Whether you get the passport bookcard both are valid for 10 years. 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 book is valid for any international travel by air, sea or land. The passport book is accepted for any form of international travel and is also the document that holds your visas. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. Jun 02, 2018 if you got any questions about whether you need a passport book or card, please contact travel visa pro we are always ready to help you. The difference between a passport book or card getaway usa. Since we all know how to acquire passport booklets, lets learn how to get hold of a passport card. Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane.
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. Both documents are valid for 10 years for adults 16 and older, and 5 years for those under the age of 16. Unless you use the mobile passport app, youll have to. It will be a benefit when using it to travel this is a privately owned website and not a government agency. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. Applying for a passport card by mail will take up to 8 weeks. The passport card will match the expiry date of your passport book, if you have less than 5 years validity remaining. The passport card is a cheaper alternative to the passport book.
Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. From passport cards to global entry, which trustedtraveler. Passport book for reentry into the united states from any country. 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. The passport card contains a radio frequency identification chip as well as the traditional photograph and personal information found in a passport book. You can just slip it in your wallet, right behind your drivers license. Passport book the passport book is designed to be used for all types of international travel.
Passport cards are particularly useful for some people. You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a passport book. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. Oct 23, 2017 passport card versus passport book a passport card will be cheaper than a regular passport for you to obtain. 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. Visa, mastercard, diners club international and american express cards are accepted. If any of the following apply to you, you may want to obtain a passport card. A passport card provides valid identification for national travel, but only provides valid identification for certain types of international travel. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. The difference between the numbers is two digits and the letter c. 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. Apr 22, 2017 passport card basics and other information. Passport cards requested by mail are always shipped back. Vip passports and visa services united states passport agency specializes in american passports, us passports, passport renewals, passport applications, passports forms, birth certificates, notary services, visas, and passports in less than 24 hours.
Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. Passport card department of foreign affairs and trade. Mar 16, 20 the passport card is only good for land and sea travel to canada, mexico and approximately 17 islands in the caribbean. Here are the countries and territories where a us passport card is valid. Your passport book allows you to travel by land, by sea, or by air. Passport book vs passport card for kids the dis disney. The united states passport card is an official identity and limited travel document issued by the. A passport card is valid for travel to and from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda at land border crossings and sea portsofentry. Sep 30, 2015 the passport book only covers land border crossings or seaport entry. What is the difference between a passport book and passport card. Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages. Differences between a passport book and passport card. Be aware of the fact that a passport card is only valid for land and sea travel to canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda.
The walletsized passport card is designed to be more convenient and less cumbersome than regular passports. The fee to obtain a passport card and passport book also changes. 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. We want you to know about a few differences between the book. It was designed for people who travel frequently between the u. While the passport card and the mi enhanced drivers license serve the same purpose for id at the border, i feel the passport card is a better value as its good for 10 years while you must renew the enhanced drivers license every 4 years and both cost about the same. How to apply for a new passport card rush my passport. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. Passport card vacation season is right around the corner, and as such, you will most likely be renewing or obtaining your us passport. In part, this is because the passport card is the size of a standard id card, meaning that it can be carried with the same convenience as any other.
However, the passport book is valid for all forms of travel. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. Aug 18, 2016 one is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. The us passport card is a credit card sized identification document. What is the diffference between a passport book and a. Can only be used in land and sea travels, not by air. The most obvious difference between passport books and passport cards is the design, of course. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. Second, a good argument can be made that the passport card is more useful than the passport book for the limited circumstances in which it can be used. Passport card versus passport book should i get a passport. This is the busy time of year for us passport applicants wanting to prepare for summer traveling whether close to home destinations such as mexico or canada, or far away destinations such as. The passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. Oct 07, 2017 whether you get the passport book card both are valid for 10 years. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u.
It is the size and shape of a drivers license, and conveniently fits in your wallet. Oct 16, 2017 the passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. Enhanced drivers license many people may not know but depending on the state that you live in a third option is available to you. Enhanced drivers license many people may not know but depending on the.
You can apply by mail using form ds82 if you have a passport book or card that. Nov 20, 2017 a passport card allows significantly fewer opportunities for the holder to travel, but often its enough for some. It is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors under 16. 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. Us passport card a passport card is the size of a drivers license and can be used only for travel by land or sea to canada. Ds11 only has options under have you ever had either a passport card book for no, loststolen, or submitted with application. The passport card is valid only for certain types of international travel and cannot be used for international air travel. Jun 03, 2014 the passport card passport card sample, image courtesy travel. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card. The other is the passport card, which is just like a drivers license. A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land sea. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book.
Passport card can be used to enter the united states from canada, mexico. 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. So if someone gets sick on a cruise and only has the passport card, they cant fly them home. 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. 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. Difference between passport book and passport card compare. 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.
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. 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. Finally, your passport card will be returned to you. For the love of physics walter lewin may 16, 2011 duration. What is the difference between a passport card number and. See more ideas about passport card, passport and cards. 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. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book.
I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. People who frequently cross the mexican or canadian border by car or train. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. If you have the book, you dont need the card unless youd like to have it as a walletsized id or you plan to travel frequently by car to canada andor mexicothe card gets you through quicker in those situations.
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. The passport card is a valid federal id primarily for travelers that visit canada, mexico, and the caribbean by land and sea. 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. Both the passport book and passport card serve as proof of your u. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. The us passport book vs passport card debate has many of us confused as to which one we should apply.