Both may be applied for simultaneously by paying the respective fees for each. Differences between a passport book and passport card. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. Us passports vs enhanced drivers licenses rush my passport. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. Residency document rental or lease agreement, mortgage or utility bill, etc. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. A passport book is valid for any international travel by air, sea or land. Both documents are valid for 10 years for adults 16 and older, and 5 years for those under the age of 16. If you are traveling within 2 weeks or need a foreign visa within 4 weeks, you should make an appointment at a passport agency or center.
Nov 20, 2017 a passport card allows significantly fewer opportunities for the holder to travel, but often its enough for some. This is because a passport book is the booklet containing information about the person to whom it has been issued, which is in addition to a number of blank pages that can be used for travel visas as well as the stamps when said individuals enters and exits a country. However, you can always get a passport card which is the same size as a drivers license. Passport book is valid for international travel by air, sea, or land. Learn more about how a passport card differs from a 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. Passport book vs passport card for kids the dis disney. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. Proof of social security number ss card, a w2, or a pay stub with full ssn. Apply for a passport card united states department of state. Both the passport book and passport card serve as proof of your u. The us passport book vs passport card salon prive mag. What is the difference between a passport book and passport. Passport cards and passport books are no exception.
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. Difference between passport book and passport card. The passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. Expedited at agency processing time does not include mailing time. The us passport card is a credit cardsized identification document. The passport card is a cheaper alternative to the passport book. Also called tourist passports, regular passports, and ordinary passports, the passport book with the blue cover is the one issued to the vast majority of us citizens. Secondly, they fit more comfortably in your wallet than a passport book does, so they are more convenient. The fee to obtain a passport card and passport book also changes. Passport book is valid for air, land and sea travel. If you need to travel internationally, you must have a passport book. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their travels abroad. Jun 20, 2019 passport book is valid for international travel by air, sea, or land. 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.
Routine and expedited processing times include mailing time. One is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. 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. We hope this helped you to consider your options about a passport vs. Passport card is also valid for international travel but by land or sea only.
It will be a benefit when using it to travel this is a privately owned website and not a government agency. The passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. Unless you use the mobile passport app, youll have to. Passport book lets you travel by air internationally, but the card doesnt. It was designed for people who travel frequently between the u. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. From passport cards to global entry, which trustedtraveler. However, people find a passport card more convenient and accessible when carrying. Of the internal pages, 17 are blank pages marked visas that are meant for travel visas and country entry and exit stamps.
Passport card versus passport book a passport card will be cheaper than a regular passport for you to obtain. The walletsized passport card is designed to be more convenient and less cumbersome than regular passports. It has several pages for visas and travel documents. First of all, they are cheaper than getting a passport. 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. As the other two answers have hinted at, unless you live near the us border or youre traveling by sea vessel, the passport card is rubbish at its stated purpose. A name change document, like a marriage certificate, may also be required. A passport card is valid for travel to and from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda at land border crossings and sea portsofentry. One of the advantages to having a us passport card is the miniscule size making it easy to store in a wallet or purse. 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. Jan 06, 2009 if you apply for a passport card it will be issued valid for 10 years regardless of the expiration date of your passport book. The other is the passport card, which is just like a drivers license. If issued for the full validity, they are both proof of your u. Passport card is wallet sized document while passport book size is 5.
You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a passport book. 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. Passport cardbasically a limiteduse passport enhanced drivers licenseacts both as a driver license and a travel document, but also with limits. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land sea. These come in the form of a traditional passport book, along with a passport card.
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. However, if youre considering a passport book vs passport card, just get both. 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. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book.
The good news is a passport card is generally valid for the same time and has the same application process as a 26 or 52page passport book. Passport card vs passport book carnival cruise lines. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. The processing times below apply to all passport services. People, who are living us border communities, can make use of the passport card. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive. Difference between a passport book and passport card. 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.
Oct 16, 2017 the passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. The most obvious difference between passport books and passport cards is the design, of course. Here are the countries and territories where a us passport card is valid. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air. It is appropriate for all travel purposes except for travel for us government purposes, including tourist travel, business travel, flight crew travel, and travel. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. See the chart below to decide which is best for you. If so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. Passport book for reentry into the united states from any country.
Nov 23, 2018 proof of social security number ss card, a w2, or a pay stub with full ssn. We have three kids and there is a pretty big price difference between the types of passports. First of all, a passport card can be used for travel by sea to barbados. Your passport number is at the top right corner of the page your photo is on.
We want you to know about a few differences between the book. Oct 23, 2017 passport card versus passport book a passport card will be cheaper than a regular passport for you to obtain. As passport books allows more activities as compare to passport card so they tend to cost more 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. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport.
Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. The difference between passport and passport card us. Any us citizen wishing to travel internationally via air must have a passport book. The passport book is your typical passport, a bound, paged booklet that is issued by the us department of state verifying your identity and nationality, usually for the purpose of traveling internationally all international air travel for us passport holders, regardless of origin or destination airport, must be accompanied by a valid us passport book. Difference between passport book and passport card compare. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. It is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors under 16. Passport card for a reduced fee if you only plan to travel by land or sea to and from canada, mexico, bermuda, or the caribbean nations. Oct 07, 2017 whether you get the passport book card both are valid for 10 years. However, the passport book is valid for all forms of travel. So, given the differences between a passport book vs passport card, which one is right for you. The processing time of the passport book will be within 4 to 6 weeks. Its in the form of a booklet and states your name, birthday.
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. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. If you apply for a passport card it will be issued valid for 10 years regardless of the expiration date of your passport book. The traditional us passport book is what you would expect from a passport while the us passport card is the size of a credit card or regular sized drivers license. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card. Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages. Your passport book allows you to travel by land, by sea, or by air. What is the diffference between a passport book and a. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. Generally speaking, when someone is thinking about a passport, chances are good that they are thinking about a passport book.
The passport book is a thin cardboard cover with your picture and information inside it. Types of us passport books get your passport book today. Be aware of the fact that a passport card is only valid for land and sea travel to canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. Enhanced drivers license many people may not know but depending on the. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. For flight travel abroad you will need a new passport book by mid 2009. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a. The difference between a passport book or card getaway usa. Processing time of passport book and passport card passport book. The passport card contains a radio frequency identification chip as well as the traditional photograph and personal information found in a passport book. The passport card is basically an individual credit cardsized id. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail.
Passport card versus passport book should i get a passport. We need to understand the difference between a passport card and a passport book. A citizen or national is allowed to hold both a passport card and a passport book. A passport book provides valid identification for any national or international travel. Apr 24, 2015 as the other two answers have hinted at, unless you live near the us border or youre traveling by sea vessel, the passport card is rubbish at its stated purpose. A passport card allows significantly fewer opportunities for the holder to travel, but often its enough for some.
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. They let you travel to canada, mexico, bermuda, and the caribbean by land and sea. 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. The passport card is smaller when compared to the size of passport book. It contains several pages like the passport details page which provides the holders name,date of birth, passport expiry date etc as well as other blank pages for visa and immigration stamping a passport card is a portable pocket sized card similar to a credit card that fits in your wallet. You can just slip it in your wallet, right behind your drivers license. The us passport card is a small passport card, about the size of a credit card, that contains your photo. Although, keep in mind, while both can be used as forms of id. 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. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel.
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