Do i need to get a passport card and book

Firsttime passport card applicants who do not have a passport book traditional passport must go in person to a passport. Use the passport book to get the passport card, keeping the book in my possession. If you dont want to spend the money for the full passport i would save what. The primary justification i had for doing so was tha. 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.

You only need a passport book if you travel by air. First of all, the passport book contains many pages designated for visa stickers and stamps, while the passport card, on the other hand, is a credit card like id. Depending on where you are traveling outside of the u. Its easy to get a passport card for your child when you apply for their minor passport book.

If youve never had a us passport before, this article outlines how you go about getting a passport book not passport card for the first time if youre living in the us and are an adult. The passport card will match the expiry date of your passport book, if you have less than 5 years validity remaining. You will need to fill in an official form and present identification and proof of citizenship. One is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. Not only do they look different, they serve slightly different purposes. Your passport book would need to be surrendered if the application is made by mail. Youll need to include your most recent passport, form ds82, an updated passport photo, payment for the new book andor card, and any documentation to. You can mail your renewal application directly to the state department yourself. The first step in obtaining a passport card is downloading and filling out the ds11 form. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages. Adult passports are valid for 10 years and may be renewed by mail. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card.

Which one you must get completely depends on how you are going to travel and how much you are willing to pay for this travel document. For these adults with existing passports, consider whether you travel internationally frequently. Apr 06, 2016 its easy to get a passport card for your child when you apply for their minor passport book. Im not sure about the card, but the book doesnt take that excessively long to get it, but thats in canada. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. Nov 04, 2014 when you get ready to renew your passport, make sure you have the actual physical book or card. Your old passport card will be marked cancelled by having one corner clipped off. A travel itinerary or business letter that indicates that you are traveling within 2 weeks or 4 weeks if you need a travel visa. A passport book is required for all international travel by air. Both the passport book and passport card serve as proof of your u. Travel articles do you need a passport or a passport card. Apr 23, 2018 youll need to include your most recent passport, form ds82, an updated passport photo, payment for the new book andor card, and any documentation to support a requested name change. Passport cards, like passport books, are valid for 10 years from the date of issue or 5 years, for children age 15 and younger. Applying for passport card wo giving up passport book.

Find a period of time when im not going to be traveling internationally and apply for the renewal book, using the card as id for domestic trips in the interim. Here are more details about how to apply for a passport card. All you have to do is mark the passport application to show you are requesting both the passport book and passport card. You can imagine my surprise when i found myself putting an x in the checkbox on my u. A single 2by2inch passport photo must be submitted with each application. The application process for a passport card is very similar to applying for a passport. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. If you already hold a passport book, your card will be issued with a different number. Do you need a passport card and book to go from the us to. May 10, 2010 the passport cards usefulness as an international travel identification document is so limited, its not adequate for most of its intended use. To apply for a new passport card, you will need to use one of the following procedures.

The passport card is the size of a drivers license and is used for convenience as it is smaller and cheaper than the passport book. If you need your passport card in a hurry, the best way to do it is to use the services of a passport expediting company. You may have heard about passport cards, which are smaller, less expensive, and may seem more convenient than the standard passport book. 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. 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. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card.

What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. Passport if you are thinking about applying for or renewing a u. Passport photos must be in color and taken within the past six months in front of a white or off. When you apply for a passport card, youll spend less money than you would when. Differences between a passport book and passport card. The application process is the same for either the passport book or card, even if you want both at the same time. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. Passport photos must be in color and taken within the past six months in. Department of state has a simple to read list of facts. State department issues two versions of a passport. The passport cards usefulness as an international travel identification document is so limited, its not adequate for most of its. Yes, passport cards can be renewed just like passport books. Passport cards are particularly useful for some people. I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time.

If you already have a passport book, you do not need a passport card to travel internationally. When you get ready to renew your passport, make sure you have the actual physical book or card. Aug 10, 2012 a passport book is bigger than a passport card. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport. A passport card is cheaper than a passport book, but cant be used for air travel and. If you are traveling on to europe, youll need a passport with at least three months of remaining validity from. Adults who already have a valid passport may use form ds82 to apply by mail or form ds11 to apply in person. I live in canada and ive gotten into the us with the book. Jun, 2019 how to get a us passport book first time. Both documents are valid for 10 years for adults 16 and older, and 5 years for those under the age of 16. Visa, mastercard, diners club international and american express cards are accepted. Last summer i was in michigan and the opportunity arose to go to canada for the day.

Youll need to submit both documents when you do your next renewal. Ds11 only has options under have you ever had either a passport cardbook for no, loststolen, or submitted with application. If you get a passport book and card at the same time, they will expire at the same time. If so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. 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. I m not sure about the card, but the book doesnt take that excessively long to get it, but thats in canada. 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. However, you will need the book if youre flying across the border. When i last renewed my passport i decided to pay the extra few bucks for a passport card and im glad i did. There is no reason to ever get a passport card, unless you only travel to canada, mexico or caribbean. What is the difference between a passport book and passport card. Getting your us passport as easily and quickly as possible. If youre planning a trip to any other destination, then you would need a u.

The passport card cannot be used for international air travel. An adult passport card looks similar to a drivers license, and is valid for ten years. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card. If you already have a us passport, you may be able to apply for a new passport card using passport renewal form ds82. If you are applying for a passport, youll need to consider whether to get a passport book or a passport card. I didnt have my passport with me but i did have my c. Aug 18, 2016 one is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. There are several options when it comes to forms of identification for travel. Of the internal pages, 17 are blank pages marked visas that are meant for travel visas and country entry and exit stamps.

To enter canada, your passport book or card must be valid at the time of entry. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is not requried that you obtain both. A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. With standard processing, you should submit your application no later than 8 weeks before your travel date. The passport card is only valid for entry into the united states at land border crossings or sea ports of entry. If you are traveling on to europe, youll need a passport with at least. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. I believe getting the passport card is the same price as getting a passport book renewal. Department of state has a simpletoread list of facts. Cancun passport requirements vary depending on how you enter mexico.

You have to go in person to present your application. The other is the passport card, which is just like a drivers license. Passport book allows you to travel by land, sea and air. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states.

First of all, the passport book contains many pages designated for visa stickers and stamps, while the passport card, on the other hand, is a credit cardlike id. Because of public health measures to prevent the spread of covid19. You will also need a new passport photo, a completed ds82 if submitting by mail and the application fee. These companies can get you a passport card in as little as 24 hours. Any time you board an international flight, you will need a valid us passport book. In this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. Save yourself hassle with expedited passport services if you dont have the time or patience for applying for your u. Feb 12, 2019 the passport card is the size of a drivers license and is used for convenience as it is smaller and cheaper than the passport book.

I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. If you would like to apply for a passport card when applying for a new passport, you only need to. Department of state passport services recently began issuing the passport card as an alternative to the traditional passport book. The passport card is a wallet side document that will be used to expedite document processing from the u. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their. Oct 05, 2018 if so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. Passport card department of foreign affairs and trade. Figure out how much time you need before your trip. In a short period of time, passport services received over 350,000 applications for the passport card. If you have a valid passport book, you do not have to get a passport card as well. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. If you have lost your passport, you may have to show some additional documentation such as a copy of your official birth certificate or other.

These rules do not apply to cruises roundtrip from san juan, puerto rico, as the. Sometimes it makes life more convenient to have both a passport book and a card, and carry them both on your international travel. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. To enter the united states at land border crossings or sea portsofentry from canada, mexico, the. I live in canada and i ve gotten into the us with the book. If you are thinking about applying for or renewing a u. How to apply for a new passport card rush my passport. This application will be automatically generated from our platform and needs to be signed when visiting an acceptance agent. Fill out the application using a black ink pen or use the state department online tool to fill out the application, and select passport card.

Should i get a passport card to go along with my passport. 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. Get a passport card with your passport renewal g3passports. However, if youd like to get a passport card still, you can apply by completing the ds82 passport renewal form. How to get a passport card if you already have a us passport. 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. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. Standard processing takes 46 weeks, not including the time it takes for your new passport book to get to you. What is the difference between a passport book and. Feb 21, 2020 cancun passport requirements vary depending on how you enter mexico. 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. 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 cards requested by mail are always shipped back to you via first class mail regular mail. I suggest you get the card since you are going on a cruise.