Since the passport card is apparently worthless, it is better to leave that than your actual passport. Generally speaking, when someone is thinking about a passport, chances are good that they are thinking about a passport book. The passport card is a cheaper alternative to the passport book. Aug 18, 2016 one is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. Aug 24, 2017 the process of applying for or renewing a passport card is the same process thats used for the passport book. What is the difference between a passport and a passport card. 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.
Unless you use the mobile passport app, youll have to. Whether you get the passport bookcard both are valid for 10 years. 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, and those not eligible to use the form ds82, should apply for a passport card using form ds11. Differences between a passport book and passport card. Learn more on our covid19 update page and our frequently asked questions page. If you are flying by plane, a cape, a giant eagle, or anything for that matter, you have to get the passport book.
Dec 14, 2011 the passport book is used for all air travel. A passport card is cheaper to get but is only valid for travel to canada, mexico and the caribbean islands. Also, if you get a passport card separately from your passport, it has a different number and expiration date also costs a bit more. The passport card is not valid for international air travel. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. The walletsized passport card is designed to be more convenient and less cumbersome than regular passports. You can apply by mail using form ds82 if you have a passport book or card that. You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a passport book. You will need to report the loss of your passport card by calling 8774872778 or by filling out the lost passport report form ds64 and mailing it to the address on the form. If youve had a passport in the past one that was issued to you in the last 15 years and you meet a few other criteria, you can apply for your passport card by mail, using form ds82. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. Passport card is a walletsize travel document that can be used for land or sea travel to canada, mexico, bermuda, and the caribbean whereas a passport book. Effective march 24, 2020, the issuance of passport books and cards has been suspended until further notice.
Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. Valid for all forms of travel by land, sea, and air. A passport book is valid for any international travel by air, sea or land. You only need a passport book if you travel by air.
Should i get a passport card to go along with my passport. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. Valid for 10 years for an adult and 5 years for a minor. In october 2015, ireland became one of the first countries in the world to launch a passport card. 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.
Department of state since 2008, and can be used to enter and exit the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at land border crossings or sea portsofentry, and is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages. A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land sea. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison diffen. There is no reason to ever get a passport card, unless you only travel to canada, mexico or caribbean. The passport book or card can be expedited, the processing time for expedited service is 2 to 3 weeks. The passport card facilitates entry and expedites document processing at u. Passport is a must for any person that is looking to internationally travel via any means.
Introduced in 2008, the passport card is a relatively inexpensive personal identification card that can be used in place of a passport book or drivers license at land and sea entry points to. The passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. 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. The difference between a passport book and passport card. It contains several pages like the passport details page which provides the holders name,date of birth, passport expiry date etc as well as other blank pages for visa and immigration stamping a passport card is a portable pocket sized card similar to a credit card that fits in your wallet. Currently, all citizens of the united states need a one or the other for international travel, even to neighboring countries such as mexico and canada. The passport card contains the same information as a passport book, with a. 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. The card is as small as a credit card it doesnt take as much to manufacture them. As passport books allows more activities as compare to passport card so they tend to cost more as well. 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. Depending on your budget and travel plans, you can choose between a passport card or book. The fee to obtain a passport card and passport book also changes.
What is the difference between a passport book and a passport. What is the differences between passport book vs passport card. Of the internal pages, 17 are blank pages marked visas that are meant for travel visas and country entry and exit stamps. A passport book is valid for all types of travel land. An adult passport card looks similar to a drivers license, and is valid for ten years. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. Since we all know how to acquire passport booklets, lets learn how to get hold of a passport card. Apr 24, 2015 as the other two answers have hinted at, unless you live near the us border or youre traveling by sea vessel, the passport card is rubbish at its stated purpose. I called the passport agency at 8774872778 to confirm thistwice. Travel articles do you need a passport or a passport card.
A passport book is a common source of identification for many travelers. Our priority passport card shipping at us passport now guarantees your passport card will be in your hands within 23 weeks, and with our easy 3step process, you will find the process is very simple. When the book comes, resume my normal travel pattern. A previous passport book holder, eligible to use form ds82, may apply for a passport card as a renewal. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. Passport card can be used to enter the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at land border crossings or sea portsofentry and is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. The passport card is a wallet side document that will be used to expedite document processing from the u. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. Can be used for international travel via land, sea, or air. Oct 07, 2017 whether you get the passport book card both are valid for 10 years. While the passport book allows the holder to travel worldwide with proper visa and documentation, the passport card only allows the holder to travel to and fro neighboring countries such as canada, mexico, bahamas and the caribbean. 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.
The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. If youve wondered what the difference is between a passport book and a passport card, youve come to the right place. The cardformat passport is for international travel by u. The other is the passport card, which is just like a drivers license. What is the difference between a passport book and a. Passport books can be accepted in any country unless theyve barred us citizens from entry, like north korea, and are valid for visa applications, while a passport card can only be used to enter countries by land or sea.
Travel requirements with the growing threat of global terrorism, all traveling us citizens are required to possess more specific documentation than in the past. What is the differences between passport book vs passport. If you plan on traveling by air, the passport book has you covered but the passport card leaves you at the airport missing your flight. Difference between a passport book and passport card. A passport card is valid for travel to and from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda at land border crossings and sea portsofentry. You can just slip it in your wallet, right behind your drivers license. The difference between passport and passport card us. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. The passport card contains the same information as a passport book, with a size similar to a laminated stateissued drivers license. Priority passport card us passport card service with. Otherwise, it carries the rights and privileges of the u. If you are traveling by air or to most countries, you will need a traditional passport book, with pages for your various visas.
Enhanced drivers license many people may not know but depending on the state that you live in a third option is available to you. The biggest difference between a passport book and passport card is that passport cards are only valid to enter canada, mexico, bermuda, and. The passport book is the same as the original passport you need it when youre going to travel by airplane. For more information view our passport first time issuances and renewal instructions. Feb 21, 2008 the passport book is the same as the original passport you need it when youre going to travel by airplane. 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. Launching the irish passport card department of foreign. However, the passport book is valid for all forms of travel. Department of state since 2008, and can be used to enter and exit the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at land border crossings or sea portsofentry, and is. 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.
The passport card allows irish citizens to travel to 31 countries, including european union member states, the european economic area eea countries, and switzerland, without needing to carry their passport book. Differences between passport book and passport card. Passport book vs passport card for kids the dis disney. The passport card is smaller when compared to the size of passport book. Because of public health measures to prevent the spread of covid19, effective march 20, we have limited u. It is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors under 16. It comes with many blank pages to be stamped at customs. Both documents are valid for 10 years for adults 16 and older, and 5 years for those under the age of 16.
Passport book is valid for international travel by air, sea, or land. 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. While the passport card is more convenient due to its size, it is far more restricted in use than the passport book. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. This includes certified copies of birth certificates, naturalization certificates, or previous passport books or passport cards. See below the differences between a passport book vs. Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. There are certain certain restrictions when using a passport card. 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 is valid for travel anywhere and is. The us passport card is a small passport card, about the size of a credit card, that contains your photo and identifying information. The answer depends on where you live and what kind of travel you most commonly do. The card format passport is for international travel by u. 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 the difference between a passport card number and a. Unless you have a lifeordeath emergency, you should wait to apply for or renew your passport until we resume normal operations. The traditional passport book is still required for most travel purposes. The difference between the numbers is two digits and the letter c.
The most obvious difference between passport books and passport cards is the design, of course. One is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. 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. Passport operations in response to covid19 because of public health measures to prevent the spread of covid19, effective march 20, we have limited u. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card. Also, the passport book allows travel via all three means air, land and sea. Us passport books and us passport cards the differences. 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. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. From passport cards to global entry, which trustedtraveler. However, i still have a passport card anyway, i use it as my primary form of id, an.
Passport card is wallet sized document while passport book size is 5. Fees vary based on age, the speed of service you request and whether you already have a passport. Adult passport cards remain valid for 10 years and cards issued to children under 16 years of age for five years. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. What is the difference between a passport card number and. 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. Nov 20, 2017 a passport card allows significantly fewer opportunities for the holder to travel, but often its enough for some. The difference between a passport book or card getaway usa. What is the difference between a passport book and.
What is the diffference between a passport book and a. Applying for passport card wo giving up passport book. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. 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. Use the passport book to get the passport card, keeping the book in my possession. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. Along with allowing for international travel, passports can be used to prove your identity and citizenship, especially when you need multiple forms of identification. This is because a passport book is the booklet containing information about the person to whom it has been issued, which is in addition to a number of blank pages that can be used for travel visas as well as the stamps when said individuals enters and exits a country. If you have also lost your passport book, please see our lost passport or stolen passport pages for details on how to replace your passport. You can now apply for a passport book and a passport card.
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