As passport books allows more activities as compare to passport card so they tend to cost more as well. Apply for a passport card united states department of state. 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 card is not a globally recognized travel document like the traditional u. There are even certain situations where a credit card is essential, like many car rental businesses an.
Feb 12, 2019 a passport book is a product of the federal government. Please select the document s for which you are applying. You will need a passport book if you plan to travel by airplane. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is not requried that you obtain both. The difference between passport and passport card us. While the passport card is permissible for a cruise, you may want to reconsider getting the card over the book. Valid for travel via land or sea to and from the united states, canada, mexico, bermuda and the caribbean.
Differences between a passport book and passport card. Adults enjoy a validity of ten years while minors under age sixteen enjoy a validity of five years. When applying for a passport, you need the appropriate documentation and cu. Passport books are larger than cards and come with many pages for customs stamps. To begin with, passport cards can not be used for air travel. Applicants must provide documents which attest to their u. Here we will look at what exactly a credit card is, what the benefits and detriments to having one are, what firstt. A prepaid card is a great gift for yourself or someone else. Excellent form of official identification for children or nondrivers. This service is not available for passport card applicants. The real difference between a us passport book vs passport card. We compare the two to help you decide which type of id is best for you. Passport card is wallet sized document while passport book size is 5.
There are so many credit cards available today that it can be hard to sort through them all to find the one for your needs. Jul 31, 2008 the passport card facilitates entry and expedites document processing at u. Passport cards are cheaper than passport books, and theyre also valid for 10 years. A us passport allows you to travel anywhere in the world by plane, car, or boat. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. However, people find a passport card more convenient and accessible when carrying. So, given the differences between a passport book vs passport card, which one is right for you. Cost for new applicants of passport book and passport card. Only available for passport book applicants in the united states not canada. Unlike the passport book, the rfid chip in the passport card is designed to be readable at a greater distance, allowing border agents to access traveler information. They let you travel to canada, mexico, bermuda, and the caribbean by land and sea.
Passport card has limited use for certain travelers, the u. When closed, the size of the passport book will be of 5 x 3. The biggest difference between a passport book and passport card is that passport cards are only valid to enter canada, mexico, bermuda, and. S citizen, you also get government issued documents. There are, however, some key differences that need to be considered. Passport books are generally more convenient than passport cards, because they allow you to travel internationally without any worry of. The passport card was designed for the specific needs of northern and southern u. Passport books and cards are alternatives to a stateissued id. If you need to travel internationally, you must have a passport book. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. The difference with using a debit card, though, is that the money you spend with a debit card is yours. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. Otherwise, it carries the rights and privileges of the u.
The difference between passport books and passport cards. Firsttime passport applicants, as well as minor children, must apply for passports in person. While the passport card is more convenient due to its size, it is far more restricted in use than the passport book. For children age 15 and under, the passport is valid for 5 years and for adults 16 and older it is valid for 10 years. 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. A passport card also might be pretty useful for alaska cruises, on condition that all border. The passport book comes as either 28 or 52 pages and is valid for five years. You can live and work anywhere, but you can also travel anywhere. A passport card is cheaper than a passport book, but cant be used for air travel and is only valid in canada, mexico, bermuda, and the caribbean.
Dec 28, 2019 similarities between the passport book and passport card. They are both valid for 10 years for persons older than 16 years of age and valid for 5 years for those younger. Us passport books and us passport cards the differences. The card is made from plastic and contains your information and picture. What is the differences between passport book vs passport card.
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. The passport card shares the same validity period as the 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. Each has different form factors, and purposes for using. If youre thinking of going on a cruise, the passport card might be nice when you need a from of identification to get on and off the ship. For instance, if there is a medical or family emergency, you will not be able to fly out of the country to return home. Here are more tips and information about how to best use a prepaid c. It says i need to submit both documents at the same time if im renewing both, but doesnt say if it s required to renew them at the same time. However, if youre considering a passport book vs passport card, just get both. The first is when you need to renew your book or card passport. Difference between a passport book and passport card. The us passport card is less expensive to get then passport book, and is.
Passport cards are only for land or sea travel, which means you cannot use them for air travel. The passport book will cover you wherever you decide to go. To date, more than 17 million passport cards have been issued, according to the state department, representing about 10 percent of all passport holders. What is a passport card, and what should you know when youre considering a passport book vs. Be the first to discover secret destinations, travel hacks, and more. The passport book has plenty of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps, while the passport card is a onepiece creditcardsized id card. Entering the united states at land border crossings and sea portsofentry from. A passport book is a product of the federal government. While most countries in the world issue one passport for national and international travel, the. Types of us passport books get your passport book today.
So you should be able to renew your passport book now by mail, and renew your passport card by mail later. The main difference is that passport books are valid for international. The difference between a passport book or card getaway usa. Minors under 16 will need to renew their passport every 5 years. A passport book is valid for all types of travel land, sea or air to any destination. The passport card is a fully valid passport that attests to the u. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. Its just like having cash in your wallet, but its also used like a credit card, so it needs to be kept safe. Difference between passport book and passport card. Not only do they look different, they serve slightly different purposes.
Below is a brief, noncomprehensive cost breakdown of each option. If you can submit a passport book, but you lost your passport card, you cannot renew the passport card using form ds82. You can just slip it in your wallet, right behind your drivers license. In fact, an airline cant let you board an international flight if you dont have a valid passport. The passport card is only valid for land and sea travel to canada, mexico, and the caribbean. Passport cards are also only valid in mexico, bermuda, canada and the caribbean. Like the book, passport cards are good for 10 years if you are 16 or older. The result of an application is mostly based on your credit score, although other factors are. Therefore, youll need to find a passport office, provide proof of identity and citizenship and fill out an application. The passport book is the only document approved for international air travel. Whether you are looking to apply for a new credit card or are just starting out, there are a few things to know beforehand. If you are a traveler who is on tight budgets, who s cruise round trip from the us and not planning to leave the country via air, then it would be costefficient and convenient to just have a us passport card with you.
A traditional passport book comes with pages for stamps and important documents to be. Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. The us passport card cannot be used for any international air travel, but if you travel frequently to mexico, the caribbean, bermuda, and canada by land or water, the us passport card can actually make more sense than a passport book. That means you cannot use the passport card for air travel. There is also a difference in price between passport books and passport cards. Nov 20, 2017 a passport card allows significantly fewer opportunities for the holder to travel, but often it s enough for some. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. Passport cards are wallet sized while the passport book is larger and thicker. But given the card s restrictions, does it even make sense for a u. How passport books and passport cards are the same. Both a passport card or a passport book is a valid form of identification for domestic cruises.
Both the book and the card are equally valid as proof of identity and citizenship, and can be used for domestic air travel. Jan 11, 2019 the passport card is only accepted at land and sea border crossings between the u. As such, the passport card is adjudicated to the exact standards as the passport book. Passport book lets you travel by air internationally, but the card doesnt. 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. Passport card is also valid for international travel but by land or sea only. The walletsized passport card is designed to be more convenient and less cumbersome than regular passports. Below is a handy list of pros and cons to help you decide.
When you apply for a passport card, youll spend less money than you would when applying for a passport book. Passport books can be accepted in any country unless theyve barred us citizens from entry, like north korea, and are valid for visa applications, while a passport card can only be used to enter countries by land or sea. Additionally, pricing sets these two options apart, with a passport book costing more than twice as much as a card. State department issues two versions of a passport. Comparing a passport book vs passport card concerning validity presents the same information. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv.
A passport book is valid for all types of travel land. The cost also depends on the age of holder adults pay more than minors but it costs the same amount to renew them. Jun 20, 2019 passport book is valid for international travel by air, sea, or land. Depending on where you are traveling outside of the u. Department of state recommends the passport book as it is more versatile. If you are looking for a no annual fee credit card, one of these visa credit cards may be the perfect fit. Nov 22, 2019 the cost between passport book vs passport card. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. Apply for a passport card department of state travel.
Credit cards allow for a greater degree of financial flexibility than debit cards, and can be a useful tool to build your credit history. Difference between passport book and passport card compare. What is the differences between passport book vs passport. Passport card vs passport book difference between passport.
This includes id cards, driver s license, and passport for travel. If your vacation or business plans take you out of the united states, you need a passport to travel. The real difference between a us passport book vs passport. The us passport card is less expensive to get then passport book, and is much smaller. Passport card was designed for the specific needs of the traveler between the northern and southern borders of the united states. A passport card is less expensive than a traditional passport book.
This document proves your citizenship, holds visas issued to you by other countries and lets you reenter the u. Expedited processing of two weeks available for additional fee. 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. Although there are many differences between a us card and book style passport, there are also some similarities. 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. The passport card is also commonly used for travelers that wish to take a cruise but do not plan on ever traveling by plane.
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