All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. Oct 07, 2017 whether you get the passport book card both are valid for 10 years. If youre planning a trip to any other destination, then you would need a u. Passport books are larger than cards and come with many pages for customs stamps.
The state department doesnt offer discounts to travelers who apply for both, though, so expect to pay full price for each document. Can you upgrade from a passport card to a passport book. Passport cards are valid for land and sea travel to and from canada, mexico and the countries of the caribbean. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. Both passport cards and books are also acceptable on shore excursions. 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. If you have a passport card, you can also use it to drive across the canadian border and to. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. Well help you determine whether you want or need to pay extra for the passport card. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults, and five years for. You may receive your newlyissued passport card and your citizenship documents in two separate mailings.
You will be required to submit your expired passport bookcard with your application. We only send the passport card via first class mail. I will be needing to get a passport book within the next couple of years so i can travel to barbados. The primary justification i had for doing so was tha. Yes, you can apply for both a passport book and passport card at the same. If you are applying for both a book and a card at the same time, you only need to submit one passport photo. The other is the passport card, which is just like a drivers license. Well clear that up in the article below, and give you a couple good reasons why you may want to have both at the same time. One question we see a lot online is what is a passport card. No one expects an emergency, and whether you plan or not plan to travel. If you dont mind the expense, you may opt for both the passport book and the passport card. What is the difference between a passport book and. Jan 23, 2019 should i choose a passport book or passport card.
Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. Does a passport card work to go to canada by train. Nov 04, 2014 conveniently, both the passport book and the passport card have the same renewal period. The passport card is only good for land and sea border crossings to canada, mexico, and the caribbean. If you already have a passport book and you are eligible to use form. Get a passport card with your passport renewal g3passports. The passport book is the traditional multipage document that border agents stamp as you travel through.
Do you need to get both a passport book and card to travel. I f youve wondered what the difference is between a passport book and a passport card, youve come to the right place. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport. Yes, passport cards can be renewed just like passport books.
If any of the above statements do not apply to you, you must apply in person using form. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a. If you can submit a passport book, but you lost your passport card, you cannot renew the passport card using form ds82. S citizens that want to travel by land or sea to canada, mexico, and the caribbean.
Passport service guide for requirements, instructions and tips for expediting american passports as quickly as the same day. You can also apply for the passport book and the passport card at the same time when youre utilizing the ds11 new passport application for new passport. The passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. For many people, especially those who are not united states expats, having both is an advantage.
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. The passport book is valid for all international travel. Both passport books and cards are valid for 10 years, so if it fits your travel plans. One is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. 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 book and the card are equally valid as proof of identity and citizenship, and can be used for domestic air travel. While the book can still be used to cross by land into canada or mexico, it can be a little cumbersome to carry a full book when a card conveniently fits in any wallet.
I currently have a passport card that was issued in june 2009. Mar 18, 2020 the passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. You can apply by mail using form ds82 if you have a passport book or card that. Minor children will need to have their passports renewed every 5 years until they reach 16 years of age. Well help you determine whether you want or need to. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to barbados. Can i apply for a passport card and passport book using the same. Travel articles do you need a passport or a passport card. You can apply for a us passport card by mail if you already have a us passport book and eligible to use form ds82.
A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. If you already have a valid us passport book, then it is not required to also have a passport card to travel internationally. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. For most forms of international travel which you might wish to do in the future, a passport book is required. It says i need to submit both documents at the same time if im renewing both, but doesnt say if its required to renew. Sometimes it makes life more convenient to have both a passport book and a card, and carry them both on your international travel. If you lose your passport book you still have your passport card and vice. You do not need a valid passport book in order to apply for a passport id card, and you can apply for either the card only, or you can apply for a passport book and a passport card at the same time. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to.
A passport card is cheaper than a passport book, but cant be used for air travel and. 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. These rules do not apply to cruises roundtrip from san juan, puerto rico, as the. 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. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is.
An adult passport card looks similar to a drivers license, and is valid for ten years. Your old passport card will be marked cancelled by having one corner clipped off. Differences between a passport book and passport card. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. 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.
The best way to cover all bases is to get both a passport card and standard passport, which you can easily do the next time you renew your passport. Jun 02, 2018 there are many americans especially based close to borders like those in seattle or new england who hold both a valid passport book and card. First, can you have both a passport and a passport card at the same time. If youre renewing your passport book and passport card, you must submit both documents. If you think having both will serve your purpose, then go ahead and get them. However, if youd like to get a passport card still, you can apply by completing the ds82 passport renewal form. Enhanced drivers license many people may not know but depending on the. If you already have a passport book, you do not need a passport card to travel internationally. For domestic travel, the passport card is easier to carry because its walletsized. While a passport book is valid for all types of travel land, sea or air to any destination. There are many americans especially based close to borders like those in seattle or new england who hold both a valid passport book and card.
Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. Whether you choose a passport book or a passport card is up to you. It was introduced on july 18th, 2008 and over 7 million passport cards have been issued since then. What is the difference between a passport book and a. If you already hold a passport book, your card will be issued with a different number.
A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. You can use this creditcardsized document to reenter the united states from mexico, canada, bermuda and the caribbean when traveling by land or sea. A passport card is a smaller version of a passport book and fits inside a wallet. Yes, if you have a passport card, you can obtain a passport book. Youll need to submit the same documentation for getting a passport card as you do for a passport book, so getting them both at the same time makes things. 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. If you are applying for a passport, youll need to consider whether to get a passport book or a passport card. Adults will need to have their passport renewed every 10 years. Please contact npic if you do not receive a second mailing within 10 business days of receiving the first. Conveniently, both the passport book and the passport card have the same renewal period. The passport publication has lots of pages for arrivaldeparture stamps and visas, while the passport card is a id card. I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time. Feb 12, 2019 you can also apply for the passport book and the passport card at the same time when youre utilizing the ds11 new passport application for new passport.
Whats the difference between a passport book and a. While having a us passport card is great and affordable, if you need an emergency trip home, you may decide that a us passport book is more your liking. You can use form ds82 to renew your passport book at the same time that your apply for your passport card. Youll need to submit the same documentation for getting a passport card as you do for a passport book, so getting them both at the same time makes things easier.
The passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. 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. We can send your passport book via a 12 day delivery service. 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. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. You can use the passport card to keep in your wallet at all times, with the passport book at home and ready to go should the need. If you get a passport book and card at the same time, they will expire at the same time. They are valid for five years from the date of issue, just like a minor passport book. To renew a childs passport bookcard you would need to submit the paperwork via the post office and you will need an appointment to do this. The passport card has benefits, but does not offer the same list of privileges as a traditional passport. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card. This will be the first time i leave the country and fly in an airplane.
Enhanced drivers license many people may not know but depending on the state that you live in a third option is available to you. 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. It is meant to be a lowercost, wallet sized alternative to the passport book for people who live near the border and cross it frequently. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. The passport card is designed to be a less expensive and more. Can i renew my usa passport book and passport card separately. Whether you get the passport bookcard both are valid for 10 years. How to know if you need a passport book or passport card. Not only do they seem different, they serve different functions. Both documents are valid for 10 years for adults 16 and older, and 5 years for those under the age of 16. You can also apply for both a passport card and book if you need both.
In a short period of time, passport services received over 350,000 applications for the passport card. Difference between a passport book and passport card. It is smaller and more convenient to carry than a passport book, and it is less expensive to obtain. 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 you are applying for both a book and a card at the. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. I need to purchase my passport, but i dont know if i need just the book, or just the card, or both. If you do not have a valid passport, you will need to apply for your new passport card with the government in person and you will need to file form ds11. Youll need to submit both documents when you do your next renewal. Department of state passport services recently began issuing the passport card as an alternative to the traditional passport book. Select both and you will pay additional fees for the passport book and passport card. The passport card is only valid for entry into the united states at land border crossings or sea ports of entry. If you want to apply for a passport card and currently have a valid traditional passport, you can simply download and file form ds82.
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