This service is not available for passport card applicants. 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. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is not requried that you obtain both. Your passport number is at the top right corner of the page your photo is on. Passport book is widely used for international travel while passport card is used for united states citizens who. In this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. They have been available to us citizens since 2008, and are meant to be a convenient way to prove your identity and citizenship. Jun 20, 2019 passport book is valid for international travel by air, sea, or land. 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. Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. Furthermore, it is unlikely that information about your passport book is encoded in the 2d barcode or the rfid chip on the card. Here are the countries and territories where a us passport card is valid. The standard passport is 28 pages, and the nonstandard book is 52 pages.
The state departments website offers complete details and an online application form. However, if you lose your driver license or passport book, you are in for much more headaches to replace. Visa, mastercard, diners club international and american express cards are accepted. Differences between a passport book and passport card. In addition to a regular passport, the passport book, u. For canada crossings, nexus card no longer beats a us passport. The passport booklet may be the widelyused choice, but u. The us passport card is a small passport card, about the size of a credit card, that contains your photo and identifying information. A passport book is valid for any international travel by air, sea or land. United states passports are passports issued to citizens and nationals of the united states of america, they are issued exclusively by the u. Your passport book allows you to travel by land, by sea, or by air. I am in the process of getting passports for my kids and wondering if i should just get the card since it is cheaper. However, the passport book is valid for all forms of travel.
Im preparing to fly out of the united states for the first time, and im working on getting my passport application filled out. Aug 10, 2012 passport cards and passport books are no exception. A passport book provides valid identification for any national or international travel. Renewal cost of the passport book and passport card. Passport cards these are kind of us passport only, which are in the size of a drivers license or credit card. The passport book vs card question is one you may have if you are a firsttime international traveler.
Us passport book vs us passport card us visa connection. Only available for passport book applicants in the united states not canada. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. 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. The passport card contains a vicinityread radio frequency identification rfid chip. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. Infact many people have both the passport card and the passport book and use as per need and convenience. Apply for a passport card united states department of state. Enhanced drivers license many people may not know but depending on the state that you live in a third option is available to you. The card, which requires a background check and indepth interviews with authorities from both the us and canada to obtain, gives you trusted. 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. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. The united states passport card is an official identity and limited travel document issued by the.
Think about it, some people may have gotten a passport card first. In general, everyone must have a passport book or a regular passport to travel from one country to another. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults, and five years for travelers under age 16. It is also used for domestic travel to countries by land or sea. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. Whether you get the passport book card both are valid for 10 years. The passport card will match the expiry date of your passport book, if you have less than 5 years validity remaining. There are several options when it comes to forms of identification for travel. Passport the application process is the same for either the passport book or card, even if you want both at the same time. Us passport books and us passport cards the differences.
The passport card is about the size of any credit card, and fits easily into your wallet for frequent travel. 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. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. As far as i can tell, the edl and passport card give the same travel rights. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. With a passport id card, you can travel to certain countries using specific forms of transportation. Many overseas countries need nothing more for entrance compared to a u. Also, if you get a passport card separately from your passport, it has a different number and expiration date also costs a bit more.
The passport card is a walletsize identification card with your picture, information, and barcode. Can i apply for the passport card and passport book at the same time using the same application. Oct 07, 2017 whether you get the passport book card both are valid for 10 years. The passport card is valid for up to 10 years if you are an adult, and allows you virtually unlimited travel to the caribbean, bermuda, mexico, and. The passport card is basically an individual credit cardsized id. The current standard us passport has 28 pages, 18 of them blank. The passport card previously known as the people access security service card, or pass card was created as a result of the. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. 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.
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. Below is a comparison of the features of the california real idcompliant drivers license, real id identification card, u. 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. Passport card is also valid for international travel but by land or sea only. Jun 16, 2016 will my passport card have the same number as my passport book. 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 issued for the full validity, they are both proof of your u. Passport cards are a form of us passport that are the size of a credit card or drivers license. In july of 2008, due to requests from residents along us borders for a more portable and easier application process than a regular passport, the united states department of state began issuing passport cards, a wallet sized identity card usable for international travel by land and sea, valid only for travel to canada, mexico, the. While the card differs in several ways to the traditional u.
If you want a 52page passport book, be sure to check the appropriate box on form ds82. No, your book and card will have two completely different numbers. A passport card is cheaper to get but is only valid for trav. The difference between a passport book or card getaway usa. I applied to renew my passport this past summer, and i had the option of applying for a just a passport book, or b both a passport book and also a passport card, which can be used in certain intercountry travel situations cant remember what situations either, but doesnt really matter as it is irrelevant to my question. You have to go in person to present your application. The us passport book vs passport card salon prive mag.
Passport card vs passport book americas central america. Passport card basically 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. A passport card serves the same purpose as a passport book. Difference between passport book and passport card. While the passport card is more convenient due to its size, it is far more restricted in use than the passport book. To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to. Our website will assist you in filling in your application and we also offer a free live chat service, should you have any queries or need any online help.
A passport card is valid for travel to and from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda at land border crossings and sea portsofentry. Difference between passport book and passport card compare. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is not requried that. 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. Learn more about how a passport card differs from a passport book. Oct 16, 2017 the passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. The difference between passport and passport card us. 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.
See the chart below to decide which is best for you. 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. As passport books allows more activities as compare to passport card so they tend to cost more as well. Passport card department of foreign affairs and trade. If you need to get a passport in three weeks or less. The passport book is your typical passport, a bound, paged booklet that is issued by the us department of state verifying your identity and nationality, usually for the purpose of traveling internationally all international air travel for us passport holders, regardless of origin or destination airport, must be accompanied by a valid us passport book. They have been available to us citizens since 2008, and are meant to be a. However, people find a passport card more convenient and accessible when carrying.
Both of these documents give you the ability to travel outside of the country. 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. The application process is the same for either the passport book or card, even if you want both at the same time. The passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. This is perhaps unsurprising, seeing as how a passport card lacks the blank pages of the passport book because it is nothing more than the size of a standard id card. The us state department uses different number formats for books and cards. The only distinction i can think of that might make you want to have both an edl and a passport card is the information on the face of the cards. The passport card is a cheaper alternative to the passport book.
Passport card frequently asked questions with answers. The passport book is the only document approved for international travel by air. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air. The traditional passport book is still required for most travel purposes. The passport card is basically an individual credit card sized id card. The us passport card is a credit card sized identification document. In contrast, a passport card is similar in purpose to a passport book but much more limited in scope. These passport cards have been made available to us citizens since the year. You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a passport book. It is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors under 16. The passport book is much larger and it contains a series of pages for arrival and departure stamps, along with visas and so on.
A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air. These come in the form of a traditional passport book, along with a passport card. 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 nexus card used to be the bestkept secret of frequent travelers to canada. Traditional passports are valid for international travel by air, sea, and land. The passport card contains a radio frequency identification chip as well as the traditional photograph and personal information found in a passport book. Does anyone know if the usa passport card can be used for entry in to the dominican republic or does a visitor need the book. The passport card was designed for specific needs of northern and southern u. If you are traveling by air or to most countries, you will need a traditional passport book, with pages for your various visas. The us passport card is less expensive to get then passport book, and is much smaller. Now, in terms of a passport book vs passport card, if you happen to be applying for a passport, you will need to consider which to get. May, 2019 in this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel.
If you make infrequent trips between the us and canada andor mexico by land and are not a frequent cruise passenger to the caribbean and you live in a state that provides a real id compliant drivers license yet you travel internationally by plane, it would make sense to get a passport book and not pay the extra money for a passport card. Passport book is a globally recognized travel document while passport card is not a globally recognized document. Passport book for reentry into the united states from any country. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. It attests to your united states citizenship and your identity. Us passport book and passport card online application.
Passport card is wallet sized document while passport book size is 5. Passport card the standard passport book covers all the bases. If you plan on leaving the country and do not want to purchase a full passport book, the card is an option you may want to consider. If so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. Enhanced drivers license many people may not know but depending on the. A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land sea. If you need to get a passport in three weeks or less, you will need an expedited process. These countries include canada, mexico, and the caribbean. 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. As like the passport book, the card also must be renewed after validation gets completed. Since the passport card is apparently worthless, it is better to leave that than your actual passport.
A passport card is less expensive than a traditional passport book. The passport card can be used for identification purposes. 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. You must have the original copies of all required documents. It was designed for people who travel frequently between the u. A passport book is valid for all types of travel land, sea or air to any destination. The united states passport card is an official identity and limited travel document issued by the united states federal government in the size of a credit card. Passport cards are valid only for reentering the u. 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.
United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. Department of state, is compliant to the standards for identity documents set by the real id act and can be used as proof of u. Consumers also have the option of obtaining both a passport card and a regular passport. Can be used for international travel via land, sea, or air. See below the differences between a passport book vs. You cannot use a passport card when traveling by air internationally. Any us citizen wishing to travel internationally via air must have a passport book. Depending on how you plan to visit canada, you may be able to use a passport book, passport card, or even a nexus card.
What is the differences between passport book vs passport. However, a passport card is only a valid form of id for travel within the u. Passport book numbers are 9 numerals long, and passport cards start with the letter c followed by 8 numerals. Can only be used in land and sea travels, not by air.
A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a 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. Nov 20, 2017 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. Perhaps the biggest difference between a passport card and a traditional passport is that.