Basically, i plan to keep my passport book in a secure location unless i am crossing an international border where i am required to present it to the border. The book covers all the international requirements you need and there are no travel restrictions. The primary justification i had for doing so was tha. The purpose of the passport card is for travelers that are going to canada, mexico, or the caribbean by land or by sea. 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. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport.
If you lose your passport book you still have your passport card and vice versa. Whats the difference between a passport book and 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. A passport card is cheaper than a passport book, but cant be used for air travel and. I will be needing to get a passport book within the next couple of years so i can travel to barbados. Passport cards are particularly useful for some people.
Does a passport card work to go to canada by train. If you do not meet the requirements for renewal by. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card. It is smaller and more convenient to carry than a passport book, and it is less expensive to obtain. If you already hold a passport book, your card will be issued with a different number. Travelers visiting mexico by way of land or sea crossings can apply for a walletsized passport card, or pass card. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. Even if you are traveling by land or by sea, its a good idea to use a passport book in. However, you have options beyond a passport if you do not have one in your possession. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is not requried that you obtain both. If you are traveling on to europe, youll need a passport with at least three months of remaining validity from. However, before you apply for a new passport card, consider carefully whether or not you might be better off getting a us passport book.
But, when you refer to a passport for international. In order to apply for your first passport card, youll need the same documentation you need to apply for a passport book. Because although you can cruise with just a passport card, you cant fly anywhere internationally with. 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. Adult passports are valid for 10 years and may be renewed by mail. Do you know the difference between a passport and a passport card. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults, and five years for travelers under age 16. Please note if you have a passport that is valid for 10 years, you do not need to renew your. How to apply for a new passport card rush my passport. Although cruise passport requirements vary depending on where youll be sailing, you will usually need either a passport card or a passport book.
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. In a short period of time, passport services received over 350,000 applications for the passport card. Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages. If you still got any questions about whether you need a passport book or card, please contact travel visa pro. Both the passport book and passport card serve as proof of your u. But you should consider what will happen if you miss the boat and need to take a flight to catch up with it. Below is a handy list of pros and cons to help you decide. Select both and you will pay additional fees for the passport book and passport card. However, depending on where youre travelling, you might be ok with just the card. Youll use the same form that you would use to apply for a passport bookeither a ds11 or ds82. 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.
The state departments website offers complete details and an online application form. Most travelers are familiar with acquiring and using a passport book, as its required for international air travel. I have a passport card, but also need a passport book for overseas. If you plan to travel by air or wish to visit a country other than canada, mexico, bermuda or one of the other caribbean island nations, you should apply. It can also be used for domestic air travel in the usa. Its less expensive than a passport book, and more portable. I currently have a passport card that was issued in june 2009. A passport book is valid for all types of travel land, sea or air to any destination. While the passport card is more convenient due to its size, it is far more restricted in use than the passport book. If you are applying for both a book and a card at the. Learn more on our covid19 update page and our frequently asked questions page.
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. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to barbados. 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. Do you need a passport to go to mexico explorando baja. You wont be able to use a passport card for air travel to or from the island. There is no reason to ever get a passport card, unless you only travel to canada, mexico or caribbean. If you plan on flying, boating or driving to mexico, you can apply for a small passport or a pass card. You will also need a new passport photo, a completed ds82 if submitting by mail and the application fee. If you are applying for a passport, youll need to consider whether to get a passport book or a 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. 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. Travel articles do you need a passport or a passport card. If you already have a passport or if you are renewing your passport card, you might be able to submit your application by mail.
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. Unless you have a lifeordeath emergency, you should wait until normal operations resume to apply for or renew. If you have a valid passport book, you do not have to get a passport card as well. Should i get a passport card to go along with my passport. The passport book is a real passport, and allows you to fly internationally. You need a passport book, as the passport card wont cut it. June 3, 2014 by travel maestro leave a comment johns u. Does anyone know if the usa passport card can be used for entry in to the dominican republic or does a visitor need the book. But, the passport card can only be used for international travel by land and sea. What is the difference between a passport book and. You can mail your renewal application directly to the state department yourself. The passport book is designed with heavy travel in mind.
A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. When you get ready to renew your passport, make sure you have the actual physical book or card. But given the cards restrictions, does it even make sense for a u. Passport operations in response to covid19 because of public health measures to prevent the spread of covid19, effective march 20, we have limited u. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. Passport cards are wallet sized while the passport book is larger and thicker. You can use this creditcardsized document to reenter the united states from mexico, canada, bermuda and the caribbean when traveling by land or sea. The passport card is designed to be a less expensive and more portable alternative to the passport book. Unless you have a lifeordeath emergency, you should wait to apply for or renew your passport until we resume normal operations. Both passport books and cards are valid for 10 years. The following chart will give you a quick overview of.
I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time. If you miss your ship or have an emergency and need to fly home, the card will do you no good. You cannot use the passport card for international air travel, nor can you use it for travel to other international destinations. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one.
To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to. This case is an unfortunate example of what can go wrong if you decide to cruise with just a passport card. What is a passport card, and what should you know when youre considering a passport book vs. They are valid for five years from the date of issue, just like a minor passport book. However, if you get a passport card, it cannot be used for travel by air. A us passport card can only be used for land and sea travel to canada, mexico or the caribbean. Whether you need a passport book or card for your travels, come on down to the nearest travel visa pro to discuss your options. Differences between a passport book and passport card. If im remembering correctly, you can use your passport card when travelling by land or sea.
A passport book is required for all international travel by air. If you do have the book and travel frequently between through the boarders of canada and mexico or on ships to bermuda, mexico, and the caribbean, you might want to consider applying for both when renewing your passport. Because of public health measures to prevent the spread of covid19, effective march 20, we have limited u. You can apply by mail using form ds82 if you have a passport book or card that. 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. 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. The card is for people who frequently drive across the border but dont intend to fly. The passport card is a wallet side document that will be used to expedite document processing from the u.
The passport card has benefits, but does not offer the same list of privileges as a traditional passport. If you have a us passport book, there really is no need to get the passport card. It is imperative to understand what the is the difference between a passport book vs card. On the form, you indicate that youre applying for a passport card by checking the appropriate. However, if youre going on a caribbean cruise departing from the u. Depending on where you are traveling outside of the u.
If you already hold a valid passport book, you may apply for a passport card by mail with form ds82. Of the internal pages, 17 are blank pages marked visas that are meant for travel visas and country entry and exit stamps. Although not required on closed loop sailings, which call at foreign ports but sail roundtrip from the u. You cannot use the passport book for international flights. 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. 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 not use it for air travel or for travel to other. You should know there are restrictions on a passport card. Do i need a passport book, passport card, or passport book. Ed perkins a nationally recognized reporter, writer, and consumer advocate, ed perkins focuses on. However, it is possible to damage a passport book so its best to carry a passport protector or wallet to keep it safe. To date, more than 17 million passport cards have been issued, according to the state department, representing about 10 percent of all passport holders.
You can use your passport card for travel by land or sea to and from canada, mexico, bermuda and the caribbean. If you fly to jamaica, a passport book is the only acceptable form of identification, despite jamaicas membership of the western hemisphere travel initiative. Passport requirements for travel to jamaica getaway usa. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. Unfortunately, there are no exceptions, even for children. To enter the united states at land border crossings or sea portsofentry from canada, mexico, the. Whats the difference between a passport book and a.
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