Do you need a passport book and card

Sometimes it makes life more convenient to have both a passport book and a card, and carry them both on your international travel. If youre traveling by sea, you can use a passport card, enhanced drivers license, nexus, fast or sentri card instead. If you are cruising to bermuda, then you dont necessarily need a u. In this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. A us passport book may be a little more expensive and bulkier, but it can be used to travel anywhere, by any means and is the recommended passport to carry. Differences between a passport book and passport card. However, you have options beyond a passport if you do not have one in your possession. You will be required to submit your expired passport bookcard with your application. 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. Unfortunately, you cannot upgrade your passport card to a passport book. Difference between a passport book and passport card. A passport card is cheaper than a passport book, but cant be used for air travel and. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail.

Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. Passport cards cannot be used for international air travel. Aug 18, 2016 the passport book allows for all travel, by air, land, and sea and youll need the passport book in order to receive a travel visa. If you have a valid passport book, you do not have to get a passport card as well. The passport card is a very handy tool to have in your vital document wallet. When you get ready to renew your passport, make sure you have the actual physical book or 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. If not you should carry your passport book around, but that would be very stressful. State department issues two versions of a passport. However, depending on your method of entry into mexico, you may not need a passport book. The passport book is a real passport, and allows you to fly internationally.

The only exception is that you may use a passport card in order to enter the united states by a land border crossing or at a sea portofentry. If you lose your passport book you still have your passport card and vice versa. The application process depends on whether you need to apply as a. That said, passport cards are very useful forms of identification. Oct 05, 2018 if so, you ve probably noticed the option for a passport card. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. However, it doesnt always make sense to have only the passport card, especially if you plan to travel by plane overseas. If you already hold a passport book, your card will be issued with a different number.

I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. However, if you can be reasonably sure you will only travel by land or sea, or if you only need your passport as another form of identification, then a passport card is. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. The passport book allows for all travel, by air, land, and sea and youll need the passport book in order to receive a travel visa. What is the difference between a passport book and passport card. If im remembering correctly, you can use your passport card when travelling by land or sea. However, it is possible to damage a passport book so its best to carry a passport protector or wallet to keep it safe. If you want to apply for a passport card and currently have a valid traditional passport, you can simply download and file form ds82. If you miss your ship or have an emergency and need to fly home, the card will do you no good. If so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card.

Nov 04, 2014 when you get ready to renew your passport, make sure you have the actual physical book or card. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is not requried that you obtain both. The passport book is designed with heavy travel in mind. That being said, i recently got one simply because it is convenient to use in situations where the passport book is not needed namely, everywhere besides nonneighboring national borders. Feb 12, 2019 you can also apply for the passport book and the passport card at the same time when youre utilizing the ds11 new passport application for new passport. Passport cards are only valid for canada, mexico, and the caribbean. To enter canada, your passport book or card must be valid at the time of entry. 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. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card. A passport book is always required to travel internationally.

If you already hold a valid passport book, you may apply for a passport card by mail with form ds82. The passport card will match the expiry date of your passport book, if you have less than 5 years validity remaining. Depending on where you are traveling outside of the u. If youve never had a us passport before, this article outlines how you go about getting a passport book not passport card for the first time if youre living in the us and are an adult. Although not required on closed loop sailings, which call at foreign ports but sail roundtrip from the u. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. You can use the irish passport card for travel within the european union. If youre planning a trip to any other destination, then you would need a u. 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. After he confirmed that his spouse could cruise with just a passport card, he booked their tropical vacation.

Travel articles do you need a passport or a passport card. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card. Adult passports are valid for 10 years and may be renewed by mail. The passport card is only valid for entry into the united states at land border crossings or sea ports of entry. If you are traveling outside the united states via air travel, you will still need a traditional passport book as a passport card is not valid for air travel. If you need your passport fast, you can expedite your passport application. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. If you got any questions about whether you need a passport book or card, please contact travel visa pro we are always ready to help you. Your passport book would need to be surrendered if the application is made by mail. If you have lost your passport, you may have to show some additional documentation such as a copy of your official birth certificate or other. Please contact npic if you do not receive the second or third mailing within 10 business days of the previous mailing.

The card has the same validity period as a passport book. An adult passport card looks similar to a drivers license, and is valid for ten years. A passport book is required for all international travel by air. 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. Department of state passport services recently began issuing the passport card as an alternative to the traditional passport book. The passport book has plenty of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps, while the passport card is a onepiece creditcardsized id card. 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. We compare the two to help you decide which type of id is best.

When you apply for a passport card, you ll spend less money than you would when. To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to. In a short period of time, passport services received over 350,000 applications for the 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. Aug 10, 2012 a passport book is bigger than a passport card. If you plan on flying, boating or driving to mexico, you can apply for a small passport or a pass card. As the others have said, its really only good as a backup in case you lose the real us passport book. 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 card department of foreign affairs and trade. Jun 03, 2014 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. How to apply for a new passport card rush my passport.

What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. You should know that the passport card is only valid for travel by land and sea within mexico, canada, bermuda, and the caribbean, and you can. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. In conclusion, the passport book versus passport card is important to know. These can range in cost depending on how soon you need it, but overall, it will be less expensive than a passport book and much easier to carry in your. If you are traveling on to europe, you ll need a passport with at least three months of remaining validity from. For these adults with existing passports, consider whether you travel internationally frequently. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. This case is an unfortunate example of what can go wrong if you decide to cruise with just a. The department of state is issuing the passport card in response to the needs of border resident communities for a less expensive and more portable alternative to the traditional passport book. What is the difference between a passport book and passport.

You should always wear identification, so i would suggest bringing your passport its a must and carry you card in your pocket. Should i get a passport card to go along with my passport. Jan 11, 2019 the passport book is designed with heavy travel in mind. Adults who already have a valid passport may use form ds82 to apply by mail or form ds11 to apply in person.

To renew a childs passport bookcard you would need to submit the paperwork via the post office and you will need an appointment to do this. If you have a us passport book, there really is no need to get the passport card. To enter the united states at land border crossings or sea portsofentry from canada, mexico, the. If you do not have a valid passport, you will need to apply for your new passport card with the government in person and you will need to file form ds11. If you are applying for a passport, youll need to consider whether to get a passport book or a passport card. While the passport card is more convenient due to its size, it is far more restricted in use than the passport book. Both passport books and cards are valid for 10 years. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport. Can i apply for the passport card and passport book at the. You do not need a passport to enter the united kingdom, but airlines and. I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time. As it turned out, he was the one in for the unpleasant surprise.

Not only do they look different, they serve slightly different purposes. A passport book is valid for all types of travel land, sea or air to any destination. The us passport card is quite useless in form and substance. The following chart will give you a quick overview of.

You will also need a new passport photo, a completed ds82 if submitting by mail and the application fee. The following chart will give you a quick overview of the passport card versus the passport book. If you re a citizen of the united states, and you re thinking about traveling to mexico, but you dont yet have a passport, you might consider getting a passport card instead of a regular passport book. The card is for people who frequently drive across the border but dont intend to fly. It is a credit cardsized, 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. To enter the dominican republic by air, you need a passport book. Both the passport book and passport card serve as proof of your u. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults, and five years for travelers under age 16. However, depending on where youre travelling, you might be ok with just the card. Jun 02, 2018 if you got any questions about whether you need a passport book or card, please contact travel visa pro we are always ready to help you. You can also apply for the passport book and the passport card at the same time when youre utilizing the ds11 new passport application for new passport. Visa, mastercard, diners club international and american express cards are accepted. Do i need a passport book, passport card, or passport book.

You can mail your renewal application directly to the state department yourself. If you are traveling on to europe, youll need a passport with at least three months of remaining validity from. Try using it for id at the airport when going thru the tsa checkpoints, and youll soon find out. To enter the united states at land border crossings or sea portsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda, you can use a passport book or a passport card.

If youre a citizen of the united states, and youre thinking about traveling to mexico, but you dont yet have a passport, you might consider getting a passport card instead of a regular passport book. Do you need a passport to go to mexico explorando baja. Select both and you will pay additional fees for the passport book and passport card. If you do not meet the requirements for renewal by. The state departments website offers complete details and an online application form. Jun, 2019 if you ve never had a us passport before, this article outlines how you go about getting a passport book not passport card for the first time if you re living in the us and are an adult. Passport cards are particularly useful for some people.