Are passport cards the same as passport books

This method of application is convenient and generally takes the same amount of time to process. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. The department of state is issuing this passport card in response to the needs of border resident communities for a less expensive and more portable alternative to the traditional passport book. Passport cards and passport books are valid for 10 years. Passport cards only allow you to make land and sea crossing to canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda. Passport books are larger than cards and come with many pages for customs stamps. The passport card cannot be used for international air travel. Passport books and cards are equally useful as a source of identification. It will otherwise carry the rights and privileges of the u. Over 7 million passport cards have been issued since its introduction in 2008.

Passport book fees are more than passport card fees. If you already hold a passport book, your card will be issued with a different number. Travelers should always be prepared for any situation to arise, especially emergency situations where a flight may be required. The passport book has plenty of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps, while the passport card is a onepiece creditcardsized id card. While the card differs in several ways to the traditional u. Passport cards have the same validity period as passport books. I have the passport card, are the numbers the same. Us passport books and us passport cards the differences. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. 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.

Due to this, each one possesses its own particular upsides and downsides, meaning that each one might be bettersuited to some people out there than the other. Passport cards are much more limited than books if you are planning to do extensive traveling. A passport card is valid for travel to and from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda at land border crossings and sea portsofentry. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults, and five years for travelers under age 16.

Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card. The passport card contains a vicinityread radio frequency identification rfid chip. Get a passport card with your passport renewal g3passports. A passport card does not count as a second passport. Travelers who need passport cards in less than two weeks must make an appointment at one of the regional passport agency offices to submit their applications and payment in person. Besides passports, limited use passport cards and are issued by the same organization subject to the same requirements. Any united states citizen over the age of 16 can apply for an adult passport card. Of the internal pages, 17 are blank pages marked visas. Passport book vs passport card for kids the dis disney. Apr 12, 2014 in july of 2008, due to requests from residents along us borders for a more portable and easier application process than a regular passport, the united states department of state began issuing passport cards, a wallet sized identity card usable for international travel by land and sea, valid only for travel to canada, mexico, the. While designed to be a less expensive and more portable version of the passport book, it comes with severe limitations.

Photodiscphotodiscgetty images introduced in 2008, passport cards are a state department initiative aimed at providing a. Like passport books, adult passport cards remain valid for 10 years from the date of issue. Passport card frequently asked questions with answers. Both passport books and cards are valid for 10 years. In july of 2008, due to requests from residents along us borders for a more portable and easier application process than a regular passport, the united states department of state began issuing passport cards, a wallet sized identity card usable for international travel by land and sea, valid only for travel to canada, mexico, the. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. If your travel plans take you to a country bordering the u. Passport books a guide on all united states passport books. Also called nofee passport books, these red books allow international travel for military officers or government employees only while performing official. You can use form ds82 to renew your passport book at the same time you apply for your first passport card.

The state departments website offers complete details and an. We do not use 12 day delivery services for passport cards. 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. Have the same name that is printed on their old passport books or cards, or they have legal proof of their name changes. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air. Passport cards operate the same as passport books in the fact that they allow you to enter a foreign country where some type of passport identification is needed. The card has the same validity period as a passport book. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. Difference between passport book and passport card. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. Check at the passport agency to see what forms of payment they take. Passport cards have been an option for us citizens since 2008, but they are still not as well known or well understood as the traditional passport books.

It attests to your united states citizenship and your identity. As stated, the passport book and the passport card are not the same. May 17, 2011 i would get the passport book or nothing the birth certificate and the passport card seem equal in value to me you cant fly home with either, and that would be the point of getting the passport book if there is an emergency and you are in a foreign country, you cannot get on an airplane without a passport book, period, so it seems like a. Be aware of the fact that a passport card is only valid for land and sea travel to canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. The walletsized passport card is designed to be more convenient and less cumbersome than regular passports.

A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. Second, a good argument can be made that the passport card is more useful than the passport book for the limited circumstances in which it can be used. Passport card is also valid for international travel but by land or sea only. Jun 20, 2019 passport book is valid for international travel by air, sea, or land. Passport cards for under 18s will be valid for the same period as the passport book.

Even if you only want to travel to canada, mexico, and the caribbean, you will not be able to use your card for air travel, and you will face difficulties returning to. Jan 08, 2020 both passport books and cards are valid for 10 years. However, the accepted payment methods for mailed applications are limited. Find uses and advantages of a passport book and a passport card and figure out which one is. Mar 18, 2020 passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults, and five years for travelers under age 16. No, your book and card will have two completely different numbers. A passport book validity time limit is 10 years for people aged 16 and older and 5 years for those under 16 years old.

Today, well answer the most frequently asked questions about passport cards and show you how you can get a passport card along with your next passport renewal. You can just slip it in your wallet, right behind your drivers license. Will my passport card have the same number as my passport book. Passport book has been in use for a longer period than the passport card.

Passport card is wallet sized document while passport book size is 5. Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages. While customers rarely have two passport books, they commonly have both a passport book and a passport card. In part, this is because the passport card is the size of a standard id card, meaning that it can be carried with the same convenience as any other. My husband and i would like to renew our passport cards for passport books. If you apply for a passport card it will be issued valid for 10 years regardless of the expiration date of your passport book. Consider using a passport card for your next border crossing by land or by sea. The us state department uses different number formats for books and cards. You can only get a passport card with a passport book as part of a bundle which is an option you can select when renewing your childs passport online. Excellent form of official identification for children or nondrivers.

Both types, passport books and passport cards, exist in the united states of america. Our passport books are sure to be a hit at kids parties or other kidfriendly events. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. Jan 18, 2019 these passport books are issued to united states citizen who is in need of a passport for identification purposes or to travel to an international destination. It is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors under 16. As passport books allows more activities as compare to passport card so they tend to cost more as well. Us passport book and passport card online application.

The execution fee will be the same for both passport books and passport cards. Passport books allow you to travel internationally with no restriction on air travel. If you only applied for a passport card, the card will be sent to you via first class mail. Passport cards, like passport books, are valid for 10 years from the date of issue or 5 years, for children age 15 and younger. The good news is a passport card is generally valid for the same time and has the same application process as a 26 or 52page passport book. The department of state is issuing the passport card in response to the needs of border resident communities for a less expensive and more portable alternative to the traditional passport book. How to get a fast passport in pennsylvania usa today. Passport books are the common thing that comes to mind whenever a passport is mentioned it is a travel document and identification in a booklet. The passport book is valid for all types of travel. It is valid only to land and sea travel when entering the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda. Although not required on closed loop sailings, which call at foreign ports but sail roundtrip from the u. 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. I use mine all the time for this purpose, thanks to the incompetence of californias dmv. Nov 07, 2016 passport cards have been an option for us citizens since 2008, but they are still not as well known or well understood as the traditional passport books. Passport cards also have the same time frames of validity. Differences between a passport book and passport card. The united states passport book has been around for decades, but the passport card was introduced in 2008. Passport card department of foreign affairs and trade. However, us passport applicants who do not qualify under these situations need to use an alternative document, form ds11, and apply in person. Can we mail the applications, card and fees together in the same envelope or or should it be in separate envelopes. 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. A service fee will be associated with each order in addition to the government and shipping fees. A passport card serves the same purpose as a passport book. Please note intl visa service is not a government agency. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips.

Find out more about the key differences when it comes to passport books vs. Passport book numbers are 9 numerals long, and passport cards start with the letter c followed by 8 numerals. Passport books are more expensive than cards, both to apply for and to. The difference between a passport book or card getaway usa. The passport card shares the same validity period as the passport book. However, the passport book is valid for all forms of travel.

Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. I would get the passport book or nothing the birth certificate and the passport card seem equal in value to me you cant fly home with either, and that would be the point of getting the passport book if there is an emergency and you are in a foreign country, you cannot get on an airplane without a passport book, period, so it seems like a. If your drivers license is not real id compliant, a passport card is acceptable as federal id, e. Difference between a passport book and passport card.

Passport book is valid for international travel by air, sea, or land. We only issue second passport books not second passport cards. 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 your travel plans fit the limitations of the passport card, then it is a budget friendly option to obtaining a passport book. Call the national passport information center npic at 18774872778 or use npics online passport appointment system to schedule your appointment. Passport books and cards are alternatives to a stateissued id. For flight travel abroad you will need a new passport book by mid 2009. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. Us passport book and passport card online application assistance service usapassport. Oct 16, 2017 passport cards and passport books are valid for 10 years. Jan 06, 2009 if you apply for a passport card it will be issued valid for 10 years regardless of the expiration date of your passport book. We are a private company that is authorized to process us passport books and cards by the us passport agency. A passport book is valid for any international travel by air, sea or land.