They can be used for land or sea travel to canada, mexico, bermuda. If youre traveling soon, you can expedite your passport. Passport book the passport book is designed to be used for all types of international travel. The passport card resembles any other card you might have in your wallet, and it contains similar important information as you might find on a passport book. You can now apply for a passport book and a passport card. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a booklet. 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. Passport book is widely used for international travel while passport card is used for united states citizens who live in border territories in the us. They have been available to us citizens since 2008, and are meant to be a convenient way to prove your identity and citizenship. To get a passport more quickly, you need to make an appointment at a regional agency. 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 you are an adult aged 16 or older, your passport card will be valid for 10 years, and if you are a minor younger than 16, you can get a passport card that is valid for the next 5 years.
There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land sea. Jun 20, 2019 passport book is a globally recognized travel document while passport card is not a globally recognized document. Whats the difference between passport book and passport card. Passport card facts expedited passport services online. Passport cards are a form of us passport that are the size of a credit card or driver s license. Differences between a passport book and passport card. Aug 10, 2012 passport cards and passport books are no exception. Jan 11, 2019 the passport card is also commonly used for travelers that wish to take a cruise but do not plan on ever traveling by plane. We will answer any questions you may have, we will then provide you with the the passport renewal checklist, the fedex inbound shipping label to ship your documents to us and the letter of authorization you need to sign to. Jun 18, 2019 routine expedited in the usa simply means that you paid a fee to have your passport processed.
The passport card is the size of a credit card and can easily fit in a wallet while the size of a passport is 5. Passport cardbasically a limiteduse passport enhanced drivers licenseacts both as a driver license and a travel document, but also with limits. Passport books are valid for travel by united states. Nov 20, 2017 a passport card allows significantly fewer opportunities for the holder to travel, but often its enough for some. Both of these documents give you the ability to travel outside of the country. A passport card can be used to enter the us states at land border crossing or seaportsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. Expedited passport card us passport card services us. That means you cannot use the passport card for air travel. 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. Any us citizen wishing to travel internationally via air must have a passport book.
Therefore, you should make sure you understand the purpose for the usa passport card before you apply for this document. Applying for a passport card by mail will take up to 8 weeks. Difference between passport book and passport card. Well help you determine whether you want or need to pay extra for the passport card.
Us passport book and passport card online application. 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. Aug 18, 2016 one is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. Both documents are valid for 10 years for adults 16 and older, and 5 years for those under the age of 16. The passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and. The passport booklet may be the widelyused choice, but u. The purpose of the passport book is to allow entry and exit to any country in the world. The us passport card is a credit card sized identification document. Additionally, the passport card is a lot more economical than a traditional passport. If you are traveling outside the united states via air travel, you will still need a traditional passport book as a passport card is not valid for air travel. In order to get a passport card expedited through fastport passport, you must come in person to one of our locations.
However, people find a passport card more convenient and accessible when carrying. 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. 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. 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. However, each of these items comes with certain restrictions regarding when you can use them. The other is the passport card, which is just like a drivers license. You are able to get your passport card within 23 weeks guaranteed thanks to expedited passport card application process. If you can submit a passport book, but you lost your passport card, you cannot. Your passport book allows you to travel by land, by sea, or by air. It is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors under 16.
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. While you have the option to apply for an expedited passport card if you need your document in a hurry, the process is less stressful if you prepare ahead of time. Us passport book vs us passport card us visa connection. 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. A passport card can be used to enter the us states at land border crossing or seaportsof. What you need to know about passport cards fastport passport.
What is the difference between a passport book and. A passport card serves the same purpose as a passport book. This is the base fee and does not include any fees to expedite. If so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. Passport fees 2020 for routine and expedited services. A passport book is valid for any international travel by air, sea or land. However, applicants must first understand the passport card vs passport book debate before they choose which documentation is better for them. A passport card is cheaper to get but is only valid for travel to canada, mexico and the caribbean islands.
You should know there are restrictions on a passport card. Use the 2020 passport fees table to help you calculate the cost of getting your passport. The passport book is the most common passport to carry. 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. 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.
Try 2 to 3 monthsthere is currently no way to expedite a passport card, only a passport book. Learn more about how a passport card differs from a passport book. In addition to a regular passport, the passport book, u. If youll be crossing the border after june 1st and you havent applied for a passport yet, youll need to apply for a passport book to make sure you have the appropriate documentation by the deadline.
One is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. Oct 16, 2017 the passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. Feb 12, 2019 passport book the passport book is designed to be used for all types of international travel. The total amount will depend on the service you require and any additional services you might need or want. 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. Passport cards, and which type of passport do you need. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. The passport card is only valid for land and sea travel to canada, mexico, and the caribbean.
What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. However, the passport book is valid for all forms of travel. Passport book vs passport card while there are similarities between a passport book and passport card, it is crucial that those holding either the passport book or card and individuals needing to obtain a passport for the first time know the differences. It was designed for people who travel frequently between the us and canada, mexico, bermuda or the caribbean by land or sea. A passport book is required for all international travel by air. The passport card or formally known as the people access security service card pass is small in size compared to a passport. A passport card provides valid identification for national travel, but only provides valid identification for certain types of international travel. A passport card is valid for travel to and from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda at land border crossings and sea portsofentry. The passport card contains a radio frequency identification chip as well as the traditional photograph and personal information found in a passport book. If youre renewing your passport book and passport card, you must submit both documents.
What is the difference between a passport book and passport card. If you use an agency, it is my understanding that someone will actually present your documents to the embassygovernment agency in question and follow. A passport book provides valid identification for any national or international travel. Beyond the fact that there are certain limits to where individuals can travel with their passport card, there are certain advantages to this form of identification. Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. Furthermore, in terms of federal identification, if you wanted to visit a federal facility or military base but do not own a real id card, the facility will accept your passport or passport card as an alternative. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. It attests to your united states citizenship and your identity. The passport book is valid for all international travel. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison diffen. Thus, if you already own a passport, the need for a real id is minimal. You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a 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. You can request expedited service to get it done in 23 weeks. The passport book is accepted for any form of international travel and is also the document that holds your visas. The passport book vs card question is one you may have if you are a firsttime international traveler.
The united states passport card is an official identity and limited travel document issued by the. What is the difference between routine expedited and agency. Oct 05, 2018 if so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. In general, everyone must have a passport book or a regular passport to travel from one country to another. 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.
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