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. However, if youd like to get a passport card still, you can apply by completing the ds82 passport renewal form. In order to apply for a passport book by mail, your current passport must. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. Is there any reason i should get a us passport card in. Can you upgrade to a passport book if you already have a. Also, it must be less than 15 years since it was issued, and if your name has changed in the interim, you need official documentation of the. Anyone who will travel internationally by air must have a passport book. Jul 26, 2019 unfortunately, you cannot upgrade your passport card to a passport book.
Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages. Passport cards are easier to carry than a passport book and they have some hidden benefits. If you have a valid passport book, you do not have to get a passport card as well. A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book.
What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. To break it down simply, heres everything a card will cover on its own without the book. If you have a passport card and you are eligible to use form ds82. Sometimes it makes life more convenient to have both a passport book and a card, and carry them both on your international travel. If you already have a passport book, you might be able to apply for your very first passport card by mail. Department of state passport services recently began issuing the passport card as an alternative to the traditional passport book.
Whats a passport card, and can it replace a real id. 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. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. It is intended to be used in place of the standard u. 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. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. 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. Generally speaking, when someone is thinking about a passport, chances are good that they are thinking about a passport book. 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. If you are applying for both a book and a card at the same time, you only need to submit one passport photo.
If you are applying for a passport, youll need to consider whether to get a passport book or a 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. First of all, the passport book contains many pages designated for visa stickers and stamps, while the passport card, on the other hand, is a credit card like id. I will be needing to get a passport book within the next couple of years so i can travel to barbados. If i already have a passport book, can i use the ds82 to get a passport card. 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.
They are valid for five years from the date of issue, just like a minor passport book. If you already have a passport book or passport card, you can renew by mail using form. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults, and five years for travelers under age 16. Entering the us from the caribbean via land border crossings and sea ports. The passport card will match the expiry date of your passport book, if you have less than 5 years validity remaining. Entering the us from mexico via land border crossings and sea ports. You can renewapply using form ds82 if you have a passport card that.
A passport book is required for all international travel by air. Mar 18, 2020 the passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. 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. 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. Applying for a passport card by mail will take up to 8 weeks. Which one you must get completely depends on how you are going to travel and how much you. Choose the passport service you need, along with the number of adults and minors who need appointments. However, a passport card is only a valid form of id for travel within the u. You cannot use a passport card when traveling by air internationally.
If you have a passport card and you are eligible to use form ds82, you may apply for a passport book as a renewal even if it is your first passport book. Unfortunately, you cannot upgrade your passport card to a passport book. When you apply for a passport card, youll spend less money than you would when. Aug 10, 2012 complete your passport card application. The first section requests personal information such as full name, date of birth, place of birth, gender, social security number, email address, primary contact phone number and mailing address. Consumers also have the option of obtaining both a passport card and a regular passport. In a short period of time, passport services received over 350,000 applications for the passport card. If you already hold a passport book, your card will be issued with a different number. 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. Apr 15, 2019 i currently have a passport card and never hard use for it but not to sure if i should apply for a passport book. The passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. Aug 10, 2012 a passport book is bigger than a passport card. Travel articles do you need a passport or a passport card.
Conveniently, both the passport book and the passport card have the same renewal period. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. Nov 04, 2014 conveniently, both the passport book and the passport card have the same renewal period. Firsttime passport card applicants who do not have a passport book traditional. If im remembering correctly, you can use your passport card when travelling by land or sea. How to apply for us passport card when i already have. 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. However, depending on where youre travelling, you might be ok with just the card. I need to renew my passport but i cannot wait 68 weeks. Requirements for passport card applicants who hold a valid passport book your current us passport this must be the actual book, not a photocopy. Passports need a passport apply for a passport card. Ds11 only has options under have you ever had either a passport card book for no, loststolen, or submitted with application.
I have a passport card, but also need a passport book for overseas. Differences between a passport book and passport card. You can search for appointments by location or date. Below is a comparison of the features of the california real idcompliant drivers license, real id identification card, u. You can apply by mail using form ds82 if you have a passport book or card that.
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. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. Depending on where you are traveling outside of the u. Should i get a passport card to go along with my passport. Therefore, a statement is required when applying for a new u. If you have a passport card and you are eligible to use form ds82, you may apply for a passport book as a renewal even if it is your first passport book you can renewapply using form ds82 if you have a passport card that. If you already have a passport book, you do not need a passport card to travel internationally. Passport cards are valid for land and sea travel to and from canada, mexico and the countries of the caribbean. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. If you have not made travel plans and dont have a proof of itinerary, dont. A passport card is a smaller version of a passport book and fits inside a wallet. You must have the original copies of all required documents. If so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card.
There is no reason to ever get a passport card, unless you only travel to canada, mexico or caribbean. What is the difference between a passport book and. If you already have a us passport, you may be able to apply for a new passport card using passport renewal form ds82. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. To enter canada, your passport book or card must be valid at the time of entry.
You can use this creditcardsized document to reenter the united states from mexico, canada, bermuda and the caribbean when traveling by land or sea. Entering the us from canada via land border crossings and sea ports. Ds11 only has options under have you ever had either a passport cardbook for no, loststolen, or submitted with application. 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. 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. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to barbados. First of all, the passport book contains many pages designated for visa stickers and stamps, while the passport card, on the other hand, is a credit cardlike id. Visa, mastercard, diners club international and american express cards are accepted. Department of state statement regarding a lost or stolen. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. Passport card department of foreign affairs and trade. How to apply for a new passport card rush my passport.
I will be needing to get a passport book within the next couple of years so i. 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. To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to. To use this option, your current us passport must be undamaged and in your possession. Post offices that offer passport services have set hours, and youll need to schedule an appointment using the retail customer appointment scheduler. A passport card is a horrible idea because no matter where you are, if you are seriously injured or ill and need to be flown home for medical care you must have a passport to fly international and that would be an international flight. I currently have a passport card and never hard use for it but not to sure if i should apply for a passport book. Sep 17, 2019 you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. The passport card is available to all irish citizens who hold a valid irish passport book. Passport cards are delivered separately from passport books.
Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. It is smaller and more convenient to carry than a passport book, and it is less expensive to obtain. Your passport does not have to be expired for you to renew it. Minor children will need to have their passports renewed every 5 years until they reach 16 years of age. Adults will need to have their passport renewed every 10 years. 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. There is a place to attach your passport photo and input the date about your most recent passport book or passport card. An adult passport card looks similar to a drivers license, and is valid for ten years. 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. If youre not inclined to take the time to get a real id, heres a lesserknown alternative. I currently have a passport card that was issued in june 2009. Please contact npic if you do not receive the second or third mailing within 10 business days of the previous mailing. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. So youve got your passport card, but can you just tuck it into your wallet and call it a day, or do you need that.
This is my opinion and should be taken with a grain of salt, as just that. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. The passport card is only valid for entry into the united states at land border crossings or sea ports of entry. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. Passport application form ds82, completed offline or filled out online at. In order to apply for your first passport card, youll need the same documentation you need to apply for a passport book. 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.
If you want to renew both a valid passport book and passport card, you must submit both documents. You can use this credit card sized document to reenter the united states from mexico, canada, bermuda and the caribbean when traveling by land or sea. 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. If you are traveling on to europe, youll need a passport with at least three months of remaining validity from. The state departments website offers complete details and an online application form.
You may need to make an appointment to apply for your passport card. 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. The passport card is a wallet side document that will be used to expedite document processing from the u. If you are applying for both a book and a card at the. While the passport book allows for full international travel via all methods including flying, it can sometimes b. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book.
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