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 card is only valid for land and sea travel to canada, mexico, and the caribbean. If you think that your children might need a passport book in the near future, then you might want to apply for this. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. The card provides a smaller, more convenient, and less expensive alternative to the passport book for those who travel frequently to these destinations by land or sea. 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. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land sea.
The difference between passport books and passport cards. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. 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. Passport book vs passport card for kids the dis disney. Any united states citizen over the age of 16 can apply for an adult passport card. Adult passports are valid for 10 years and may be renewed by mail.
First of all, they are cheaper than getting a passport. What is the differences between passport book vs passport card. However, a passport card is only a valid form of id for travel within the u. Im preparing to fly out of the united states for the first time, and im working on getting my passport application filled out. Parental consent and signatures are mandatory for passport issuance for minors under age 16 and for renewals. Like passport books, adult passport cards remain valid for 10 years from the date of issue. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. A us passport card is a passport product, much like a us passport book. If you are traveling to canada or mexico or bermuda or the caribbean or within the united states, it can come in handy, especially if you dont want to carry around your actual passport. Can only be used in land and sea travels, not by air.
It is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors under 16. The requirements are the same for the passport card as those for the passport book. The passport card is the size of a credit card and can easily fit in a wallet while the size of a passport is 5. As such, the passport card is adjudicated to the exact standards as the passport book. Passport book is valid for air, land and sea travel.
Differences between a passport book and passport card. All children under age 16 must apply for a passport in person with two parents or. The passport card will match the expiry date of your passport book, if you have less than 5 years validity remaining. Validity of a passport book is 10 years for adults, 5 years for minors under age 16 the size of a passport book is approximately 5 x 3. The purpose of the passport book is to allow entry and exit to any country in the world. For the love of physics walter lewin may 16, 2011 duration. Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. If your travel plans take you to a country bordering the u. Difference between passport book and passport card compare. Passport cards and books are both valid for 10 years. Oct 19, 2016 if you purchase the wrong one, then you will be forced to pay even more monies for the correct passport and most likely incur huge expediting fees too. The passport card is a fully valid passport that attests to the u. Theres an option for a 52page nonstandard passport, and i was wondering when it makes sense to get the 52page passport vs whatever is in the normal passport. Us passports vs enhanced drivers licenses rush my passport.
Whether you get the passport book card both are valid for 10 years. 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. A passport book is valid for any international travel by air, sea or land. Agree with the privacy agreement on the first page, and on the next page select the apply online option on bottom left hand side of page, click on submit and proceed with the application. Oci is on my old passport and it has not been transferred to my new passport, can i travel. The passport card is smaller when compared to the size of passport book. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. They allow you to visit other countries and are also a form of photo identification.
Passport for kids child passport how to get a passport. Please read the following important notes before completing the online application. However, both are different in terms of what you can do with them. This service is not available for passport card applicants.
The state departments website offers complete details and an online. 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. Only one execution fee is charged for an individual applying for both a card and book at the same time. If not, then the passport card should suffice for your trip to the bahamas. 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. Additionally, the passport card is a lot more economical than a traditional passport.
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. Along with allowing for international travel, passports can be used to prove your identity and citizenship, especially when you need multiple forms of identification. Minors 16 and 17 years of age do require a passport book or passport card, unless they are traveling by land or sea with a recognized group or organization. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison diffen.
You cannot use the passport book for international flights. The best way to give consent is for both parentsguardians to go with the child when applying. In a short period of time, passport services received over 350,000 applications for the passport card. However, you can always get a passport card which is the same size as a drivers license. A passport card is less expensive than a traditional passport book. Passport card department of foreign affairs and trade.
It is even cheaper to buy both a passport and passport card at one time. 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 hold a passport book, your card will. I want to get my 3 kids passports for our cruise in october. Payment has to be made separately for each applicant. Only available for passport book applicants in the united states not canada. Difference between passport book and passport card.
Do minors need a passport card to cross into canada. Applicants must provide documents which attest to their u. Validity duration of passport book and passport card. You cannot use a passport card when traveling by air internationally. 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. All you have to do is mark the passport application to show you are requesting both the passport book and passport card. Passport applications for children under 16 have special requirements. Keep in mind that children under age 16 cannot renew their passports. How will the completed passport book andor passport card be sent to me. Both documents have a validity of 10 years for adults 16 or older and 5 years for minors under the age of 16. When should i get a 52page united states passport vs.
For adults, around 10 years, the passport card is valid. Passport books are the common thing that comes to mind whenever a passport is mentioned it is a travel document and identification in a booklet. 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. The united states passport card is an official identity and limited travel document issued by the. A passport book is required for all international travel by air. It is smaller and more convenient to carry than a passport book, and it is less expensive to obtain.
Passport book lets you travel by air internationally, but the card doesnt. Photocopy of your drivers license or other stateissued id front and back. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults, and five years for travelers under age 16. Passport card or book for my kids to go to the bahamas via. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. Minors under age 16 will need to submit copies of both parents passports or drivers licenses. For minors under the category of age 16, around 5 years, the passport book is valid. On the page titled passport products and fees, under processing methods choose the expedited at. 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. 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. Secondly, they fit more comfortably in your wallet than a passport book does, so they are more convenient. The passport book is the most common passport to carry. Passport the application process is the same for either the passport book or card, even if you want both at the same time. If so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card.
You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a passport book. You must have the original copies of all required documents. Us passport book vs us passport card us visa connection. You can mail your renewal application directly to the state department yourself. Usually, us passports will have a dark blue cover and have 28 pages, 17 pages of which are. See below the differences between a passport book vs. Excellent form of official identification for children or nondrivers. Visa, mastercard, diners club international and american express cards are accepted. Below is a comparison of the features of the california real idcompliant drivers license, real id identification card, u. To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to. Any us citizen wishing to travel internationally via air must have a passport book.
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. They let you travel to canada, mexico, bermuda, and the caribbean by land and sea. The passport card is a cheaper alternative to the passport book. Duration of validity, 10 years for adults, 5 years for minors under 16. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. 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. You can use this credit card sized document to reenter the united states from mexico, canada, bermuda and the caribbean when traveling by land or sea. Anyone who will travel internationally by air must have a passport book. For adults, around 10 years, the passport book is valid. The passport card or formally known as the people access security service card pass is small in size compared to a passport. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. A passport card is valid for travel to and from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda at land border crossings and sea portsofentry. Save yourself hassle with expedited passport services if you dont have the time or patience for applying for your u.
They are valid for five years from the date of issue, just like a minor passport book. The fee to obtain a passport card and passport book also changes. Can be used for international travel via land, sea, or air. 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. What is the differences between passport book vs passport. Can be used for travel to canada, mexico, and the caribbean by land or sea. If you are applying from outside ireland, there is an additional delivery cost of 5. If you do not receive a second mailing within 10 business days of receiving the first, please contact the national passport information center by email at. First of all, a passport card can be used for travel by sea to barbados. You should complete this form if you meet our requirements to renew your passport.
I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. You should complete this form if youre applying for the first time, youre applying for your child who is under age 16, or you dont meet our requirements to renew your passport 2. You will need to specify on the application whether you are applying only for the passport card or for both a passport book and a passport card. Department of state passport services recently began issuing the passport card as an alternative to the traditional 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. 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. That means you cannot use the passport card for air travel. Us passport book and passport card online application. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their travels abroad. Enhanced drivers license many people may not know but depending on the. The passport card is a walletsize travel document that can only be used to reenter the united states at land bordercrossings or portsofentry by sea from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda. Both parentsguardians must authorize the issuance of a childs passport. Passport cards, like passport books, are valid for 10 years from the date of issue or 5 years, for children age 15 and younger.
A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air. It is my understanding that it is better to have them in case of emergency. The following chart will give you a quick overview of the passport card versus the passport book. The most obvious difference between passport books and passport cards is the design, of course. A passport card can be used to enter the us states at land border crossing or seaportsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda.
Does a minor under 16 need to have parental or legal guardian consent when. For example, a passport card will only allow you travel to the caribbean, canada, mexico and bermuda. Difference between a passport book and passport card. The difference between a passport book or card getaway usa. Consumers also have the option of obtaining both a passport card and a regular passport. The passport card shares the same validity period as the passport book. The adult passport bundle, which includes a 10year passport book and 5year passport card for people aged over 18, costs 100.
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