean. Passport the application process is the same for either the passport book or card, even if you want both at the same time. The application process is the same for either the passport book or card, even if you want both at the same time. 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 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. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is not requried that you obtain both. Applicants need to understand how to get a passport before they begin planning their international trips. 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. If youre sure that youll never fly into any other country, the card should be sufficient. The adult passport bundle, which includes a 10year passport book and 5year passport card for people aged over 18, costs 100.
As long as your passport is not significantly damaged, you should be able to apply for a. That being said, i recently got one simply because it is convenient to use in. Since the passport card is apparently worthless, it is better to leave that than your actual passport. Basically, i would say passport card is simply designed for those people who plan to cross the land border or enter a sea port, for example, there are many americans who only travelled to canada in their whole life. The passport card will match the expiry date of your passport book, if you have less than 5 years validity remaining. Its easy to get a passport card for your child when you apply for their minor passport book. Passport card or book for my kids to go to the bahamas via. 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. All the information an embassy needs is coded on the card, they just swipe it and a replacement is issued. Once i get it back im going to apply for a passport card. Its as easy as checking a box on your passport renewal application to indicate you want a passport card along with your passport book. Your passport book is fragile, and invalid if damaged. The us passport card is a credit card sized identification document. Below, weve summarized the differences between a passport card and the standard passport book.
Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. Passport book vs passport card for kids the dis disney. Apr 06, 2016 its easy to get a passport card for your child when you apply for their minor passport book.
Difference between passport book and passport card. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their. A passport book is an acceptable document for international travels. Getting your us passport as easily and quickly as possible. Apply for a passport book if you plan on traveling abroad to countries that do not border the united states. 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.
Although princess cruises strongly recommends passengers travel with a passport, its terms and conditions clarify that it is possible to cruise with just a passport card with considerations. For example, if youre traveling on april 24, 2015, you should submit your application no later than february 27. Should i get a passport book, card, or both for a cruise. Keep them in different places if one is lost or stolen, you can still travel on the other on your cruise. Getting a passport isnt that difficult, but it can be a bit of a hassle as there are several steps to take. You can make quite money with such bars, so go for it and find as many bars as possible that dont accept your government id and ask you lawyer to sue the hell out of them for discrimination because this would be the only reason why they didnt accept and official government. If you have a passport card, you can also use it to drive across the canadian border and to. Passport cards are particularly useful for some people. With standard processing, you should submit your application no later than 8 weeks before your travel date. There are several options when it comes to forms of identification for travel. You have to go in person to present your application. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail.
I am in a debate with myself whether to get a passport book or a passport card. A passport card is a state id, any bar that doesnt accept a passport card can be sued for not following state law. May 10, 2010 the passport cards usefulness as an international travel identification document is so limited, its not adequate for most of its intended use. Visa, mastercard, diners club international and american express cards are accepted. Should i get a passport card to go along with my passport. These rules do not apply to cruises roundtrip from san juan, puerto rico, as the. 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. These federal identification passport cards and passport books are the only documents that permit u. To get a passport more quickly, you need to make an appointment at a.
May 17, 2011 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. 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. The passport card contains a radio frequency identification chip as well as the traditional photograph and personal information found in a passport book. The requirements are the same for the passport card as those for the passport book. If you are applying for a passport, youll need to consider whether to get a passport book or a passport card. I should have gotten both because ive put off visiting canada and mexico while my passport s been in the mail applying for visas. Save yourself hassle with expedited passport services if you dont have the time or patience for applying for your u. Get a passport card with your passport renewal g3passports. However, before you apply for a new passport card, consider carefully whether or not you might be better off getting a us passport book. You will also need a new passport photo, a completed ds82 if. Department of state passport services recently began issuing the passport card as an alternative to the traditional passport book. If you have a valid passport book, you do not have to get a passport card as well.
If you have a us passport book, there really is no need to get the passport card. Youll submit your passport card as part of the package, instead of submitting a passport. This is the base fee and does not include any fees to expedite. In this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. Oct 05, 2018 if so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. Once you know the differences between these documents, you can decide between requesting a passport card vs passport book. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. What is the passport card good for and what is its limitations. To start, you will need to know whether you want a passport book, passport card, or both. As passport books allows more activities as compare to passport card so they tend to cost more as well. Passport card is also valid for international travel but by land or sea only.
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. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. I didnt have my passport with me but i did have my c. A passport card also could be useful for alaska cruises, as long as all border crossings into canada are done by land or sea. Differences between a passport book and passport card. When you get ready to renew your passport, make sure you have the actual physical book or card. Passport cards have been an option for us citizens since 2008, but they are still not as well known or well understood as the traditional passport books. Should i get a us passport card along with my passport. While the passport card is more convenient due to its size, it is far more restricted in use than the passport book. The card has the same validity period as a passport book. However, keep in mind that the book is more expensive than the card. When your card is not an acceptable document for travel, you must use a passport book. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card. In a short period of time, passport services received over 350,000 applications for the passport card.
Passport card department of foreign affairs and trade. There is no reason to ever get a passport card, unless you only travel to canada, mexico or caribbean. You must have a passport book to fly in an emergency, so get it. If not, then the passport card should suffice for your trip to the bahamas. The passport book has plenty of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps, while the passport card is a onepiece credit card sized id card. Jun 16, 2016 i have a valid passport card, but now i want to get a passport book. The passport book is the traditional multipage document that border agents stamp as you travel through. But having the card as well gives you many advantages. Please contact npic if you do not receive the second or third mailing within 10 business days of the previous mailing.
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. To obtain a passport card, you will need to gather up the same forms, photos, and documents that are needed for applying for a us passport. If you think that your children might need a passport book in the near future, then you might want to apply for this. Youll need to submit the same documentation for getting a passport card as you do for a passport book, so. Passport cards are wallet sized while the passport book is larger and thicker. Sep 30, 2019 for security purposes, the card contains a radio frequency identification chip rfid. How to apply for a new passport card rush my passport. Do i need a passport book, passport card, or passport book.
Jun 09, 2019 basically, i would say passport card is simply designed for those people who plan to cross the land border or enter a sea port, for example, there are many americans who only travelled to canada in their whole life. Standard processing takes 46 weeks, not including the time it takes for your new passport book to get to you. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. Passport card frequently asked questions with answers. Jun, 2019 standard processing takes 46 weeks, not including the time it takes for your new passport book to get to you. The passport card is a wallet side document that will be used to expedite document processing from the u. When you apply for a passport card, youll spend less money than you would when. Department of state passport services process and issue a passport card at the same time it takes to process if you were to obtain a passport book. It can also be used for domestic air travel in the usa.
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