I lost my passport card, and i would like to apply for a new one to make use of the expedited rfid lanes at the mexican border. The passport card has benefits, but does not offer the same list of privileges as a traditional passport. Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages. In a short period of time, passport services received over 350,000 applications for the passport card. Ds11 only has options under have you ever had either a passport cardbook for no, loststolen, or submitted with application.
What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card. I want to get my 3 kids passports for our cruise in october. Consider using a passport card for your next border crossing by land or by sea. A us passport book may be a little more expensive and bulkier. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport. For example, if you can submit a passport book, but you lost your passport card, you cannot renew the passport card.
The passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. 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. It fits in most wallets, and is more resistant to damage as it does not have any pages. There is a place on the application to check whether you want to apply for a passport card, passport book or both. An adult passport card looks similar to a drivers license, and is valid for ten years. You do not need to renew your passport before it expires unless you are.
Note, passport cards can only be used for travel by land and sea. Get a passport card with your passport renewal g3passports. Differences between a passport book and passport card. Firsttime passport card applicants who do not have a passport book traditional passport must go in person to a passport application facility, such as a post office or courthouse, and submit a completed passport application form, proof of us citizenship, one passport photo and the required fee. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. Applying for a passport card by mail will take up to 8 weeks. Of the internal pages, 17 are blank pages marked visas that are meant for travel visas and country entry and exit stamps. It is my understanding that it is better to have them in case of emergency. Keep in mind that if you do have the card, you will need to complete a new application for the book. If any of the following apply to you, you may want to obtain a passport card. 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.
And, actually, the passport card will slow down your checkin time at the port a little bit, as they currently cannot be scanned into the computer like the passport books are. If your travel plans take you to a country bordering the u. I am trying to figure out if i need a passport book. How to apply for a new passport card rush my passport. Can you upgrade from a passport card to a passport book.
You may need to make an appointment to apply for your 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. If you have a valid passport book, you do not have to get a passport card as well. The passport card is a wallet side document that will be used to expedite document processing from the u. A us passport card can only be used for land and sea travel to canada, mexico or the caribbean.
It cannot be used to travel to any other countries, and it cannot be used for international air travel at all. To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to. If you plan to travel by air, then you will need a passport book. If you have the passport card, you may want to get the book as well in case you need to make unexpected flights. Entering the us from the caribbean via land border crossings and sea ports. You can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. However, before you apply for a new passport card, consider carefully whether or not you might be better off getting a us passport book. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. The passport cards usefulness as an international travel identification document is so limited, its not adequate for most of its intended use. Minor children will need to have their passports renewed every 5 years until they reach 16 years of age. Passport cards have been an option for us citizens since 2008, but they are still not as well known or. Passport cards cannot be used for international air travel, even within the 19 mostly caribbean countries that accept the cards at land or sea ports.
Generally speaking, when someone is thinking about a passport, chances are good that they are thinking about a passport book. The card has the same period of validity as a passport book. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. 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. Entering the us from canada via land border crossings and sea ports. My preference would be to not carry my passport in any kind of case at all but i have to be realistic, i need something basic to keep it from being damaged physically. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. Since the passport card is apparently worthless, it is better to leave that than your actual passport. The passport card is a very handy tool to have in your vital document wallet. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults, and five years for travelers under age 16. If i already have a passport book, can i use the ds82 to get a passport card. Otherwise, if youre certain that youll only be traveling by land or sea, then the card should suit your needs. A real passport book can get you anywhere in the world, while the passport card is limited. Save yourself hassle with expedited passport services if you dont have the time or patience for applying for your u.
Its as easy as checking a box on your passport renewal application to indicate you want a passport card along with your passport book. First of all, a passport card can be used for travel by sea to barbados. I want a card so i can frequently travel to mexico while my passport book is on hold for getting a visa to travel to china. I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time. Yes, if you have a passport card, you can obtain a passport book at any time. You cannot use the passport card to fly internationally. I currently have a passport card and never hard use for it but not to sure if i should apply for a passport book. How to apply for us passport card when i already have. Both the passport book and passport card serve as proof of your u. The passport book is the most common passport to carry. The passport book has plenty of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps, while the passport card is a onepiece creditcardsized id card. Also, if you get a passport card separately from your passport, it has a different number and expiration date also costs a bit more. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for.
I have a passport book for about five years now, but i wanted to obtain a passport card. For the love of physics walter lewin may 16, 2011 duration. 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. All you have to do is mark the passport application to show you are requesting both the passport book and passport card. Conveniently, both the passport book and the passport card have the same renewal period. Department of state passport services recently began issuing the passport card as an alternative to the traditional passport book. If you have a passport card and you are eligible to use form ds82. The passport card is designed to be a less expensive and more. 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. It was introduced on july 18th, 2008 and over 7 million passport cards have been issued since then.
The passport card is also commonly used for travelers that wish to take a cruise but do not plan on ever traveling by plane. I will be needing to get a passport book within the next couple of years so i can travel to barbados. To break it down simply, heres everything a card will cover on its own without the book. 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. I will be needing to get a passport book within the next couple of years so i. I have a passport card, but also need a passport book for overseas. Passport cards are particularly useful for some people. 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. There is no reason to ever get a passport card, unless you only travel to canada, mexico or caribbean.
Should i get a passport card to go along with my passport. In conclusion, the passport book versus passport card is important to know. To apply for a new passport card, you will need to use one of the. They are valid for five years from the date of issue, just like a minor passport book.
For example, you will not be able to travel to london, england with just your passport card. Does a passport card work to go to canada by train. Travel articles do you need a passport or a passport card. S citizens that want to travel by land or sea to canada, mexico, and the caribbean. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. Many frequent travelers have learned the art of traveling light and i have made an obsession of it. The passport card will match the expiry date of your passport book, if you have less than 5 years validity remaining. The purpose of the passport book is to allow entry and exit to any country in the world. Visa, mastercard, diners club international and american express cards are accepted.
Passport application form ds82, completed offline or filled out online at. The primary justification i had for doing so was tha. How to get a passport card if i already have a passport book. The pasport book is great for land and sea travel to canada, mexico, and. Passport card department of foreign affairs and trade. Firsttime passport card applicants who do not have a passport book traditional. You can apply by mail using form ds82 if you have a passport book or card that. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to barbados. It can also be used for domestic air travel in the usa. I currently have a passport card that was issued in june 2009. 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. The passport card is also real id compliant and can be used for domestic air travel. Your passport does not have to be expired for you to renew it.
Entering the us from mexico via land border crossings and sea ports. Requirements for passport card applicants who hold a valid passport book your current us passport this must be the actual book, not a photocopy. Adults will need to have their passport renewed every 10 years. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. Can i renew my passport book to get a passport card and a. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book.
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