There are several options when it comes to forms of identification for travel. Differences between a passport book and passport card. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. 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. State department issues two versions of a passport. For most forms of international travel which you might wish to do in the future, a passport book is required. If you find yourself frequently traveling to canada or mexico but not so much the rest of the world, a passport card is one way to help pinch some pennies.
The passport card has one fee for us citizens when you apply for the first time, and another fee when you already have a passport. See the chart below to decide which is best for you. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. The difference between the numbers is two digits and the letter c. However, people find a passport card more convenient and accessible when carrying. I currently have a passport card that was issued in june 2009. However, a passport card is only a valid form of id for travel within the u. A passport book is valid for all types of travel land. 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. Whats the difference between a us passport book and card.
Passport card is wallet sized document while passport book size is 5. Only available for passport book applicants in the united states not canada. Passport cards and passport books are no exception. Passport card vs passport book cruise, cost, airline, 747.
However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. Green card vs citizenship become a citizen or keep green card. If youre leaving for an international trip, your passport is the one essential item you cant leave home. For domestic travel, the passport card is easier to carry because its walletsized. You can just slip it in your wallet, right behind your drivers license. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. If you are also applying for a renewal of your passport book and you opt for expedited service by mail, your passport book will arrive in 23 weeks, but your passport card may arrive in a separate envelope several weeks later. Can i upgrade from a passport card to a passport book. To be considered as an adult you must be 16 or older, and to be. In this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel.
However, i still have a passport card anyway, i use it as my primary form of id, an. If issued for the full validity, they are both proof of your u. The rules are ever changing and to have the smoothest trip possible youll need to know which identification is the right one for you and your traveling group. You must have the original copies of all required documents. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. 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. Well help you determine whether you want or need to pay extra for the passport card. What is the difference between a passport book and.
A passport book provides valid identification for any national or international travel. See below the differences between a passport book vs. Also, if you get a passport card separately from your passport, it has a different number and expiration date also costs a. 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. What is the differences between passport book vs passport. The most obvious difference between passport books and passport cards is the design, of course. The correct form of identification is really important when you travel. Passport book lets you travel by air internationally, but the card doesnt. 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. On the top of the ds82 application for passport renewal, you can select both. They let you travel to canada, mexico, bermuda, and the caribbean by land and sea. We are now planning on taking a flight out of the country and i need a passport book.
I bought a passport card a few months ago to go on a cruise. Cost the passport card is a cheaper alternative to the passport book. Difference between passport book and passport card. The cards cost less than the books, but cant be used for air travel. While the passport card is more convenient due to its size, it is far more restricted in use than the passport book. Visa, mastercard, diners club international and american express cards are accepted. The walletsized passport card is designed to be more convenient and less cumbersome than regular passports.
Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card. The process for getting or renewing a passport card is the same as for a regular passport. Passport if you are thinking about applying for or renewing a u. The difference between a passport book or card getaway usa. 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. Any us citizen wishing to travel internationally via air must have a passport book. Only one execution fee is charged for an individual applying for both a card and book at the same time. If you need a passport faster than 23 weeks, a thirdparty expediting service can submit your passport application for you for same day processing. A citizen or national is allowed to hold both a passport card and a passport book. Passport card department of foreign affairs and trade. 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. Passport the application process is the same for either the passport book or card, even if you want both at the same time. Your passport book allows you to travel by land, by sea, or by air. Excellent form of official identification for children or nondrivers.
Applying for a new passport or passport card quicklyeither before or after the april 2 deadline passesmay be a good idea. Shepherd said that some travelers might prefer to use a passport card for domestic flights because it is smaller, easier to carry and less expensive than a regular passport. There are, however, some key differences that need to be considered. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. When a passport card might be just what you need for travel there are few travelers in this world who arent interested in trying to save money while on vacation. You cannot use a passport card when traveling by air internationally.
This service is not available for passport card applicants. The passport card is designed to be a less expensive and more portable alternative to the passport book. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. The us passport book vs passport card salon prive mag. Since the passport card is apparently worthless, it is better to leave that than your actual passport. To begin with, passport cards can not be used for air travel. Can you upgrade from a passport card to a passport book. Passport book is a globally recognized travel document while passport card is not a globally recognized document. Government fees have increased, but they havent increased the speed. 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. It is smaller and more convenient to carry than a passport book, and it is less expensive to obtain. There are different passport card fees depending on if you are an adult or a minor. What is the diffference between a passport book and a.
The passport card will match the expiry date of your passport book, if you have less than 5 years validity remaining. If so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. 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. A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. The passport book has lots of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps. Difference between a passport book and passport card. 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. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. You can use the irish passport card for travel within the european. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. United states citizens can use an official passport card to enter canada if driving across the border or entering from the sea.
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. If youre leaving for an international trip, your passport is. However, if you get a passport card, it cannot be used for travel by air. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to barbados. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. A passport card is less expensive than a traditional passport book. The adult and minor passport card fees are about the same. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for. 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. Learn more about how a passport card differs from a passport book. 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. I will be needing to get a passport book within the next couple of years so i can travel to barbados. What is the difference between a passport card number and. How to get a passport card fast applying for a passport card by mail will take up to 8 weeks.