My passport was issued to me when i was 17 years old and now 10 years later i believe i am eligible to renew it. 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. Since it can be used at any border crossing and some countries require a visa for entry, the pages are used for visa stamps. Whether you get the passport book card both are valid for 10 years. If you are traveling on to europe, youll need a passport with at least three months of remaining validity from. You should always wear identification, so i would suggest bringing your passport its a must and carry you card in your pocket. While a passport book is valid for all types of travel land, sea or air to any destination. Here are more details about how to apply for a passport card. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. Conveniently, both the passport book and the passport card have the same renewal period.
However, if youre going on a caribbean cruise departing from the u. For many people, especially those who are not united states expats, having both is an advantage. Nov 04, 2014 conveniently, both the passport book and the passport card have the same renewal period. Aug 18, 2016 today, united states citizens need a passport to travel to neighboring countries such as mexico and canada. The application process for a passport card is very similar to applying for a passport. While governmentissued identification might seem to provide the same information, each id has unique characteristics. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. Passport books are larger than cards and come with many pages for customs stamps. Mar 18, 2020 the passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. Aug 10, 2012 no two government id documents are alike. Learn more about how a passport card differs from a passport book. Both passport cards and books are also acceptable on shore excursions such as the white pass and yukon. Passport cards are a form of us passport that are the size of a credit card or driver s license. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults, and five years for travelers under age 16.
Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card. You must have the original copies of all required documents. If not you should carry your passport book around, but that would be very stressful. Depending on where you are traveling outside of the u. When you renew your passport card, the state department will clip off one corner of your old passport card to mark it as cancelled. One is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. Passport clarification needed page 46 ask a cruise. Do you know the difference between a passport and a passport card. If you get a passport book and card at the same time, they will expire at the same time. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card.
Well clear that up in the article below, and give you a couple good reasons why you may want to have both at the same time. Both the book and the card are equally valid as proof of identity and citizenship, and can be used for domestic air travel. The state departments website offers complete details and an online application form. Otherwise you will need to use form ds11 to apply for a passport card. Getting a card only allows you to visit canada and mexico. What is the difference between a passport book and. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. Department of state passport services recently began issuing the passport card as an alternative to the traditional passport book. That being said, i recently got one simply because it is convenient to use in. If you are applying for both a book and a card at the same time, you only need to submit one passport photo.
Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport. 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. 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. The other is the passport card, which is just like a drivers license. I f youve wondered what the difference is between a passport book and a passport card, youve come to the right place.
Oct 07, 2017 whether you get the passport book card both are valid for 10 years. How do i know if my passport card has been cancelled. Your old passport card will be marked cancelled by having one corner clipped off. 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. Both firsttime applicants and renewing applicants pay more for passports than they do for passport cards. 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. Whether you choose a passport book or a passport card is up to you. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport. A book allows you to travel anywhere else assuming you have all the other documents, visas etc. Differences between a passport book and passport card. The passport card has the same validity as the passport book ten years for adults and five years for children ages 15 and younger. I have both the passport book and the passport card.
If you want to renew both a valid passport book and passport card, you must submit both documents. A passport book is required for all international travel by air. Passport cards and passport books are no exception. 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. While both passport book and card are valid to cross into canada by train, united states citizens over the age of 16 also have several alternative options. 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. Enhanced drivers license many people may not know but depending on the state that you live in a third option is available to you. You cannot use a passport card when traveling by air internationally. 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. Unless you use the mobile passport app, youll have to. For the actual application process for the passport card, if you already have a passport book, they. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their travels abroad.
Everything else about the application process is the same for each type of passport. Well help you determine whether you want or need to pay extra for the passport card. In 2008, the united states government introduced a passport card, which can be used to travel to some countries. Both the passport book and passport card serve as proof of your u. They are valid for five years from the date of issue, just like a minor passport book. What is the difference between a passport book and a.
Get a passport card with your passport renewal g3passports. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. A passport card is cheaper than a passport book, but cant be used for air travel and. If youre planning a trip to any other destination, then you would need a u. Can you use the passport card for travel to the bahamas. Minor children will need to have their passports renewed every 5 years until they reach 16 years of age. They have been available to us citizens since 2008, and are meant to be a convenient way to prove your identity and citizenship. From passport cards to global entry, which trusted. On the top of the ds82 application for passport renewal, you can select both.
Although, keep in mind, while both can be used as forms of id when traveling, the. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. Question for those who applied for the passport book and. States must present a valid passport book, passport card or other. If you do not wish to use a third party, visit the u. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults, and five years for. You will need to fill in an official form and present identification and proof of citizenship. Both forms ask you to check a box indicating whether youre applying for a passport book, card or both. The validity for both adults and children are the same as a passport card. One question we see a lot online is what is a passport card. In part, this is because the passport card is the size of a standard id card, meaning that it can be carried with the same convenience as any other. 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. 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. 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.
I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. If you want to renew either a valid book or a card, you must submit the specific document you want to renew. Sometimes it makes life more convenient to have both a passport book and a card, and carry them both on your international travel. They can be used for land or sea travel to canada, mexico, bermuda. Jun 02, 2018 there are many americans especially based close to borders like those in seattle or new england who hold both a valid passport book and card. Cant see a reason youd need both other than another form of id that fits in your wallet. For example, if you can submit a passport book, but you lost your passport card, you cannot renew the passport card.
The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. Can i apply for a passport card and passport book using. The passport card is only valid for entry into the united states at land border crossings or sea ports of entry. Should i get a passport card to go along with my passport. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. Jan 23, 2019 should i choose a passport book or passport card. If you already only have the passport book, you can get the passport card as well when you apply for your next passport renewal. Application form ds11 can be used in order to apply for a passport book, passport card or both. When i became a usc, i applied for both together and my american wife who already had a passport book, got sufficiently inspired to get a passport card herself. You can use the passport card to keep in your wallet at all times, with the passport book at home and ready to go should the need. Yes, passport cards can be renewed just like passport books. I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. If you have a us passport book, there really is no need to get the passport card.
The passport card is good for entering the united states on land border crossings and sea ports of entry from canada, mexico, bermuda and the caribbean. Can i renew my usa passport book and passport card separately. Someone needing to take a flight to dubai, or hop a freighter to asia for work may consider applying for both a passport book and card at the same time and only take the one they need, leaving the other behind as a backup for their loved ones to forward in an emergency. A passport book provides valid identification for any national or. In a short period of time, passport services received over 350,000 applications for the passport card. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is not required that you obtain both. 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. Both passport books and cards are valid for 10 years, so if it fits your travel plans. I know i will have to mail my passport in to get it renewed.
If you have a passport book and you are eligible to use form ds82, you may apply for a passport card as a renewal by mail even if it is your first passport card. If the passport card and passport book are applied for at different times, the applicant would need to. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. 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. The passport card is a wallet side document that will be used to expedite document processing from the u. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. Does a passport card work to go to canada by train. Travel articles do you need a passport or a passport card. If im only renewing the passport book do i need to send in both the book and the card or just. There is no reason to ever get a passport card, unless you only travel to canada, mexico or caribbean. You can apply for both the book and card with the same. An adult passport card looks similar to a drivers license, and is valid for ten years. If you are applying for a passport, youll need to consider whether to get a passport book or a passport card. What is the difference between a passport book and passport card.
Yes, 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 renewal. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. In this post, you will get the benefits of having both documents. For complete instructions and a link to download the form, click the link below. The passport publication has lots of pages for arrivaldeparture stamps and visas, while the passport card is a id card. If not you should carry your passport book around, but that would. Your photo will be digitized and printed onto both your passport book and passport card. 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.
Yes, you can apply for both a passport book and passport card at the same. Second, a good argument can be made that the passport card is more useful than the passport book for the limited circumstances in which it can be used. To enter canada, your passport book or card must be valid at the time of entry. Today, united states citizens need a passport to travel to neighboring countries such as mexico and canada. Youll need to submit both documents when you do your next renewal. If you think having both will serve your purpose, then go ahead and get them. Department of state has a simpletoread list of facts. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. Can i apply for a passport card and passport book using the same. Adults will need to have their passport renewed every 10 years. You must renew your passport book at the same time that your apply for your passport card so your passport book and card have the same number. While the book can still be used to cross by land into canada or mexico, it can be a little cumbersome to carry a full book when a card conveniently fits in any wallet. I will need to renew my passport after out cruise in may as it wont be valid for our cruises in october and november.
How to know if you need a passport book or passport card. 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. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. Difference between a passport book and passport card. 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. Enhanced drivers license many people may not know but depending on the. If youre traveling by airplane, youll need to use a passport book no matter what. And again, applying for a passport book comes with higher fees. The passport book and passport card are both proof of your.
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