However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. 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. In such situations, a passport card comes in handy because it is the size of a credit card and fits nicely in a wallet. Start today by applying for or renewing your passport. 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. A major complaint people have about passport booklets is their size and shape. Passport card versus passport book a passport card will be cheaper than a regular passport for you to obtain. Did you know that your passport can be as small as your drivers license and could fit into your pocket with other cards. The passport card is designed to be a less expensive and more portable alternative to the passport book.
Your passport book allows you to travel by land, by sea, or by air. Aug 18, 2016 one is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. You cannot use a passport card to go to any other country. Can i renew my passport book to get a passport card and a name change. A traditional passport doesnt fit in a wallet and can be tedious to carry. You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a passport book. So, either you have a passport or not you can apply for passport card that you can easily carry wherever you want especially as the id proof for the kids who cant have driving licence. A passport book provides valid identification for any national or international travel. Of the internal pages, 17 are blank pages marked visas. If you are traveling by air or to most countries, you will need a traditional passport book.
In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. 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. How will my completed passport book andor passport card be sent to me. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. If you plan to travel to another country other than what was mention before, you will need a passport book. Difference between passport book and passport card compare. I have two children who will be needing passports as well and would like to get them passport cards. One instance could be, if you want to travel to jamaica, youll need a passport book. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. Report the loss of your passport card by calling 8774872778 or you can fill out the lost passport report form ds64 and mail this to the address on the form. Passport book allows you to travel by land, sea and air.
Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. Passport card department of foreign affairs and trade. When you apply for a passport card, youll spend less money than you would when. Apply in person bureau of consular affairs us department of state. 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. Differences between passport book and passport card. First of all, a passport card can be used for travel by sea to barbados. The difference between passport and passport card us. I suggest you get the card since you are going on a cruise. Can i renew my passport book to get a passport card and a. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. 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. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. If your cruise departs from florida but stops in jamaica before returning to florida, youll need your passport card.
Passport cards are particularly useful for some people. I believe getting the passport card is the same price as getting a passport book renewal. A passport card is the same size as a drivers license, and is official proof of your identity and us citizenship. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. H ave you ever wished your passport could fit inside your wallet. So if someone gets sick on a cruise and only has the. If you are looking for instruction on how to get a u. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. Applications for a passport or passport card may be submitted at any of 9,300 passport application acceptance facilities, which typically include u. Difference between passport book and passport card. Passport card is a travel document that can be used to enter the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at land border crossings or sea portsofentry. 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 can be used for international travel to all destinations by air, land, or sea. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document.
Also, the passport book allows travel via all three means air, land and sea. Also, if youve lost your passport book, go and see our stolen passport or lost passport pages for details on getting the replacement of your passport. A us passport card is used as a federal id and is only good for travel to canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at land border crossings or sea portsofentry and is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. Aug 09, 2016 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 book only covers land border crossings or seaport entry. 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 other is the passport card, which is just like a drivers license. Launching the irish passport card department of foreign.
You only need a passport book if you travel by air. The form for renewing a passport or passport card is ds82. A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land sea. I will be traveling this february to mexico cruise and would prefer to renew my passport just in case of an emergency. You can get a us passport card, whether or not you currently hold a passport book. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. In october 2015, ireland became one of the first countries in the world to launch a passport card.
Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. Both documents are valid for 10 years for adults 16 and older, and 5 years for those under the age of 16. Sep 30, 2015 the passport book covers international travel by land, air and sea. 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. Passport card difference between passport book and passport card u. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. Otherwise, it carries the rights and privileges of the u. The passport card is only good for land and sea travel to canada, mexico and approximately 17 islands in the caribbean. Passport second edition level 1 student book with cd. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. Is a question frequently asked by our readers if you are traveling to mexico, canada, and the caribbean as a u. How will my passport book andor card be mailed back to me. One is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped.
You cannot use a passport card when traveling by air internationally. It is a credit card sized, laminated document that is less expensive than the passport book, and discounted further if the traveler also holds a valid passport book, but it is not necessary to have a passport book to get the passport card. The passport card is also a valid form of id so it is useful to have it on you at all times when traveling abroad. Mar 16, 20 the passport card is only good for land and sea travel to canada, mexico and approximately 17 islands in 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.
The us passport card is a credit card sized identification document. Passport books and cards are alternatives to a stateissued id. We have to build a passport card guide on how to get a passport card. My passport was issued to me when i was 17 years old and now 10 years later i believe i am eligible to renew it. Passport cards and passport books are no exception. Whats the difference between a passport book and a.
It can be used for travel to 31 countries in the european union eu and european economic area eea plus switzerland. 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. You must renew your passport book at the same time that your apply for your passport card so your passport book and card have the same number. What is the difference between a passport and a passport. Passport second edition level 1 student book with cdangela buckingham, lewis lansford. In addition to this, we have passport card, this is a card which is used for only land and sea travel on the listed countries in italic on the card.
The passport card is available to all irish citizens who hold a valid irish passport book. What is the difference between a passport book and passport card. If any of the following apply to you, you may want to obtain a passport card. 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. Your personal details must be an exact match of the details that appear in your passport book. You can carry your passport card with you at all times and leave the passport book safe in the hotel room locker. The card comes in very handy because it is much easier to handle. The passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. Aug 10, 2012 a passport book is bigger than a passport card. Passport second edition level 1 student book with cd angela. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card. 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. The passport book and the passport card are two different unique documents with unique number.
Both forms are available for download on the state departments passport website. So if someone gets sick on a cruise and only has the passport card, they cant fly them home. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. 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. Expedited passport card how to expedite a child passport. 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.
The passport card facilitates entry and expedites document processing at u. What is the difference between a passport book and. Learn more about how a passport card differs from a passport book. It was designed for people who travel frequently between the us and canada, mexico, bermuda or the caribbean by land or sea. Differences between a passport book and passport card.
Entering the united states at land border crossings and sea portsofentry from. 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. 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. 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. 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. Like a passport book, you must complete form ds11but select passport card option instead. Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages. Note that it cannot be used for international air travel.
The us passport card is a small passport card, about the size of a credit card, that contains your photo and identifying information. This is a privately owned website and not a government agency. You must have the original copies of all required documents. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air. The traditional passport book is still required for most travel purposes. If you have the book, you dont need the card unless youd like to have it as a walletsized id or you plan to travel frequently by car to canada andor mexicothe card gets you through quicker in those situations. The passport card contains a radio frequency identification chip as well as the traditional photograph and personal information found in a passport book. However, if you get a passport card, it cannot be used for travel by air.