Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. Is a question frequently asked by our readers if you are traveling to mexico, canada, and the caribbean as a u. If you are applying for both a book and a card at the. If you miss your ship or have an emergency and need to fly home, the card will do you no good. A us passport card can only be used for land and sea travel to canada, mexico or the caribbean. To enter canada, your passport book or card must be valid at the time of entry. Passport requirements for travel to jamaica getaway usa.
Citizens of some countries, like those based in the european economic area, dont need a full passport book when traveling across borders, but instead carry a national identity card. In order to apply for your first passport card, youll need the same documentation you need to apply for a passport book. When you apply for a passport card, youll spend less money than you would when. Visa, mastercard, diners club international and american express cards are accepted. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card. See the chart below to decide which is best for you. Jan 11, 2019 the passport card is also commonly used for travelers that wish to take a cruise but do not plan on ever traveling by plane. If you are traveling on to europe, youll need a passport with at least three months of remaining validity from. Anyone who will travel internationally by air must have a passport book.
Do i need a passport book, passport card, or passport book. The purpose of the passport book is to allow entry and exit to any country in the world. If issued for the full validity, they are both proof of your u. Passport cards are particularly useful for some people. You will also need a new passport photo, a completed ds82 if submitting by mail and the application fee. 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 already have a passport book or passport card, you can renew by mail using form. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their. You can get both, but you can just choose one, depending on what kind of travel you are planning to do. The passport card is also commonly used for travelers that wish to take a cruise but do not plan on ever traveling by plane.
However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. Jun 02, 2018 from an american perspective, passport cards are fairly unique. Passport book vs passport card for kids the dis disney. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport.
The passport card is designed to be a less expensive and more. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. However, if you lose your driver license or passport book, you are in for. What is the difference between a passport book and passport. Aug 10, 2012 a passport book is bigger than a passport card.
If youve never had a us passport before, this article outlines how you go about getting a passport book not passport card for the first time if youre living in the us and are an adult. The passport card is only valid for entry into the united states at land border crossings or sea ports of entry. Can you upgrade from a passport card to a passport book. The passport card will facilitate entry and expedite document processing at u. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card.
You cannot use a passport card when traveling by air internationally. It can also be used for domestic air travel in the usa. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. 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 need to fill in an official form and present identification and proof of citizenship. If you already have a passport book, you might be able to apply for your very first passport card by mail. Difference between a passport book and passport card. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. If you need an emergency passport for immediate international travel or for. Well help you determine whether you want or need to pay extra for the passport card. The passport book is a real passport, and allows you to fly internationally. Nov 17, 2010 if you wish to get a passport, of course you may. If you fly to jamaica, a passport book is the only acceptable form of identification, despite jamaicas membership of the western hemisphere travel initiative. To enter the united states at land border crossings or sea portsofentry from canada, mexico, the.
You wont be able to use a passport card for air travel to or from the island. If you do not wish to use a third party, visit the u. It is smaller and more convenient to carry than a passport book, and it is less expensive to obtain. 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. The passport book and passport card are both proof of your. Do you know the difference between a passport and a passport card. If you are applying for both a book and a card at the same time, you only need to submit one passport photo. Learn more about entry and exit requirements and safety and security in mexico on our country information page. If you lose your passport card, just apply for a new one after your trip. A passport card is only for land or sea travel within north america and the caribbean region. If you already hold a passport book, your card will be issued with a different number. It was introduced on july 18th, 2008 and over 7 million passport cards have been issued since then. 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 is a smaller version of a passport book and fits inside a wallet. What is the difference between a passport book and passport card. Aug 18, 2016 the passport book allows for all travel, by air, land, and sea and youll need the passport book in order to receive a travel visa. I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time. A passport book is required for all international travel by air. Jun 03, 2014 do you need a passport book or passport card.
However, if youre going on a caribbean cruise departing from the u. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. You must have the original copies of all required documents. Problems may arise if you are forced to fly or disembark at an international location where you legally need a passport book to return through. 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. To renew a childs passport bookcard you would need to submit the paperwork via the post office and you will need an appointment to do this. Although cruise passport requirements vary depending on where youll be sailing, you will usually need either a passport card or a passport book. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. If you dont want to spend the money for the full passport i would save what. If theres the slightest possibility that youre going to travel by air in the next 10 years, it would. Ed perkins a nationally recognized reporter, writer, and consumer advocate, ed perkins focuses on how travelers can find the best deals and avoid. This case is an unfortunate example of what can go wrong if you decide to cruise with just a passport card. Ds11 only has options under have you ever had either a passport cardbook for no, loststolen, or submitted with application.
Aug 10, 2012 in order to apply for your first passport card, youll need the same documentation you need to apply for a passport book. Differences between a passport book and passport card. Passports need a passport apply for a passport card. You do not need a valid passport book in order to apply for a passport id card, and you can apply for either the card only, or you can apply for a passport book and a passport card at the same time. When you get ready to renew your passport, make sure you have the actual physical book or card. The passport card will match the expiry date of your passport book, if you have less than 5 years validity remaining. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. If you have a valid passport book, you do not have to get a passport card as well. If you are applying for a passport, youll need to consider whether to get a passport book or a passport card. 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.
You never know when you might need to get off the ship because of an. I read somewhere that a birth certificate is also considered proof of citizenship. Travel articles do you need a passport or a passport card. Here are more details about how to apply for a passport card. Sometimes it makes life more convenient to have both a passport book and a card, and carry them both on your international travel. Department of state passport services recently began issuing the passport card as an alternative to the traditional passport book. 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 application process for a passport card is very similar to applying for a passport. Passport cards are valid for land and sea travel to and from canada, mexico and the countries of the caribbean. The card comes in very handy because it is much easier to handle. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. The passport book allows for all travel, by air, land, and sea and youll need the passport book in order to receive a travel visa.
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. But you should consider what will happen if you miss the boat and need to take a flight to catch up with it. I cant submit my passport book, i need it for work. June 3, 2014 by travel maestro leave a comment johns u. A passport card is cheaper than a passport book, but cant be used for air travel and. How to apply for a new passport card rush my passport. You will be required to submit your expired passport bookcard with your application. S citizens that want to travel by land or sea to canada, mexico, and the caribbean. The card is for people who frequently drive across the border but dont intend to fly. In a short period of time, passport services received over 350,000 applications for the passport card. 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. A previous passport book holder, eligible to use form ds82, may apply for a.
It will otherwise carry the rights and privileges of the u. You can use this creditcardsized document to reenter the united states from mexico, canada, bermuda and the caribbean when traveling by land or sea. They are valid for five years from the date of issue, just like a minor passport book. Yes, if you have a passport card, you can obtain a passport book.
Depending on where you are traveling outside of the u. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. Passport card department of foreign affairs and trade. A passport book can be used for any meas of travel anywhere in the world. From an american perspective, passport cards are fairly unique. In addition to being mandatory for air travel, it can offer peace of mind for emergencies. The card may not be used to travel by air outside the united states. Ed perkins a nationally recognized reporter, writer, and consumer advocate, ed perkins focuses on. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. If theres the slightest possibility that youre going to travel by air in the next 10 years, it would be better if you simply obtain the passport book. A passport card can be used on cruises that loop through the caribbean, for example. Because although you can cruise with just a passport card, you cant fly anywhere internationally with.
In order to apply for a passport book by mail, your current passport must meet the following requirements. All you need to do is check mark passport card on the application and order. The passport book is the most common passport to carry. Adults who already have a fully valid passport book may apply for the card as a passport renewal.