The most obvious difference between passport books and passport cards is the design, of course. The passport card is basically an individual credit cardsized id. It comes with many blank pages to be stamped at customs. 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. The passport card is about the size of any credit card, and fits easily into your wallet for frequent travel.
The difference between passport and passport card us. What is the difference between a passport and a passport. If you are thinking about applying for or renewing a u. Depending on your budget and travel plans, you can choose between a passport card or book. What is the differences between passport book vs passport. You can now apply for a passport book and a passport card. 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.
If youve wondered what the difference is between a passport book and a passport card, youve come to the right place. Key differences passport book is valid for international travel by air, sea, or land. Please note that cruise lines recommend that all cruise passengers hold a passport book in case an emergency requires that you be returned to the us by air. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. Passport books and cards are alternatives to a stateissued id. However, the passport book is valid for all forms of travel. Difference between passport book and passport card. Both the book and the card are equally valid as proof of identity and citizenship, and can be used for domestic air travel. As passport books allows more activities as compare to passport card so. Because of public health measures to prevent the spread of covid19, we have extremely limited u. In addition to a regular passport, the passport book, u.
Applying for a passport card by mail will take up to 8 weeks. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. It was introduced on july 18th, 2008 and over 7 million passport cards have been issued since then. 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. Whats the difference between passport book and passport card. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times.
However, since passport cards arent valid for flying, again i dont see how theyre helpful in that region. The passport card is a cheaper alternative to the passport book. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. What is the difference between a passport book and. The passport card is designed to be a less expensive and more.
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. The only reason youd most likely need a passport is if you got missed he ship for whatever reason. You dont need to present a passport or the card when entering and exiting the ship. The card will provide a less expensive, smaller, and more convenient alternative to the passport book for those who travel frequently to these destinations by land or by sea. I lost my passport card, and i would like to apply for a new one to make use of the expedited rfid lanes at the mexican border. The passport book allows the holder to travel worldwide with proper visa and documentation, while the passport card only allows the holder to travel to and fro neighboring countries such as canada, mexico, bahamas and the caribbean.
A passport book provides valid identification for any national or international travel. S citizens that want to travel by land or sea to canada, mexico, and the caribbean. The traditional passport book is still required for most travel purposes. 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. Passport card vs passport book sep 16 cruise forum.
A passport card provides valid identification for national travel, but only provides valid identification for certain types of international travel. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a. Us passport books and us passport cards the differences. Whereas passport cards are valid only for reentering the u. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. Passport card is wallet sized document while passport book size is 5. Both types, passport books and passport cards, exist in the united states of america. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. However, when they went to apply for new passports, the clerk steered them toward ordering one of the walletsized new passport cards. You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a passport book. What is the diffference between a passport book and a. Apparently, neither the clerk nor the housleys was aware of one of the crucial differences between a passport book and a passport card. A passport book is a common source of identification for many travelers. Your passport book allows you to travel by land, by sea, or by air.
These come in the form of a traditional passport book, along with a passport card. The us passport card is a small passport card, about the size of a credit card, that contains your photo and identifying information. I called the passport agency at 8774872778 to confirm thistwice. Passport books are larger than cards and come with many pages for customs stamps. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison diffen. Undamaged other than normal wear and tear issued when you were age 16 or older. Us passport book and passport card online application. Differences between passport book and passport card. If you are flying by plane, a cape, a giant eagle, or anything for that matter, you have to get the passport book. A passport card can be used to enter the us states at land border crossing or seaportsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda.
What is the difference between passport book and passport card. 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. While the passport card is more convenient due to its size, it is far more restricted in use than the passport book. A passport book is valid for all types of travel land. A us passport card is used as a federal id and is only good for travel to canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at land border crossings or sea portsofentry and is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. If you already have a passport book or passport card, you can renew by mail using form ds82. If you are traveling by air or to most countries, you will need a. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book.
Can only be used in land and sea travels, not by air. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. Ds11 only has options under have you ever had either a passport cardbook for no, loststolen, or submitted with application. What is the difference between a passport book and a. The us passport book vs passport card salon prive mag. 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 only for land and sea travel, which means there is no way travelers can use the passport card to board a plane. The biggest difference between a passport book and passport card is that passport cards are only valid to enter canada, mexico, bermuda, and. Entering the united states at land border crossings and sea portsofentry from. Sailors and yachtsmen who sail in international waters between the us, canada, mexico and the caribbean.
Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land sea. The us passport card is less expensive to get then passport book, and is much smaller. Jul 7, 2015 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. The passport book has plenty of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. Perhaps the biggest difference between a passport card and a traditional passport is that. Passport book has been in use for a longer period than the passport card. You can just slip it in your wallet, right behind your drivers license. Difference between a passport book and passport card.
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. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. Differences between a passport book and passport card. Passport is a must for any person that is looking to internationally travel via any means. The difference between a passport book or card getaway usa. The walletsized passport card is designed to be more convenient and less cumbersome than regular passports. 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.
However, sometimes the process of transport can be. Traditional passports are valid for international travel by air, sea, and land. Any us citizen wishing to travel internationally via air must have a passport book. 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. 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.
In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. Not only do they look different, they serve slightly different purposes. 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 canada. A passport card is only good for travel by land and sea, not by plane.
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