You cannot use a passport card when traveling by air internationally. Difference between passport book and passport card. To begin with, passport cards can not be used for air travel. H ave you ever wished your passport could fit inside your wallet. 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. There are different passport card fees depending on if you are an adult or a minor. Passport card department of foreign affairs and trade. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. Learn more about how a passport card differs from a passport book. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is not.
Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. If you already only have the passport book, you can get the passport card as well when you apply for your next passport renewal. The passport card is only valid for land and sea travel to canada, mexico, and the caribbean. Passport card is wallet sized document while passport book size is 5. Differences between a passport book and passport card. However, people find a passport card more convenient and accessible when carrying. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. You can use this credit card sized document to reenter the united states from mexico, canada, bermuda and the caribbean when traveling by land or sea. Passport book lets you travel by air internationally, but the card doesnt. If youre leaving for an international trip, your passport is the one essential item you cant leave home. 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.
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. Additionally, a passport card costs less than a passport book and is also real id compliant. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. There are, however, some key differences that need to be considered. The adult passport bundle, which includes a 10year passport book and 5year passport card for people aged over 18, costs 100. Can be used for international travel via land, sea, or air. For domestic travel, the passport card is easier to carry because its walletsized. A passport card is less expensive than a traditional passport book. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults, and five years for travelers under age 16. Our fees listed on this page are for those applying for or renewing their passport in the united states and renewing by mail from canada. If you do not receive a second mailing within 10 business days of receiving the first, please contact the national passport information center by email at. Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. First of all, a passport card can be used for travel by sea to barbados. You only need a passport book if you travel by air.
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. There are several options when it comes to forms of identification for travel. Applying for a passport card by mail will take up to 8 weeks. The passport card was designed for specific needs of northern and southern u. That means you cannot use the passport card for air travel. The primary justification i had for doing so was tha. The passport book has lots of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps.
The difference between a passport book or card getaway usa. You can use the irish passport card for travel within the european union and. 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. If issued for the full validity, they are both proof of your u.
In contrast, a passport card is similar in purpose to a passport book but much more limited in scope. A passport card is the same size as a drivers license, and is official proof of your identity and us citizenship. As like the passport book, the card also must be renewed after validation gets completed. Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages. Renewal cost of the passport book and passport card. Difference between passport book and passport card compare.
Again, this is only if you want a passport card but youve never had a passport before. I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time. Applying for a new passport or passport card quicklyeither before or after the april 2 deadline passesmay be a good idea. 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. This is perhaps unsurprising, seeing as how a passport card lacks the blank pages of the passport book because it is nothing more than the size of a standard id card. 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 application fee for a passport card is also lower than the passport book. What is the differences between passport book vs passport. If you own an expired passport or do not have one, and you do not have a real id, you will not be able to fly after oct. The passport card is valid for 5 years or until your passport book expires. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to 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. 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. The adult and minor passport card fees are about the same.
The passport book is the only document approved for international travel by air. A nonexpired passport book can be used as valid proof of identity and citizenship. On the top of the ds82 application for passport renewal, you can select both. Your passport book allows you to travel by land, by sea, or by air. A passport book is valid for all types of travel land, sea or air to any destination. Passport cards are also only valid in mexico, bermuda, canada and the caribbean. The passport card will match the expiry date of your passport book, if you have less than 5 years validity remaining. See the chart below to decide which is best for you. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. A passport book provides valid identification for any national or international travel. However, it has a great number of limitations, so clients requesting a passport card should give serious consideration to applying for a passport book as well.
Some people are confused with the differences between a passport book and a passport card. See below the differences between a passport book vs. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. The us passport book vs passport card salon prive mag. Can i apply for the passport card and passport book at the same time using the same application. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card. A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air. Applicants must provide documents which attest to their u. Any us citizen wishing to travel internationally via air must have a passport book. Validity of a passport book is 10 years for adults, 5 years for minors under age 16 the size of a passport book is approximately 5 x 3. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card. Passport card is also valid for international travel but by land or sea only. A passport card can be used to enter the us states at land border crossing or seaportsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda.
Passport book is a globally recognized travel document while passport card is not a globally recognized document. 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. As far as restrictions go, there are none with the passport book. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. If so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. In this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. If you are applying from outside ireland, there is an additional delivery cost of 5. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their travels abroad. 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. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison diffen.
You must have the original copies of all required documents. 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. Passport the application process is the same for either the passport book or card, even if you want both at the same time. So, passport cards are cheaper and more convenient. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. They let you travel to canada, mexico, bermuda, and the caribbean by land and sea. This service is not available for passport card applicants. As with a passport book, a nonexpired passport card can serve as your proof of identity and citizenship. You can use this creditcardsized document to reenter the united states from mexico, canada, bermuda and the caribbean when traveling by land or sea.
Although, keep in mind, while both can be used as forms of id. If you already have a passport book or passport card, you can renew by mail using form ds82. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. The passport card is a fully valid passport that attests to the u. Aug 10, 2012 passport cards and passport books are no exception. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport.
Nov 22, 2019 the cost between passport book vs passport card. Oct 05, 2018 if so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. As such, the passport card is adjudicated to the exact standards as the passport book. May, 2019 in this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. Jan 22, 2020 read below for more info on how to get your passport fast. What is the differences between passport book vs passport card. If you already have a passport book or passport card, you can renew by mail. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. It is even cheaper to buy both a passport and passport card at one time.
Passport book is valid for international travel by air, sea, or land. Only available for passport book applicants in the united states not canada. 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. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document.
For most forms of international travel which you might wish to do in the future, a passport book is required. There is also a big difference when it comes to price. So as not to get confused anymore, here a few points to remember on how to distinguish use of each. If you need a passport faster than 23 weeks, a thirdparty expediting service can submit your passport application for you for same day processing. Visa, mastercard, diners club international and american express cards are accepted.
As passport books allows more activities as compare to passport card so they tend to cost more as well. A passport card is cheaper than a passport book, but cant be used for air travel and is only valid in canada, mexico, bermuda, and the caribbean. 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. 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. If youre leaving for an international trip, your passport is. If you already have a passport, use form ds82 to apply for a passport card by mail and avoid the execution fee.
Additionally, the card is also a form of federal identification. If they meet all of your travel requirements, a card can be a sensible alternative to the regular passport booklet. Jun 20, 2019 passport card is wallet sized document while passport book size is 5. 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. What is the difference between a passport book and. Us passport book and passport card online application. The passport book is valid for all international travel. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. 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. You can get a us passport card, whether or not you currently hold a passport book. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. Excellent form of official identification for children or nondrivers. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. If you are unsure if you own a federal id card with the new security features, look at your license or identification card.