Us passport book and passport card online application. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. Gov official website for the united states federal government go to source with standard processing, you should submit your application no later than 8 weeks before your travel date. You cannot use a passport card when traveling by air internationally. The other is the passport card, which is just like a drivers license. The us passport card is a credit card sized identification document. Although a passport card is invalid for international air travel it can be used at sea portsofentry or land border crossings and is valid up to 10. The us passport card is less expensive to get then passport book, and is. The passport book allows for all travel whether by air, land, or sea. Nov 19, 2010 on the website, it shows the fee for getting a passport book and card at the same time. Application form ds11 can be used in order to apply for a passport book, passport card or both. Whether you get the passport bookcard both are valid for 10 years. A passport card only applies to land or sea travel to certain locations internationally, which is noted on the back of the card.
The difference between passport and passport card us. I currently have a passport card that was issued in june 2009. You can get a us passport card, whether or not you currently hold a passport book. Ds11 only has options under have you ever had either a passport card book for no, loststolen, or submitted with application. All you have to do is mark the passport application to show you are requesting both the passport book and passport card. Can you use the passport card for travel to the bahamas.
A passport card is the same size as a drivers license, and is official proof of your identity and us citizenship. Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages. Apply for a passport card united states department of state. A passport card allows significantly fewer opportunities for the holder to travel, but often its enough for some. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. The passport card cannot be used for international air travel. It is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors under 16. They are particularly useful as identification for children who are too young to get a drivers license. Passport book vs passport card for kids the dis disney. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. Additionally, for states that do not yet comply with the real id act of 200.
The us passport card is less expensive to get then passport book, and is much smaller. 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 which countries can be accessed with us passport cards. There is no reason to ever get a passport card, unless you only travel to canada, mexico or caribbean. Vip passports and visa services united states passport agency specializes in american passports, us passports, passport renewals, passport applications, passports forms, birth certificates, notary services, visas, and passports in less than 24 hours. Passport card can be used to enter the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at land border crossings or sea portsofentry and is more convenient and less expensive than a. Passport card can be used to enter the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at land border crossings or sea portsofentry and is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. Department of state, performs the same function of identifying the holder as a u. Last summer i was in michigan and the opportunity arose to go to canada for the day. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. Be sure to indicate that you are applying for the card only, not the 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. The passport book has plenty of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps, while the passport card is a onepiece credit card sized id card. It was designed for people who travel frequently between the u. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. 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. If you are thinking about applying for or renewing a u. Its easy to get a passport card for your child when you apply for their minor passport book. Oct 09, 2017 fill out form ds11 with your identifying information. At the size of a drivers license, it is very portable.
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. Save yourself hassle with expedited passport services if you dont have the time or patience for applying for your u. If you make infrequent trips between the us and canada andor mexico by land and are not a frequent cruise passenger to the caribbean and you live in a state that provides a real id compliant drivers license yet you travel internationally by plane, it would make sense to get a passport book and not pay the extra money for a passport card. Jun 03, 2014 the passport card passport card sample, image courtesy travel. The card will provide a less expensive, smaller, and more convenient alternative to the passport book for those who travel frequently to these destinations by land or by sea. Otherwise, it carries the rights and privileges of the u. Should i get a passport card to go along with my passport.
Both forms are available for download on the state departments passport website. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. Since the passport card is apparently worthless, it is better to leave that than your actual passport. What is the difference between a passport book and. Sep 02, 2010 there is no reason to ever get a passport card, unless you only travel to canada, mexico or caribbean. Americans may enter the unites states from the bahamas by sea using a passport, passport card, or other western. Enhanced drivers license many people may not know but depending on the. Apr 06, 2016 its easy to get a passport card for your child when you apply for their minor passport book. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air. A passport card is a smaller version of a passport book and fits inside a wallet. Oct 07, 2017 whether you get the passport book card both are valid for 10 years. State department offers an alternative to using a passport to travel between the u. A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv.
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. It is my understanding that it is better to have them in case of emergency. Aug 18, 2016 one is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. The passport card is a walletsize card that can only be used for land and sea travel between the united states and canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda. The bahamian government only requires proof of citizenship e. However, if you get a passport card, it cannot be used for travel by air. S passport card began on july 14, 2008 and as of march 2010 according to the u. The passport card does serve a purpose as a secondary form of photo identification and proof of u. The passport card facilitates entry and expedites document processing at u.
A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land 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. The card is billed as a cheaper, smaller and more convenient alternative to carrying a passport when traveling to these destinations by land or sea. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to barbados. However, if youd like to get a passport card still, you can apply by completing the ds82 passport renewal form. May 17, 2011 i want to get my 3 kids passports for our cruise in october.
The passport card contains a radio frequency identification chip as well as the traditional photograph and personal information found in a passport book. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. A passport card is a document you would use to travel by land or sea. 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. If you already have a passport book, you do not need a passport card to travel internationally. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. Both documents are valid for 10 years for adults 16 and older, and 5 years for those under the age of 16. You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a passport book. 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.
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 a wallet side document that will be used to expedite document processing from the u. Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. 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. A passport card can be used to enter the us states at land border crossing or seaportsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. The form for renewing a passport or passport card is ds82. Because of public health measures to prevent the spread of covid19, we have extremely limited u.
I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. Enhanced drivers license many people may not know but depending on the state that you live in a third option is available to you. Carry both the card and the passport book in case of an emergency and you need to fly home. More specifically, it can be used when entering the u. What is the difference between a passport book and passport card. A passport book is valid for any international travel by air, sea or land.
Passport cards are valid for land and sea travel to and from canada, mexico and the countries of the caribbean. Also, if you get a passport card separately from your passport, it has a different number and expiration date also costs a bit more. The passport card is a travel document that can be used to enter the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports of entry. The passport card passport card sample, image courtesy travel. Beyond these countries, you cannot use a passport card for reentry. Jun 18, 2011 the passport book is required for any flight with any destination outside of the united states. Nov 20, 2017 a passport card allows significantly fewer opportunities for the holder to travel, but often its enough for some. Us passport card faq passport and visa expeditor get. The us passport card cannot be used for any international air travel, but if you travel frequently to mexico, the caribbean, bermuda, and canada by land or water, the us passport card can actually make more sense than a passport book. I will be needing to get a passport book within the next couple of years so i can travel to barbados. For further information on the passport card, including the differences between a passport card and a. Is it worth it to get a passport card if you are already. Applications for a passport or passport card may be submitted at any of 9,300 passport application acceptance facilities, which typically include u. Passport cards allow entry from canada, mexico, caribbean.
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. First of all, a passport card can be used for travel by sea to barbados. Fill out form ds11 with your identifying information. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. I didnt have my passport with me but i did have my c. Us passport card faq get your passport in 24 hours. Standard processing takes 46 weeks, not including the time it takes for your new passport book to get to you. Ds11 only has options under have you ever had either a passport cardbook for no, loststolen, or submitted with application.
However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. 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. Many travelers will still want to apply for a full passport, however, since the. The passport card takes longer to issue than the passport book. 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. Oct 16, 2017 the passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. So, let us discuss the benefits of a passport card and a passport book. The passport card is designed to be a less expensive and more portable alternative to the passport book. 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. Of the internal pages, 17 are blank pages marked visas that are meant for travel visas and country entry and exit stamps. I want to get my 3 kids passports for our cruise in october.
A passport card is valid for travel to and from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda at land border crossings and sea portsofentry. 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. You will also need the passport book in order to receive a travel visa from countries that require an issue them. The card has the same period of validity as a passport book. The us passport card is a credit cardsized identification document. Passport card has the same period of validity as the u. One is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. To apply for a passport card, please make an appointment on our online appointment system and follow the instructions for renewing a passport.