You can use form ds82 to renew your passport book at the same time that your apply for your passport card. The passport book and the passport card are both valid passport that will attest to your identity as well as citizenship. Difference between a passport book and passport card. The passport publication has lots of pages for arrivaldeparture stamps and visas, while the passport card is a id card. 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. If you get a passport book and card at the same time, they will expire at the same time. Otherwise you will need to use form ds11 to apply for a passport card. Both passport cards and books are also acceptable on shore excursions. Mar 18, 2020 the passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. Travel articles do you need a passport or a passport card.
You can apply by mail using form ds82 if you have a passport book or card that. What is the difference between a passport book and passport card. The passport book is accepted for any form of international travel and is also the document that holds your visas. Yes, you can apply for both a passport book and passport card at the. If you already only have the passport book, you can get the passport card as well when you apply for your next passport renewal. Passport books are larger than cards and come with many pages for customs stamps. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is. 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. Sometimes it makes life more convenient to have both a passport book and a card, and carry them both on your international travel.
Enhanced drivers license many people may not know but depending on the. Not only do they seem different, they serve different functions. What is a passport card, and what should you know when youre considering a passport book vs. Oct 07, 2017 whether you get the passport book card both are valid for 10 years. 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. Whether you choose a passport book or a passport card is up to you. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults. No one expects an emergency, and whether you plan or not plan to travel by air, you will require a us passport book. While there are similarities between a passport book and passport card, it is crucial that those holding either the passport book or card and individuals needing to obtain a passport for the first time know the differences. A passport book is required for all international travel by air.
In this post, you will get the benefits of having both documents. Whether you get the passport bookcard both are valid for 10 years. A passport card can be used to enter the us states at land border crossing or seaportsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. You can use the passport card to keep in your wallet at all times, with the passport book at home and ready to go should the need. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. Do you need a passport card or passport book to travel by. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. I dont need to be busy looking for the passport, flight ticket and cash at security check point or duty free stores anymore. Minor children will need to have their passports renewed every 5 years until they reach 16 years of age. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport. I f youve wondered what the difference is between a passport book and a passport card, youve come to the right place. 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. While having a us passport card is great and affordable, if you need an emergency trip home, you may decide that a us passport book is more your liking.
They have been available to us citizens since 2008, and are meant to be a convenient way to prove your identity and citizenship. Its something they can keep in their wallet rather than carrying the much larger passport book around all the time. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. Both are good for 10 years 16yo and up, 5 years if under. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. Well help you determine whether you want or need to pay extra for the passport card.
The other is the passport card, which is just like a drivers license. If any of the above statements do not apply to you, you must apply in person using form. Yes, passport cards can be renewed just like passport books. Both the book and the card are equally valid as proof of identity and citizenship, and can be used for domestic air travel. 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. Its only good for crossing into those countries by land or sea.
A passport card is cheaper than a passport book, but cant be used for air travel and. Jan 23, 2019 should i choose a passport book or passport card. The passport card is meant for people who live near the border with canada or mexico, and cross that border frequently. Feb 12, 2019 passport book the passport book is designed to be used for all types of international travel. 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. Enhanced drivers license many people may not know but depending on the state that you live in a third option is available to you. You do not need a valid passport book in order to apply for a passport id card, and you can apply for either the card only, or you can apply for a passport book and a passport card at the same time. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults, and five years for travelers under age 16. To renew a childs passport book card you would need to submit the paperwork via the post office and you will need an appointment to do this. Card is good from the us to canada, mexico, and the caribbean by land or sea, but not air travel. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. Should americans have both 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. The passport card is only valid for entry into the united states at land border crossings or sea ports of entry. You will be required to submit your expired passport book card with your application. If you think having both will serve your purpose, then go ahead and get them. Both passport books and cards are valid for 10 years, so if it fits your travel plans, the passport card can be a. No passport card can be used for international air travel, even to a country that does allow entry with a passport card by land or sea. Aug 18, 2016 today, united states citizens need a passport to travel to neighboring countries such as mexico and canada. Yes, you can apply for both a passport book and passport card at the same. Adults will need to have their passport renewed every 10 years. Your old passport card will be marked cancelled by having one corner clipped off.
You can apply for a us passport card by mail if you already have a us passport book and eligible to use form ds82. Nov 04, 2014 conveniently, both the passport book and the passport card have the same renewal period. How to know if you need a passport book or passport card. Us passport book and passport card online application. For most forms of international travel which you might wish to do in the future, a passport book is required. Can i apply for a passport card and passport book using the same. Well help you determine whether you want or need to. I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time.
These rules do not apply to cruises roundtrip from san juan, puerto rico, as the. Differences between a passport book and passport card. Passport cards are a form of us passport that are the size of a credit card or drivers license. See passport fees for more information on the cost of a u. Well clear that up in the article below, and give you a couple good reasons why you may want to have both at the same time. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. Department of state passport services recently began issuing the passport card as an alternative to the traditional passport book. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport.
The passport book is valid for all international travel. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is not required that you obtain both. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. If you are applying for a passport, youll need to consider whether to get a passport book or a passport card. In a short period of time, passport services received over 350,000 applications for the passport card. For domestic travel, the passport card is easier to carry because its walletsized. Jun 02, 2018 while the book can still be used to cross by land into canada or mexico, it can be a little cumbersome to carry a full book when a card conveniently fits in any wallet. An adult passport card looks similar to a drivers license, and is valid for ten years.
A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. If you have any intention of traveling internationally, say to europe, youll need a passport book. However, the card was created to facilitate the frequent travel of. Oct 16, 2017 the passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. They can be used for land or sea travel to canada, mexico, bermuda. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. If you already have a valid us passport book, then it is not required to also have a passport card to travel internationally. The primary differences determine where and how the holder may travel. The state departments website offers complete details and an online application form. I previously had a regular passport holder, which was just a sleeve for my passport. If you already hold a passport book, your card will be issued with a different number. 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.
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. One question we see a lot online is what is a passport card. On the top of the ds82 application for passport renewal, you can select both. While a passport book is valid for all types of travel land, sea or air to any destination. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. The passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. Youll need to submit both documents when you do your next renewal. If you have a passport book and you are eligible to use form ds82, you may apply for a passport card as a renewal by mail even if it is your first passport card. One is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped.
366 230 424 1263 261 1026 539 1301 10 994 451 354 720 1322 1606 739 563 203 1258 166 958 75 429 312 586 1255 549 1200 1086 1265 506 497