Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card. 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. It is similar to a driver s licence in terms of design as it is small, plastic and is designed to slip into purses and wallets like any other card. More travel content what does an emergency passport mean in the u.
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 basically an individual credit cardsized id. Difference between passport book and passport card. State department issues two versions of a passport. Also, you cannot use your passport card for international air travel, only as id for domestic air travel.
Passport card is also valid for international travel but by land or sea only. Our website will assist you in filling in your application and we also offer a free live. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. Enhanced drivers license many people may not know but depending on the. See below the differences between a passport book vs. Applicants must provide documents which attest to their u. See the chart below to decide which is best for you. In addition to a regular passport, the passport book, u. However, the card was created to facilitate the frequent travel of. This free smartphone app, now in use at one cruise port and 20 u.
Whether you get the passport bookcard both are valid for 10 years. The passport book and the passport card are both valid passport that will attest to your identity as well as citizenship. Therefore, it can be used for all forms of travel air, land, and sea to and from any destination outside of the united states. Here are more details about how to apply for a passport card. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is not requried that you obtain both. Differences between a passport book and passport card. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. When you apply for a passport card, youll spend less money than you would when applying for a passport book. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. Apply for a passport card united states department of state. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. Although, keep in mind, while both can be used as forms of id. The application process and form are the same for both the passport book and. These countries include canada, mexico, and the caribbean.
The passport card contains a radio frequency identification chip as well as the traditional photograph and personal information found in a passport book. As mentioned, a passport card is basically one creditcardsized i. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. First, stop looking at the gorgeous person in the picture on the left, and look to the right. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a. If so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. The united states passport card is an official identity and. The us passport card is a credit cardsized identification document.
Entering the united states at land border crossings and sea portsofentry from. While the passport card is permissible for a cruise, you may want to reconsider getting the card over the book. If you are thinking about applying for or renewing a u. 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. You cannot use a passport card when traveling by air internationally. You will need to fill in an official form and present identification and proof of citizenship. Department of state has a simpletoread list of facts comparing the passport card with the passport book and providing links to applications for both.
Along with allowing for international travel, passports can be used to prove your identity and citizenship, especially when you need multiple forms of identification. Therefore, a statement is required when applying for a new u. The passport book has lots of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps. Passport card is wallet sized document while passport book size is 5. Below is a brief, noncomprehensive cost breakdown of each option. The us passport card allows you to enter the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at sea ports of entry, land border crossings and is more convenient and cheaper than a passport book.
The us passport book vs passport card salon prive mag. Furthermore, it is unlikely that information about your passport book is encoded in the 2d barcode or the rfid chip on the card. A passport book is valid for all types of travel land, sea or air to any destination. The card provides a less expensive, smaller, and more convenient alternative to the u.
All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. The passport card is a fully valid passport that attests to the u. Green card vs citizenship become a citizen or keep green card. If you are traveling by air or to most countries, you will need a. At the size of a driver s license, it is very portable. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. Think about it, some people may have gotten a passport card first. Here are the countries and territories where a us passport card is valid. It is also used for domestic travel to countries by land or sea. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. A passport book is valid for travel internationally by air, land or sea. For instance, if there is a medical or family emergency, you will not be able to fly out of the country to return home.
How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. The application fee for a passport card is also lower than the passport book. In the upper righthand corner, there s a ninedigit number, which is your passport number. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. These come in the form of a traditional passport book, along with a passport card. A passport card is a limiteduse, walletsize card, good for land and sea travel not air travel between the u.
The walletsized passport card is designed to be more convenient and less cumbersome than regular passports. A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air. Passport books and cards are alternatives to a stateissued id. 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. 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. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel.
Passport the application process is the same for either the passport book or card, even if you want both at the same time. While the passport card is more convenient due to its size, it is far more restricted in use than the passport book. The difference between passport and passport card us. Passport book for reentry into the united states from any country. It s easy to get distracted when flipping through a passport, but with a little bit of focus, finding the passport book number isnt too hard. In general, everyone must have a passport book or a regular passport to travel from one country to another. Passport card is a walletsize travel document that can only be used to reenter the united states at land bordercrossings or sea portsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda. The passport card does serve a purpose as a secondary form of photo identification and proof of u. In the united states, travelers have two options to use for international travel. A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land sea. 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. Both of these documents give you the ability to travel outside of the country.
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. The passport book vs card question is one you may have if you are a firsttime international traveler. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. The us passport card is a small passport card, about the size of a credit card, that contains your photo and identifying information. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card.
Passport book is valid for international travel by air, sea, or land. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their travels abroad. We outline the main differences so you can choose between these passport types quickly and easily. When it comes to the choice between a passport book vs passport card, it pays to know the key differences between each one. 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. Can be used for international travel via land, sea, or air. What is the differences between passport book vs passport.
The department of stateissued documentswhich allow u. 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. That small book is the key for entry into over 150 countries throughout the world. The passport booklet represents a universal travel option for u. Passport card for a reduced fee if you only plan to travel by land or sea to and from canada, mexico, bermuda, or the caribbean nations. It was designed for people who travel frequently between the u. Additionally, for states that do not yet comply with the real id act of 200.
When using international air travel, a passport book is required regardless of the foreign destination. A passport card is a plastic walletsized card similar to a driver s license, while a passport book measures 5 by 3. If issued for the full validity, they are both proof of your u. 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 passport card can be used for identification purposes. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air. You can just slip it in your wallet, right behind your driver s license.
You must have the original copies of all required documents. As passport books allows more activities as compare to passport card so they tend to cost more as well. As such, the passport card is adjudicated to the exact standards as the passport book. Department of state recommends the passport book as it is more versatile. Because of public health measures to prevent the spread of covid19, we have extremely limited u.
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