In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. If you are interested in gaining a passport card for travel between the caribbean, canada, mexico and bermuda, then that can be done. You may request a larger passport book with 52 pages at no additional cost by checking the 52 page box at the top of the ds82. My passport book was issued two years ago and has eight years validity remaining. Sep 02, 2010 there is no reason to ever get a passport card, unless you only travel to canada, mexico or caribbean.
The united states passport card is an official identity and. If you get the card separately it will have its own distinct number and will remain valid even if your passport book is stolen. Department of state is now issuing a passport card in addition to the passport book which is a less expensive, smaller, and a more convenient alternative for travel by land and sea, between the u. To determine your eligibility, please visit travel. I suspect that if you are applying for a passport card alone then they only care about the old card and not the book theyd also care about the book only if you were applying for both, so just not checking any of those options and not including the book with the application might work. The fee for a passport card may look cheap, but dont think of it as an alternative to getting a passport book, unless you are only planning to take cruises or drive across. We can expedite your passport in as little as 24 hours. Both passport books and cards are valid for 10 years.
Can only be used in land and sea travels, not by air. 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. I will be traveling this february to mexico cruise and would prefer to renew my passport just in case of an emergency. If i apply for a passport card now, how long will it be valid. The us passport card does not contain any travel history and therefore officers should request a us passport book unless they are otherwise satisfied that the applicant continues to satisfy the residence requirement.
Learn more on our covid19 update page and our frequently asked questions page. If not such as a name change due to marriage, or legal name change can you submit the proper documentation supporting the name change. 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. The passport book is real id compliant and can be used for domestic air travel. 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. Difference between passport book and passport card.
However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. If one parent is not available, a notarized authorization from the absent parent is required. An adult passport card looks similar to a drivers license, and is valid for ten years. But later it does talk about needed it to gain citizenship. However, i dont think that means if you have a card and a book you must send the most recent of the two. 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. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. The primary justification i had for doing so was tha. You can renew a passport book, a passport card, or both documents. This new travel document can be used to enter the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at land border crossings or sea portsofentry. For renewal the ds82 instructions say to send the most recent passport book or card. Youll want to make sure your photo meets the state department passport photo requirements.
Normally, when a person obtains a passport, this is what he or she will receive. Frequently asked questions bureau of consular affairs us. Any us citizen wishing to travel internationally via air must have a passport book. As passport books allows more activities as compare to passport card so they tend to cost more as well. Both documents are valid for 10 years for adults 16 and older, and 5 years for those under the age of 16. The other is the passport card, which is just like a drivers license. A passport is commonly used to prove us citizenship, but it isnt the only method. Can i have a passport and passport card at the same time. Was your most recent passport book card issued less than 15 years ago. Applying for passport card wo giving up passport book. 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. The large book option is for those who frequently travel abroad during the passport validity period, and is recommended for applicants who have previously required the addition of visa pages. Sep 30, 2015 the passport book only covers land border crossings or seaport entry.
When you apply for a passport card, if you are age 16 or older, your card will be valid for ten years from the date of issuance. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. Passport card frequently asked questions with answers. It was introduced on july 18th, 2008 and over 7 million passport cards have been issued since then. If you are applying for a passport, youll need to consider whether to get a. This isnt an answer, though, since im not positive. The us post office can take up to 3 weeks to expedite your passport. Since john will be driving between buffalo, new york and toronto, canada at least once each quarter, he can use the passport card, but if he drives one way from buffalo to toronto and flies home, hell need a passport book for the flight. You dont need to present a passport or the card when entering and exiting the ship. Jun 23, 2009 the walletsize passport card is convenient and less expensive than the passport book. Youll need to include your most recent passport, form ds82, an updated passport photo, payment for the new book andor card, and any documentation to support a requested name change. 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.
Some countries require you to carry your passport with you at all times. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. March passport hours for westlake post office ohio. I applied for both a passport book and a passport card. I interpret that to mean if youre sending a card, send your most recent card, and if youre sending a book send your most recent book. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport. Do you use the same name as printed on your most recent passport book card. The passport card is designed to be a less expensive and more. This one point alone is why most applicants opt to get the passport book or both the card and the book together. 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. Passports come in the form of a passport book or card and applicants can apply for one or both.
Yes, if you have a passport card, you can obtain a passport book. You must prove both us citizenship and identity in a passport or passport card application. Costs the same, but has more than double the visa pages of the 28 page passport 28 pages, but only 18 visa pages. However, the passport book is valid for all forms of travel. A passport card is a very convenient way to travel. The difference between passport and passport card us. To apply for a passport schedule an appointment and appear in person to the consular section of the u. On the top of the ds82 application for passport renewal, you can select both. 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. Like the passport book, the passport card is issued only to u. Although not required on closed loop sailings, which call at foreign ports but sail roundtrip from the u. Because of public health measures to prevent the spread of covid19, effective march 20, we have limited u. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. The most obvious difference between passport books and passport cards is the design, of course.
The passport card may only be used for land and sea travel between the united states and canada, mexico, bermuda and the caribbean. Do i need a passport book, passport card, or passport book. The passport card contains an rfid radio frequency identification chip which is able to be scanned electronically to speed up. Regular book standard large book nonstandard date of birth mmddyyyy. Unless you have a life or death emergency, please consider waiting to apply until we resume normal operations. If the applicant already has a passport book and is capable of utilizing form ds82, they can apply for a passport card by the using a mailing system. Your passport cards validity is not linked to the expiration date of your passport book. Mar 16, 20 the passport card is only good for land and sea travel to canada, mexico and approximately 17 islands in the caribbean. Can you upgrade from a passport card to a passport book. A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air. Passport book is valid for international travel by air, sea, or land. However, since passport cards arent valid for flying, again i dont see how theyre helpful in that region. Apr 12, 2014 the passport card can be used by us citizens and resident noncitizens and is considerably less expensive to obtain than a regular passport, although application documentation required is similar for both documents. Passport the application process is the same for either the passport book or card, even if you want both at the same time.
The only reason youd most likely need a passport is if you got missed he ship for whatever reason. Form ds 82 step 10 most recent passport book or passport card. Print the online application and bring to consular section or visit the consular section for the form. Sometimes it makes life more convenient to have both a passport book and a card, and carry them both on your international travel.
Passport card is also valid for international travel but by land or sea only. If you live in any other country, you must renew your passport at a u. I use my passport for primary id have lost my backup, for which i dont qualify for anymore anyway. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults, and five years for travelers under age 16. So if someone gets sick on a cruise and only has the passport card, they cant fly them home. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue. If you do that they will both have the same number and if one is lost or stolen, the other immediately becomes invalid. Differences between a passport book and passport card. Only one execution fee is charged for an individual applying for both a card and book at the same time. If you are traveling by air or to most countries, you will need a traditional passport book, with pages for your various visas. Its not tied to the validity of your passport book. The us passport card is a small passport card, about the size of a credit card, that contains your photo and identifying information. 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. I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time.
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. The card has the same period of validity as a passport book. The only thing that confuses me was the mention of submit your most recently issued passport book and or passport card on form ds82 passport renewal by mail and similar wordings such as i can submit my most recent u. The passport card is a wallet side document that will be used to expedite document processing from the u. Expiring passport, or passport has expired in the last 5 years. Your new passport will be sent to you by courier or royal mail. The third space says, most recent passport book or passport card. Us passport books and us passport cards the differences. In such situations, a passport card comes in handy because it is the size of a credit card and fits nicely in a wallet. But the passport book that most americans are familiar with isnt the only kind. Passport card is wallet sized document while passport book size is 5. The number of the passport card can be found on both the front and the back of the card. If your most recent passport book and or passport card was issued less than 15 years ago and you were over 16 years old at the time of issuance, you may be eligible to use form ds82. Your passport book allows you to travel by land, by sea, or by air.
I know there used to be info on this somewhere, but i cant find it. Most travelers are familiar with acquiring and using a passport book, as its required. Passport card vs passport book canada immigration forum. Adding pages used to be free, but since 2012 i think, they make you pay 82 dollars for a few paper pages. Travel articles do you need a passport or a passport card. 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 and or mexicothe card gets you through quicker in those situations. Most travel wallets are made to merely hold your passport and dont.
You may be able to apply for a passport card without submitting your passport book. Travelbuzz applying for passport card wo giving up passport book. In a passport book, this can be found at the top of the personal information page. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. When you apply for a passport card, youll spend less money than you would when. I f youve wondered what the difference is between a passport book and a passport card, youve come to the right place. A passport book is the official book style document that allows a us citizen to travel internationally by land, sea or air. Most passports and passport cards are valid for ten years from the date of issue.
We provide overnight passport renewal so you can renew your expired, or expiring passport in a hurry. A passport card is cheaper than a passport book, but cant be used for air. Aug 18, 2016 one is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. Sending a photo that doesnt meet the standards could drastically delay your renewal. A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land sea. A passport book provides valid identification for any national or international travel. These documents prove your united states citizenship and they expire 10 years after being issued.
S citizens that want to travel by land or sea to canada, mexico, and the caribbean. A certified copy of your marriage certificate or court order if your name has changed. I am going to the bahamas in june, and need a passport, when i went to apply online, they gave me all three options, with the same criteria for each option, and no explantion of the difference between them. Do i need a passport book, passport card, or passport book and card. Question for those who applied for the passport book and. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. One instance could be, if you want to travel to jamaica, youll need a passport book. 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. Passport type passport book passport card passport book and card passport book passport card passport book and card application fee payable to dept. If he was under 16 when his last passport card was issued, hes going to have to go through the procedure. You must complete all pages of the form and sign and date it. When our older son was a baby, us passport cards hadnt yet been introduced. Today, my husband and i applied for our new babys first passport, and we made sure to request that he be issued both a passport book and a passport card.
Oct 16, 2017 the passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. Can i renew my passport book to get a passport card and a name change. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card. I bet they will tell me to get the book but i think i will ask anyhow. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. Vip passports and visa services united states passport agency specializes in american passports, us passports, passport renewals, passport applications, passports forms, birth certificates, notary services, visas, and passports in less than 24 hours. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport. 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. Residents are required to fill out a passport application in utah if they wish to cross country borders. Your new passport card will be valid for 10 years from the date that it is issued. Aug 10, 2012 a passport book is bigger than a passport card. 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.
Also, if you get a passport card separately from your passport, it has a different number and expiration date also costs a bit more. First of all, a passport card can be used for travel by sea to barbados. What is the difference between a passport book and passport card. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. The biggest difference between a passport book and passport card is that. You are using the same name as in your most recent passport book andor u. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. Sherry housley and her daughter whitney had planned to to take a motherdaughter vacation by the ocean in cozumel, mexico. Should i get a passport card to go along with my passport. Passport card cannot be used for international air travel. The traditional passport book is still required for most travel purposes. Did you know the term passport can actually refer to two different documents a passport book and a passport card.
One recent 2 x 2 passport photo for each applicant a. Your most recent passport has not been lost, stolen, mutilated, or damaged. I have entered my full name and the date issued in the other 2 blocks. If you already only have the passport book, you can get the passport card as well when you apply for your next passport renewal. Minors under the age of 16 must appear with both parents. Both come with an electronic chip which assigns a number thats read from a distance by u. Customers will now have the option to apply for a passport book, a passport card, or both on the new ds11, ds82 and ds5504 forms. Passport renewal application for eligible individuals.
Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. The ds11 form contains this text applicable to us citizens who were born in the us. Most libraries and clerks of court are not accepting u. My passport was issued to me when i was 17 years old and. When you apply for a new passport, should you get a passport book or passport card. Getting your us passport as easily and quickly as possible. If i have both a passport card and a passport book, do i. The walletsize passport card is convenient and less expensive than the passport book. A passport card provides valid identification for national travel, but only provides valid identification for certain types of international travel. Both documents have a validity of 10 years for adults 16 or older and 5 years for minors under the age of 16. If you lose one or the other then both do not have to be replaced at the same time. The last part states most recent passport book or passport card.
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