Do i need a passport card or just the book

Feb 22, 2010 passport cards only work at land and sea border crossings with mexico, canada, and the caribbean. Just as the name suggests, a passport card is a walletsized laminated card that resembles the photo page of a passport book. If any of the above statements do not apply to you, you must apply in person using form ds11. 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.

Feb 12, 2019 a passport book is a product of the federal government. 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. It displays your photo, name, issuing and expiration dates and your place of birth. Citizens of some countries, like those based in the european economic area, dont need a full passport book when traveling across borders, but instead carry a national identity card. It will otherwise carry the rights and privileges of the u. A passport book is a product of the federal government. Updated april 3, 2020 because of public health measures to prevent the spread of covid19, effective march 20, 2020, we are only able to offer inperson service at passport agencies or centers for customers with a qualified lifeordeath emergency and who need a passport for immediate international travel within 72 hours. That being said, i recently got one simply because it is convenient to use in situations where the passport book is not needed namely, everywhere besides nonneighboring national borders. If you already have a passport book, you do not need a passport card to travel internationally. They are valid for five years from the date of issue, just like a minor passport book. However, before you apply for a new passport card, consider carefully whether or not you might be better off getting a us passport book.

Passports need a passport apply for a passport card. Passport cards only work at land and sea border crossings with mexico, canada, and the caribbean. Well help you determine whether you want or need to pay extra for the passport card. I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the. The passport card was created for people who live near american borders and frequently drive into canada or 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. Nov 04, 2014 conveniently, both the passport book and the passport card have the same renewal period. 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. A passport card provides valid identification for national travel, but only provides valid identification for certain types of international travel. If you fly to mexico, canada, or caribbean you need the book. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their.

Department of state passport services recently began issuing the passport card as an alternative to the traditional passport book. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. Jun 02, 2018 from an american perspective, passport cards are fairly unique. 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. 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. What are the passport requirements for traveling to mexico. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. The passport book is valid for all international travel.

In a short period of time, passport services received over 350,000 applications for the passport card. Our website will assist you in filling in your application and we also offer a live chat free service, should you have any queries or need any online help. That means you cannot use the passport card for air travel. If im remembering correctly, you can use your passport card when travelling by land or sea. Getting a standard passport is ultimately more useful than getting just a passport card. Although, keep in mind, while both can be used as forms of id when traveling, the passport card has some restrictions. Since john will be driving between buffalo, new york and toronto, canada at least once each quarter, he can use the passport card, but if he drives one way from buffalo to toronto and flies home, hell need a passport book for the flight. When flying overseas, youll still need a standard passport. For children age 15 and under, the passport is valid for 5 years and for adults 16 and older it is valid for 10 years. Aug 10, 2012 complete your passport card application in order to apply for your first passport card, youll need the same documentation you need to apply for a passport book. You should know there are restrictions on a passport card.

If youre planning a trip to any other destination, then you would need a u. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. Jul 26, 2019 unfortunately, you cannot upgrade your passport card to a passport book. The department of state is issuing the passport card in response to the needs of border resident communities for a less expensive and more portable alternative to the traditional passport book. 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. Because of its small size, the passport card will fit in your wallet, as opposed to a passport book which can be impractical to carry around with you. If you need an emergency passport for immediate international travel or for. Although, keep in mind, while both can be used as forms of id when traveling, the. Your passport book allows you to travel by land, by sea, or by air. Travel articles do you need a passport or a passport card. If you have a passport book and a passport card, make sure you know what to do if you lose one of them. Adults who already have a fully valid passport book may apply for the card as a. Us passport card versus passport book if you are like my family and friends, you are curious as to the differences between the new us passport cards and the more traditional us passport books.

The passport book is the traditional multipage document that. What is the difference between a passport book and passport card. A passport book is valid for all types of travel land, sea or air to any destination. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. The passport card proves identity and citizenship, but it does not have. I have a valid passport card, but dont have a passport book. How to apply for a new passport card rush my passport. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card.

These rules do not apply to cruises roundtrip from san juan, puerto rico, as the. Firsttime passport card applicants who do not have a passport book traditional passport must go in person to a passport application facility, such as a post office or courthouse, and submit a completed passport application form, proof of us citizenship, one passport photo and the required fee. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. Youll need to establish your identity and citizenship at the border, and nothing works better for this than a u. If you already have a passport book, you might be able to apply for your very first passport card by mail. Passport cards are about the size of a drivers license, and they cost less than purchasing a passport book. Minor children will need to have their passports renewed every 5 years until they reach 16 years of age. One is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. 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.

Your passport card s validity is not linked to the expiration date of your passport book. Passport cards are only valid for canada, mexico, and the caribbean. Aug 18, 2016 today, united states citizens need a passport to travel to neighboring countries such as mexico and canada. A passport book provides valid identification for any national or international travel. If you have a us passport book, there really is no need to get the passport card. 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. What is the difference between a passport book and a passport. Aug 10, 2012 a passport book provides valid identification for any national or international travel. The passport book comes as either 28 or 52 pages and is valid for five years. Besides passports, limited use passport cards and are issued by the same organization subject to the same requirements. If you are traveling outside the united states via air travel, you will still need a traditional passport book as a passport card isnot valid for air travel. A us passport card can only be used for land and sea travel to canada, mexico or the caribbean. Differences between a passport book and passport card.

United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their travels abroad. The passport card is only valid for land and sea travel to canada, mexico, and the caribbean. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. Adults will need to have their passport renewed every 10 years. Us passport book and passport card online application. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card.

Decide whether a passport card may be right for you. For travelers age 15 or younger, us passport cards are valid for five years from the date of issue, just like passport books. However, depending on where youre travelling, you might be ok with just the card. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. However, if youre going on a caribbean cruise departing from the u. If you are applying for a passport, youll need to consider whether to get a passport book or a passport card. I now just applied for my new passport book and without a question i. When it comes to us passport card versus passport book, the winner will depend on your need. However, passport cards are valid for entering mexico only by land or sea if youre. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport. It can also be used for domestic air travel in the usa.