State department issues two versions of a passport. At this facility the applicant can get his or her passport card. A previous passport book holder, eligible to use form ds82, may apply for a passport card as a renewal. The us passport book vs passport card salon prive mag. Will my passport card have the same number as my passport book. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. For more information view our passport first time issuances and renewal instructions. Apr 06, 2016 all you have to do is mark the passport application to show you are requesting both the passport book and passport card. Please note important, temporary changes to the passport application and renewal process due to the coronavirus. But, when you refer to a passport for international. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. You can not use passport cards on international cruises from international homeports unless theyre us territories. 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. However, depending on where youre travelling, you might be ok with just the card.
May 10, 2010 on the other hand, the us passport card is only accepted as a u. Use the passport application wizard to step through the process of filling out the application. If youre traveling soon, you can expedite your 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.
It is intended to be used in place of the standard u. The main downside is that it can only be used for travel to canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermudanorth. Passport card difference between passport book and passport card u. The passport card has the same validity as the passport book. But like others have said you can just use your state id and birth certificate. If im remembering correctly, you can use your passport card when travelling by land or sea. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips.
If youre applying for a passport card for the first time, youll want to find a passport. All you have to do is mark the passport application to show you are requesting both the passport book and passport card. What is the difference between a passport card or book answers. Just a few years later, the number of passport cards issued rose to over one million. Us passport book and passport card online application. The difference between the numbers is two digits and the letter c. Can only be used in land and sea travels, not by air.
Passport card vs passport book carnival cruise lines. If you have a passport card and you are eligible to use form ds82, you may apply for a passport book as a renewal even if it is your first passport book you can renewapply using form ds82 if you have a passport card that. 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. Passport cards and passport books are no exception. What is the difference between a passport book and passport card.
Passport books and cards are alternatives to a stateissued id. The passport card shares the same validity period as the passport book. Can you upgrade from a passport card to a passport book answers. A passport card can provide a more convenient, cheaper alternative to carrying your passport book. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. Can i upgrade from a passport card to a passport book. If you already have a passport book or passport card, you can renew by mail using form ds82. You cannot use the passport card for international air travel, nor can you use it for travel to other international destinations. Learn more about how a passport card differs from a passport book. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card.
What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. The passport card is designed to be a less expensive and more. You can use this creditcardsized document to reenter the united states from mexico, canada, bermuda and the caribbean when traveling by land or sea. Never had an issue, but you cant upgrade from the card to the book. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. Getting your us passport as easily and quickly as possible. For most people, though, a passport book is the best bet. Your passport book allows you to travel by land, by sea, or by air.
No, you must simply apply for the passport book now. 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. See the chart below to decide which is best for you. Read on to learn how you can apply for your passport card and lighten your load for your next journey. 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 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.
You cannot use the passport card for international air travel, even when you reenter the u. It was introduced on july 18th, 2008 and over 7 million passport cards have been issued since then. You can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. Your personal details must be an exact match of the details that appear in your passport book.
While the passport card has limited use, the passport book will remain the premier internationally accepted travel document. The passport card is available to all irish citizens who hold a valid irish passport book. If you have a passport card and you are eligible to use form ds82. You cannot use a passport card on cruises from international homeports. 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. 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. Aug 18, 2016 the passport card is more convenient than the book but there are restrictions on forms of travel. A us passport card is used as a federal id and is only good for travel to canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at land border crossings or sea portsofentry and is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. Passport book vs passport card i f youve wondered what the difference is between a passport book and a passport card, youve come to the right place. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. 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. A passport card is valid for travel to and from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda at land border crossings and sea portsofentry. I have a passport card, but also need a passport book for.
It is smaller and more convenient to carry than a passport book, and it is less expensive to obtain. Ds11 only has options under have you ever had either a passport cardbook for no, loststolen, or submitted with application. Publications social media updates uks referendum on eu membership. In an effort to assist our visitors in obtaining the information they need as.
Apr 21, 2016 youll use the same form that you would use to apply for a passport bookeither a ds11 or ds82. A passport card serves as official identification and proof of your us citizenship. A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air. Passport card faq get answers to your passport card. I have a passport card, but also need a passport book for overseas. You cannot use the passport card for international air travel, even when you re enter the u. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. The passport card is best for those who travel to canada or mexico frequently by car or train. Find a passport application acceptance facility card. Jul 26, 2019 unfortunately, you cannot upgrade your passport card to a passport book. Can you upgrade to a passport book if you already have a. It can be used for land or sea travel to canada, mexico, and many caribbean islands, but it is not valid for any international travel by air. A passport book provides valid identification for any national or international travel. We didnt bc its quicker to get the card back and we thought we had to in 2009.
The passport card is far more convenientand cheaper due to its credit card size. 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. Use the passport book to get the passport card, keeping the book in my possession. The passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us.
If you plan to travel by air or wish to visit a country other than canada, mexico, bermuda or one of the other caribbean island nations, you should apply for a passport book instead. These rules do not apply to cruises roundtrip from san juan, puerto rico, as the island is. Find a period of time when im not going to be traveling internationally and apply for the renewal book, using the card as id for domestic trips in the interim. Passport cards are a cardsized version of a us passport. Currently takes 6 weeks regular processing or 3 expedited. The passport cards usefulness as an international travel identification document is so limited, its not adequate for most of its intended use. Passport card frequently asked questions with answers.
Does a passport card work to go to canada by train. If youre traveling by airplane, youll need to use a passport book no matter what. Applications for a passport or passport card may be submitted at any of 9,300 passport application acceptance facilities, which typically include u. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. Sep 17, 2019 you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. The passport card is intended as a more portable, less expensive alternative to the standard passport book, primarily for u. What is the difference between a passport card number and. Mar 05, 2018 a passport card is a smaller version of a passport book and fits inside a wallet. The irish passport card, can be used by irish citizens for travel within the european union and the european. For travel by land or sea into canada, mexico, bermuda and the caribbean, the u.
When youve completed the application, print it out to take to the passport acceptance facility. Form ds11 will obligate the applicant to appear in person at their local passport application acceptance facility. Yes, if you have a passport card, you can obtain a passport book at any time. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. 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 travelers are familiar with acquiring and using a passport book, as its required for international air travel. 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.
A passport book is valid for any international travel by air, sea or land. 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. Application form to complete the application for a passport book, card, or both together, first do one of the following. Passport card faq get answers to your passport card questions. Differences between a passport book and passport card. Due to this growth, more and more questions are sent to use about this travel document. Children who are too young for a drivers license or other state id, or other nondrivers who want a wallet sized id document, can also use the. Passport card may 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. To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to.
If issued for the full validity, they are both proof of your u. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air. On the contrary, any applicant that is already in possession of a passport book and can use form ds82 will be able to apply for 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. Passport cards are valid for land and sea travel to and from canada, mexico and the countries of the caribbean. Some people are confused with the differences between a passport book and a passport card. They are valid for five years from the date of issue, just like a minor passport book. So as not to get confused anymore, here a few points to remember on how to distinguish use of each. It is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors under 16. When you apply for a passport card, youll spend less money than you would when. Jun 16, 2016 passport cards are a card sized version of a us passport. 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. Oct 23, 2017 form ds11 will obligate the applicant to appear in person at their local passport application acceptance facility.
If you have a passport card and you are eligible to use form ds82, you may apply for a passport book as a renewal even if it is your first passport book. Youll use the same form that you would use to apply for a passport bookeither a ds11 or ds82. Canada, mexico, bermuda, and 17 island nations of the caribbean. If you leave near the border, drive across frequently, and simply dont want to carry the slightly bulkier passport book, you may want to consider a passport card. The passport book has lots of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps. A passport card is a smaller version of a passport book and fits inside a wallet. 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. Can you upgrade from a passport card to a passport book.
Our guide will show you the uses and advantages of each document, and will help you figure out which one is best for you, or if you should have both. The card cant be used for international air travel. S citizens that want to travel by land or sea to canada, mexico, and the caribbean. Passport card versus passport book should i get 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. 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. A previous passport book holder, eligible to use form ds82, may apply for a. You can renewapply using form ds82 if you have a passport card that. The passport card is more convenient than the book but there are restrictions on forms of travel. Aug 10, 2012 a passport book is bigger than a passport card. Oct 16, 2017 the passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. Both forms are available for download on the state departments passport website.
The form for renewing a passport or passport card is ds82. Passport, and those not eligible to use the form ds82, should apply for a passport card using form ds11. What is the difference between a passport book and. The passport card is designed for the specific needs of the northern and southern border resident communities and is not a globally interoperable travel document as is the traditional passport book. On the form, you indicate that youre applying for a passport card by checking the appropriate box. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. The passport book has plenty of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps, while the passport card is a onepiece credit card sized id card. Any us citizen wishing to travel internationally via air must have a passport book.
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