To enter canada, your passport book or card must be valid at the time of entry. If you already have a passport book and you are eligible to use form. These rules do not apply to cruises roundtrip from san juan, puerto rico, as the island is a. 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. Its not tied to the validity of your passport book. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. Can i apply for a passport card and passport book using the same. Can i renew my passport book to get a passport card and a. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u.
I will be traveling this february to mexico cruise and would prefer to renew my passport just in case of an emergency. To date, more than 17 million passport cards have been issued, according to the state department, representing about 10 percent of all passport holders. Normally, when a person obtains a passport, this is what he or she will receive. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is not.
Once i get it back im going to apply for a passport card. Getting your us passport as easily and quickly as possible. Minor children will need to have their passports renewed every 5 years until. Carry both the card and the passport book in case of an emergency and you need to fly home. The passport book is the regular passport that youve seen before. This isnt an answer, though, since im not positive. Cant think of any reason that it would matter which way i went, so just want to get opinions. If you get a passport book and card at the same time, they will expire at the same time. The passport card cannot be used for international air travel, but it is still a great id to have in your wallet. May 10, 2010 the passport cards usefulness as an international travel identification document is so limited, its not adequate for most of its intended use. Passport books are valid for all international travel, no matter what the mode of transit is.
The passport card is designed to be a less expensive and more portable alternative to the passport book. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is not required that you obtain both. How to get a passport card when renewing your passport. To start, you will need to know whether you want a passport book, passport card, or both. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults. Both passport books and cards are valid for 10 years, so if it fits your travel plans. Yes, it is much easier to get a new passport book with a pasport card over copies. Passport book vs passport card for kids the dis disney. The passport card contains a radio frequency identification chip as well as the traditional photograph and personal information found in a passport book. 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. Lets take a look at the simplest and quickest ways to get your hands on a valid passport book or card.
If you plan to travel by air or wish to visit a country other than canada, mexico, bermuda or one of the other caribbean island nations, you should apply. Youll need to submit the same documentation for getting a passport card as you do for a passport book, so getting them both at the same time. Yes, passport cards can be renewed just like passport books. The passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. If not you should carry your passport book around, but that would be very stressful. An adult passport card looks similar to a drivers license, and is valid for ten years. Due to this, each one possesses its own particular upsides and downsides, meaning that each one might be bettersuited to some people out there than the other. The validity for both adults and children are the same as 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.
A passport book is valid for all types of travel land, sea or air to any destination. That being said, i recently got one simply because it is convenient to use in. The us passport card is a credit card sized identification document. The best way to cover all bases is to get both a passport card and standard passport, which you can easily do the next time you renew your passport. All the information an embassy needs is coded on the card, they just swipe it and a replacement is issued. How a passport can help you fly domestically state. Should you choose a passport book or a passport card. Your old passport card will be marked cancelled by having one corner clipped off. Some countries require you to carry your passport with you at all times. While customers rarely have two passport books, they commonly have both a passport book and a passport card.
You can get a us passport card, whether or not you currently hold a passport book. Nov 19, 2010 on the website, it shows the fee for getting a passport book and card at the same time. I applied for both a passport book and a passport card. To get a passport more quickly, you need to make an appointment at a. Passport card frequently asked questions with answers.
Mar 18, 2020 the passport book has plenty of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps, while the passport card is a onepiece credit card sized id card. You cannot use the passport card for international air travel, nor can you use it for travel to other international destinations. Both the passport card and passport book are proof of your u. 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.
So is it really a competition between a passport book and a passport card. Both passport books and cards are valid for 10 years. You should always wear identification, so i would suggest bringing your passport its a must and carry you card in your pocket. Jun, 2019 how to get a us passport book first time. As long as your passport is not significantly damaged, you should be able to.
Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. If you are applying for a passport, youll need to consider whether to get a passport book or a passport card. If an applicant already has a fullyvalid adult passport book issued within the last fifteen years, what form should be used to apply for a passport card. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. You can imagine my surprise when i found myself putting an x in the checkbox on my u. The department of state charges extra for a passport card, and you still must have a passport book if you are going to fly to an international destination, so you might think that you dont need the passport card. Passport cards are particularly useful for some people. Oct 07, 2017 whether you get the passport book card both are valid for 10 years.
As stated, the passport book and the passport card are not the same. While a passport book is valid for all types of travel land, sea or air to any destination. Adults will need to have their passport renewed every 10 years. The passport card should be a safe bet for them, but for other travelers, including cruisers, its foolhardy to do. Apr 06, 2016 getting a passport card for your child. Below is a handy list of pros and cons to help you decide.
The passport card is a wallet side document that will be used to expedite document processing from the u. Can i renew my passport book to get a passport card and a name change. I f youve wondered what the difference is between a passport book and a passport card, youve come to the right place. If issued for the full validity, they are both proof of your u. Can i renew my usa passport book and passport card separately. If so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. However, if you get a passport card, it cannot be used for travel by air.
I suspect that if you are applying for a passport card alone then they only care about the old card and not the book theyd also care about the book only if you were applying for both, so just not checking any of those options and not including the book with the application might work. If you have a us passport book, there really is no need to get the passport card. Both countries would have to agree accept id cards from the other countrys citizens in lieu of passports. A passport book is the official bookstyle document that allows a us citizen to travel internationally by land, sea or air. Carry both the passport card and the passport book in case of an emergency and you need to fly home.
It was designed for people who travel frequently between the us and canada, mexico, bermuda or the caribbean by land or sea. But given the card s restrictions, does it even make sense for a u. Differences between a passport book and passport card. Also, if you get a passport card separately from your passport, it has a different number and.
Well clear that up in the article below, and give you a couple good reasons why you may want to have both at the same time. H ave you ever wished your passport could fit inside your wallet. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card. Card is good from the us to canada, mexico, and the caribbean by land or sea, but not air travel. Travel articles do you need a passport or a passport card. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card. You may have heard about the passport card that the united states department of state now issues. I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time.
If you have a passport book and you are eligible to use form ds82, you may apply for a passport card as a renewal by mail even if it is your first passport card. If your travel plans fit the limitations of the passport card, then it is a budgetfriendly option to obtaining a passport book. My passport was issued to me when i was 17 years old and now 10 years later i believe i am eligible to renew it. There is no reason to ever get a passport card, unless you only travel to.
A passport card is the same size as a drivers license, and is official proof of your identity and us citizenship. Enhanced drivers license many people may not know but depending on the. While the passport card is more convenient due to its size, it is far more restricted in use than the passport book. In this post, you will get the benefits of having both documents. The passport book comes in both a standard, 24page version and a bigger, 52page version for those who travel frequently. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults, and five years for travelers under age 16. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to barbados. If you lose your passport book you still have your passport card and vice versa. Of course, in theory its only officially valid for international land or sea travel between the united states, canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport. As long as your passport is not significantly damaged, you should be able to apply for a. If you think having both will serve your purpose, then go ahead and get them. Should i get a passport card and a standard passport. The passport book is valid for all types of travel.
Enhanced drivers license many people may not know but depending on the state that you live in a third option is available to you. Your new passport card will be valid for 10 years from the date that it is issued. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their. 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. My passport book and card are expiring in 6 months, and id like to renew them, but i have a couple landentry trips to canada coming up that id like to use my passport card for.
In a short period of time, passport services received over 350,000 applications for the passport card. If i apply for a passport card now, how long will it be valid. 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. Its easy to get a passport card for your child when you apply for their minor passport book. Should i get a passport card to go along with my passport. If you ever want to fly to another country or even do a cruise outside of the countries where the cards are valid, get the book. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. Tsa accepts the passport card as id for domestic flights. Conveniently, both the passport book and the passport card have the same renewal period. You can now apply for a passport book and a passport card.
Oct 16, 2017 the passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. 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. The passport card cannot be used for international air travel. If you have any intention of traveling internationally, say to europe, youll need a passport book. 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. With paper copies, they need to spend some time verifying the information, all the while replacement passport books based on pasposrt card are being processed.
A passport card is cheaper than a passport book, but cant be used for air travel and. You can use your passport card for travel by land or sea to and from canada, mexico, bermuda and the caribbean. The primary justification i had for doing so was tha. I currently have a passport card that was issued in june 2009. Overall so, if you are a frequent flyer or will travel internationally, a passport book is the best choice.
How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. Not so fastfor many travelers, passport cards have a fatal flaw in that they arent acceptable for air travel like. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. Sometimes it makes life more convenient to have both a passport book and a card, and carry them both on your international travel.
Jun 16, 2016 my passport book was issued two years ago and has eight years validity remaining. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. If you have a valid passport book, you do not have to get a passport card as well. Should i get a passport card to go along with my passport book. The passport book and passport card are both proof of your. Getting a passport isnt that difficult, but it can be a bit of a hassle as there are several steps to take. The best way to cover all bases is to get both a passport card and standard. Nov 04, 2014 did you know the term passport can actually refer to two different documents a passport book and a passport card. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is not requried that you obtain both. One question we see a lot online is what is a passport card. Should i get a passport book, card, or both for a cruise. You should have them both and protect them in your safety deposit box or a secure area in your home and when youre ready to travel internationally or domestically, dont leave home without them. The passport card is a walletsize card that can only be used for land and sea travel between the united states and canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda.
There is no reason to ever get a passport card, unless you only travel to canada, mexico or caribbean. In such situations, a passport card comes in handy because it is the size of a credit card and fits nicely in a wallet. Having a backup would be a good reason to get both, thanks for that. 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. I will be needing to get a passport book within the next couple of years so i can travel to barbados. However, keep in mind that the book is more expensive than the card. Oct 05, 2018 if so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. Youll need to submit both documents when you do your next renewal. Once you know the differences between these documents, you can decide between requesting a passport card vs passport book. If you already only have the passport book, you can get the passport card as well when you apply for your next passport renewal. All you have to do is mark the passport application to show you are requesting both the passport book and passport card.