Passport books are generally more convenient than passport cards, because they allow you to travel internationally without any worry of. Differences between a passport book and passport card. 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. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. A passport card provides valid identification for national travel, but only provides valid identification for certain types of international travel. You can use the card for land and sea border crossings at canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda only. All you have to do is mark the passport application to show you are requesting both the passport book and passport card. The passport card will match the expiry date of your passport book, if you have less than 5 years validity remaining. Passport book is widely used for international travel while passport card is used for united states citizens who. It is a single page and is not stamped or marked while going through customs.
The application allows you to get a passport booklet or a passport card, or both. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. You can carry your passport card with you at all times and leave the passport book safe in the hotel room locker. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card. A passport card is another form of identification, and allows for limited travel.
Department of state has a simpletoread list of facts comparing the passport card with the passport book and providing links to applications for both. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison diffen. Only available for passport book applicants in the united states not canada. Difference between passport book and passport card. A passport card is the same size as a drivers license, and is official proof of your identity and us citizenship.
Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages. Here are more details about how to apply for a passport card. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. Issued also by the us department of state, the passport card is a official identification document, but a limitedtravel document. After he confirmed that his spouse could cruise with just a passport card, he booked their tropical vacation. For more information about the california real id, visit the dmv website. Can you upgrade from a passport card to a passport book.
The passport booklet may be the widelyused choice, but u. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air. You still need a valid drivers license to operate a motor vehicle. For more information about passports and passport cards, visit the u. Passport book is a globally recognized travel document while passport card is not a globally recognized document. I f youve wondered what the difference is between a passport book and a passport card, youve come to the right place.
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. Passport book the passport book is designed to be used for all types of international travel. 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. It was designed for people who travel frequently between the us and canada, mexico, bermuda or the caribbean by land or sea. I currently have a passport card that was issued in june 2009. Of the internal pages, 17 are blank pages marked visas that are meant for travel visas and country entry and exit stamps. To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to. You will need to fill in an official form and present identification and proof of citizenship. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport.
Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. The daughter booked everything through an online travel agency ota, which i will not name, but an ota is continue reading passport card vs. Find uses and advantages of a passport book and a passport card and figure out which one is best for you, or if you should have both documents. We want you to know about a few differences between the book. From passport cards to global entry, which trusted.
The passport card is less than half the cost of the passport book, however it has limited use. The difference between a passport book or card getaway usa. If youre thinking of going on a cruise, the passport card might be nice when you need. Ed perkins a nationally recognized reporter, writer, and consumer advocate, ed perkins focuses on how travelers can find the best deals and avoid. In this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. Now days everyone that travels should own a passport. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to barbados. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. For those of you who are about to get a us passport renewed or getting one for the first time, there is something called a passport card its biometric and usually only good between rail, boat and car in canadamexicobermuda etc but it is proof that you do own a us passport. The passport card is a cheaper alternative to the passport book. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. In such situations, a passport card comes in handy because it is the size of a credit card and fits nicely in a wallet. 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.
Citizens who are only looking to visit certain foreign countries, and travel by land or sea, actually prefer this choice, but is the passport card actually worth the money. The application process is the same for either the passport book or card, even if you want both at the same time. This case is an unfortunate example of what can go wrong if you decide to cruise with just a passport card. The card may not be used to travel by air outside the united states. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. The irish passport card is a travel document that irish citizens can use for certain travel instead of the standard passport book. The government gives you an option of a regular passport book or a passpot card.
All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. The passport card can be used for identification purposes. Generally speaking, when someone is thinking about a passport, chances are good that they are thinking about a passport book. Both of these documents give you the ability to travel outside of the country. Aug 22, 2016 passport card is a walletsize travel document that can be used for land or sea travel to canada, mexico, bermuda, and the caribbean whereas a passport book can be used for international travel to all destinations by air, land, or sea. What is the difference between a passport and a passport card. Passport card the standard passport book covers all the bases. Also, if you get a passport card separately from your passport, it has a different number and expiration date also costs a bit more. There are several options when it comes to forms of identification for travel.
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. May 11, 2017 from passport cards to global entry, which trustedtraveler program is right for you. From passport cards to global entry, which trustedtraveler program is right for you. However, people find a passport card more convenient and accessible when carrying. In addition to a regular passport, the passport book, u. Jul 23, 2016 form for the indian passport is referring to the no. Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the u. Passport card is a walletsize travel document that can be used for land or sea travel to canada, mexico, bermuda, and the caribbean whereas a passport book can be used for international travel to all destinations by air, land, or sea. The us passport card is less expensive to get then passport book, and is much smaller. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel.
Jul 14, 2009 now days everyone that travels should own a passport. This is because a passport book is the booklet containing information about the person to whom it has been issued, which is in addition to a number of blank pages that can be used for travel visas as well as the stamps when said individuals enters and exits a country. If you dont want to spend the money for the full passport i would save what you would have spend on the card and use it toward a full passport book in the future. In a 36 page passport booklet, only 33 pages are usable and similarly, in a 60 page passport booklet only 57 pa. 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. Us passport book and passport card online application. What is the different between passport number and passport. Passport book vs passport card for kids the dis disney. Many foreign countries require nothing more for entry than a u. Mastercards prepaid travel money card is the safe, secure and convenient way to carry your holiday money.
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. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. From passport cards to global entry, which trustedtraveler. You can get a us passport card, whether or not you currently hold a passport book. A passport book provides valid identification for any national or international travel. Passport card department of foreign affairs and trade. Feb 12, 2019 what are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. Can only be used in land and sea travels, not 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. The passport book is accepted for any form of international travel and is also the document that holds your visas. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card.
Minors under 16 will need to renew their passport every 5 years. 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. 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. What is the difference between a passport and a passport. The passport book is valid for travel anywhere and is. The passport card contains a radio frequency identification chip as well as the traditional photograph and personal information found in a passport book. If you can submit a passport book, but you lost your passport card, you cannot. 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.
For such people having a passport card is an easy option than carrying a passport booklet. Like the book, passport cards are good for 10 years if you are 16 or older. Yes, if you have a passport card, you can obtain a passport book. This service is not available for passport card applicants. 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. A passport book is required for all international travel by air. If youre renewing your passport book and passport card, you must submit both documents. Just beware that not all caribbean locations will accept this as a valid id per wikipedia. H ave you ever wished your passport could fit inside your wallet. The difference between passport and passport card us. Learn more about how a passport card differs from a passport book. A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air. The passport card is a walletsize identification card with your picture, information, and barcode.
It is also used for domestic travel to countries by land or sea. 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. A passport, passport card or california identification card is not a substitute for a drivers license. As it turned out, he was the one in for the unpleasant surprise.
Passport book valid for international travel by air, sea or. A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land sea. A passport card is cheaper to get but is only valid for travel to canada, mexico and the caribbean islands. Your passport book allows you to travel by land, by sea, or by air. Since the passport card is apparently worthless, it is better to leave that than your actual passport. A passport card can be used to enter the us states at land border crossing or seaportsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. Aug 10, 2012 passport cards and passport books are no exception. If youre a citizen of the united states, and youre thinking about traveling to mexico, but you dont yet have a passport, you might consider getting a passport card instead of a regular passport book. 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. In this regard, there is no better option than passport card. Most importantly, a us passport card cant be used for international air travel. The passport card is only valid for land and sea travel to canada, mexico, and the caribbean. Many people do not know but power of passports vary from one country to another.
You have to go in person to present your application. What is the difference between a passport book and passport card. It is required during the international travel via air, land or sea. Oct 07, 2017 wondering whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. A passport book has no inherent travel restrictions. Both the passport book and passport card serve as proof of your u. The us passport card is a credit card sized identification document. 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. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. The passport card is also considered a passport but is much more limite. What is the difference between validity of the passport book and passport card. The passport book vs card question is one you may have if you are a firsttime international traveler. You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a passport book.
It will otherwise carry the rights and privileges of the u. Passport the application process is the same for either the passport book or card, even if you want both at the same time. If so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. Any us citizen wishing to travel internationally via air must have a passport book. The passport card is the size of your drivers license or state id, fitting in your wallet. 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 is about the size of any credit card, and fits easily into your wallet for frequent travel. I will be needing to get a passport book within the next couple of years so i can travel to barbados. Otherwise, it carries the rights and privileges of the u.
The passport card is also a valid form of id so it is useful to have it on you at all times when traveling abroad. Differences between a passport book and card travel restrictions for passport book and card. What is the difference between passport of 36 pages and 60. 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. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. I recently read an article on facebook about a lady whose daughter booked her and four of her friends on a weeklong vacation to turks and caicos. That means you cannot use the passport card for air travel. The passport card will facilitate entry and expedite document processing at u. The passport book has plenty of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps, while the passport card is a onepiece creditcardsized id card. Passport is a document providing national identity and identification of an individual.
First of all, a passport card can be used for travel by sea to barbados. Infact for traveling abroad, one needs a passport for sure. You can use the passport card when traveling in the european union, the european economic area which includes iceland, liechtenstein and norway and switzerland. Passport card is very useful for nondrivers, who look for small sized identity documents so that they can be kept in the wallet. You can now apply for a passport book and a passport card. These countries include canada, mexico, and the caribbean. Passport card can be used to enter the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at land border crossings or sea portsofentry and is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. You should know that the passport card is only valid for travel by land and sea within mexico, canada, bermuda, and the caribbean, and you can not use it for air travel or for travel to other. 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. Visa, mastercard, diners club international and american express cards are accepted. You can use the passport card when traveling in the european union, the european economic area which includes iceland.
Difference between a passport book and passport card. The passport book is valid for all international travel. However, each of these items comes with certain restrictions regarding when you can use them. Us passport cards are technically passports, but they are much more limited in their usability.