All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. The us passport book vs passport card salon prive mag. 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. A passport card also could be useful for alaska cruises, as long as all border crossings into canada are done by land or sea. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. Us passport book and passport card online application. Can only be used in land and sea travels, not by air. Passport card is also valid for international travel but by land or sea only. The passport book is accepted for any form of international travel and is also the document that holds your visas. The us passport book vs passport card debate has many of us confused as to which one we should apply.
It will otherwise carry the rights and privileges of the u. The passport card is a cheaper alternative to the passport book. The passport card is a walletsize card and is meant to be used only when reentering the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at landborder crossings or sea portsofentry. See the chart below to decide which is best for you. The total amount will depend on the service you require and any additional services you might need or want. Difference between passport book and passport card can be a new subject to you if you are not a citizen of the united states of america. Additionally, the cost of the passport card is significantly less than the passport book. A passport card is valid for travel to and from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda at land border crossings and sea portsofentry. As passport books allows more activities as compare to passport card so they tend to cost more as well. Passport book and passport card are two terms that are often used these days by many citizens of the united states who are applying for a passport for the first time. However, if youre considering a passport book vs passport card, just get both.
Passport card is wallet sized document while passport book size is 5. If you are applying for a passport, youll need to consider whether to get a passport book or a passport card. So, given the differences between a passport book vs passport card, which one is right for you. You will also need the passport book in order to receive a travel visa from countries that require an.
The passport book has plenty of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps, while the passport card is a onepiece creditcardsized id card. Unless you are planning on driving to cancunor riding a cruise, you would need the book. If issued for the full validity, they are both proof of your u. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is not.
While the passport card is more convenient due to its size, it is far more restricted in use than the passport book. I am going to the bahamas in june, and need a passport, when i went to apply online, they gave me all three options, with the same criteria for each option, and no explantion of the difference between them. A passport is an official document that allows you to leave your country and go abroad. A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land sea. A passport book is valid for any international travel by air, sea or land. The passport card will facilitate entry and expedite document processing at u.
The card may not be used to travel by air outside the united states. Passport card was designed for the specific needs of the traveler between the northern and southern borders of the united states. The difference between a passport book or card getaway usa. We may be compensated if you make a purchase via a link on this site. Unless you use the mobile passport app, youll have to stand in. Passport books are larger than cards and come with many pages for customs stamps. Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. 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. Difference between passport book and passport card. Difference between a passport book and passport card.
A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. The primary differences determine where and how the holder may travel. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. The cardformat passport is for international travel by u. Passport book for reentry into the united states from any country. But given the cards restrictions, does it even make sense for a u. The passport book comes in both a standard, 24page version and a bigger, 52page version for those who travel frequently. As of march 25, 2020, post offices which are still accepting applications are requiring customers to make an online appointment to apply in. What is the difference between a passport and a passport. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card. The passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. A passport book is required for all international travel by air. This is a privately owned website and not a government agency. Passport book or passport card cancun forum tripadvisor.
Both the book and the card are equally valid as proof of identity and citizenship, and can be used for domestic air travel. The passport booklet may be the widelyused choice, but u. Below is a handy list of pros and cons to help you decide. You can also use it where a passport card is needed such as to cross the. If anyone wants to leave or to enter the united states by air, a passport book must be shown to the u. Many passport application acceptance facilities, which include libraries, clerks of court, and post offices, are not accepting u.
A passport book is valid for all types of travel land, sea or air to any destination. Excellent form of official identification for children or nondrivers. Use the 2020 passport fees table to help you calculate the cost of getting your passport. While there are similarities between a passport book and passport card, it is crucial that those holding either the passport book or card and individuals needing to obtain a passport for the first time know the differences. Residency document rental or lease agreement, mortgage or utility bill, etc. Both may be applied for simultaneously by paying the respective fees for each. If you are unsure if you own a federal id card with the new security features, look at your license or identification card. 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. If you see it has a star on the upperright side on the front of the card, then it is a federally complaint card. It is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors under 16. The us passport card is a credit cardsized identification document. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is not requried that you obtain both.
Any us citizen wishing to travel internationally via air must have a passport book. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport 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. No passport or passport card is required to travel to overseas u. It was designed for people who travel frequently between the us and canada, mexico, bermuda or the caribbean by land or sea. This means you cannot fly to canada, mexico, or the caribbean with a passport card. You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a passport book.
You can now apply for a passport book and a passport card. If you still got any questions about us passport book and card, you can always contact travel visa pro. Another difference between the passport card and passport book is the size of each document. If youre a frequent traveler to canada or mexico by land or sea, then the passport card can be a budgetfriendly option.
I f youve wondered what the difference is between a passport book and a passport card, youve come to the right place. However, it doesnt always make sense to have only the passport card, especially if you plan to travel by plane overseas. From passport cards to global entry, which trusted. 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. For more information on applying for a new passport book or card, a renewal or other passport questions, please contact covingtons helpful business travel advisors. The passport card is a very handy tool to have in your vital document wallet. 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 need to travel internationally, you must have a passport book. Do i need a passport book, passport card, or passport book and card. Passport card is not a globally recognized travel document like the traditional u. In conclusion, the passport book versus passport card is important to know. It is required during the international travel via air, land or sea.
The state departments website offers complete details and an online application form. Weigh the cost of a passport versus a passport card. Residents who do not have a real id or a passport in compliant states will not be able to fly domestically. You can apply by mail using form ds82 if you have a passport book or card that. Many overseas countries need nothing more for entrance compared to a u. Passport card versus passport book a passport card will be cheaper than a regular passport for you to obtain. A passport book may not be a massive document by any means, but having something as small as the card to fit in your wallet is definitely less of a hassle. 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. Passport book is valid for international travel by air, sea, or land. To date, more than 17 million passport cards have been issued, according to the state department, representing about 10 percent of all passport holders.
A citizen or national is allowed to hold both a passport card and a passport book. The passport card is walletsize while the passport book is 5x3 12 when closed. Do i need a passport book, passport card, or passport book. State department issues two versions of a passport. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. The passport card contains a radio frequency identification chip as well as the traditional photograph and personal information found in a passport book. Passport book the passport book is designed to be used for all types of international travel. A passport card can be used to enter the us states at land border crossing or seaportsof. 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. The passport book is the same as the original passport you need it when youre going to travel by airplane.
Passport card is a walletsize travel document that can be used for land or sea travel to canada, mexico, bermuda, and the caribbean whereas a passport book can be used for international travel to all destinations by air, land, or sea. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults, and five years for travelers under age 16. Differences between a passport book and passport card. Passport fees 2020 for routine and expedited services. Proof of social security number ss card, a w2, or a pay stub with full ssn. Citizens who are only looking to visit certain foreign countries, and travel by land or sea, actually prefer this choice, but is the passport card actually worth the money. What is the difference between validity of the passport book and passport card. Passport cardbasically a limiteduse passport enhanced drivers licenseacts both as a driver license and a travel document, but also with limits well walk you through the basic differences of each of these documents, and help you determine which one is right for you. Its in the form of a booklet and states your name, birthday. Your passport number is at the top right corner of the page your photo is on.
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