Passport book or card which do i need

What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. The passport book is a real passport, and allows you to fly internationally. A passport card is cheaper than a passport book, but cant be used for air travel and. To enter the united states at land border crossings or sea portsofentry from canada, mexico, the. You may request a larger passport book with 52 pages for your child, at no additional cost, by checking the 52 page box at. If theres the slightest possibility that youre going to travel by air in the next 10 years, it would be better if you simply obtain the passport book. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. Please contact npic if you do not receive the second or third mailing within 10 business days of the previous mailing.

If you have a passport book and you are eligible to use form ds82, you may apply for a passport card as a renewal by mail even if it is your first passport card. They are valid for five years from the date of issue, just like a minor passport book. Is a question frequently asked by our readers if you are traveling to mexico, canada, and the caribbean as a u. How to apply for a new passport card rush my passport. If im remembering correctly, you can use your passport card when travelling by land or sea. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. Not only do they seem different, they serve different functions. I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time. You can apply by mail using form ds82 if you have a passport book or card that.

However, depending on where youre travelling, you might be ok with just the card. Well help you determine whether you want or need to pay extra for the passport card. The passport book comes as either 28 or 52 pages and is valid for five years. In fact, on the ds11 application to renew or get a passport, at the top you can select whether you are applying for a passport book with pages for foreign visa entryexit stamps, visas, etc. Do i need a passport book, passport card, or passport book. Read on to learn how you can apply for your passport card and lighten your load for your next journey. You will need to fill in an official form and present identification and proof of citizenship. If you already have a passport book or passport card, you can renew by mail using. Passport cards are wallet sized while the passport book is larger and thicker.

In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. A passport book is required for all international travel by air. A us passport card can only be used for land and sea travel to canada, mexico or the caribbean. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults, and five years for travelers under age 16. Differences between passport books and passport cards. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. Travel articles do you need a passport or a passport card. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. How do you know if you need a passport book versus passport card. Passport cards are particularly useful for some people. If you are applying for both a book and a card at the same time, you only need to submit one passport photo. A passport book is a product of the federal government.

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. To protect yourself against emergency situations, go with a passport book, which covers all international travel by air, sea or land. To enter canada, your passport book or card must be valid at the time of entry. 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. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. 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. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. If you can submit a passport book, but you lost your passport card, you cannot. Well clear that up in the article below, and give you a couple good reasons why you may want to have both at the same time. The passport book is the most common passport to carry. If youre applying for a passport card for the first time, youll want to find a passport. One question we see a lot online is what is a passport card. Ed perkins a nationally recognized reporter, writer, and consumer advocate, ed perkins focuses on how travelers can find the best deals and avoid.

A nexus card is all you need for proof of citizenship when you cross the uscanadian border by land or by sea. While us passport books can be accepted in any country with the proper visa unless theyve specifically barred americans from entry, a. However, before you apply for a new passport card, consider carefully whether or not you might be better off getting a us passport book. So youre looking to travel internationally but there are these options between a passport vs passport card. You can apply for a passport book, a passport card, or both documents. Passport cards are valid for land and sea travel to and from canada, mexico and the countries of the caribbean. The passport card is only valid for entry into the united states at land border crossings or sea ports of entry.

Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. In a short period of time, passport services received over 350,000 applications for the passport card. Mar 05, 2018 a passport card is a smaller version of a passport book and fits inside a wallet. The application process for a passport card is very similar to applying for a passport.

If you have a valid passport book, you do not have to get a passport card as well. If youre thinking of going on a cruise, the passport card might be nice when you need. The card is for people who frequently drive across the border but dont intend to. The purpose of the passport book is to allow entry and exit to any country in the world. Aug 10, 2012 a passport card can provide a more convenient, cheaper alternative to carrying your passport book. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport.

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. You can get both, but you can just choose one, depending on what kind of travel you are planning to do. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. However, if youre going on a caribbean cruise departing from the u. If you are applying for a passport, youll need to consider whether to get a passport book or a passport card. Passport photos must be in color and taken within the past six months in front of a white or off.

Passport books and cards are alternatives to a stateissued id. Feb 12, 2019 in this blog post we will discuss the difference between the two documents. You will also need a new passport photo, a completed ds82 if submitting by mail and the application fee. Jan 11, 2019 the passport card is also commonly used for travelers that wish to take a cruise but do not plan on ever traveling by plane.

Do you know the difference between a passport and a passport card. Differences between a passport book and passport card. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. A single 2by2inch passport photo must be submitted with each application. Nowadays, its best to carry a valid passport any time you leave the country.

Sometimes it makes life more convenient to have both a passport book and a card, and carry them both on your international travel. 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. And while this story is unfortunate, to be sure, its not the first time there has been a mixup over what a u. However, if youd like to get a passport card still, you can apply by completing the ds82 passport renewal form. If you have a us passport book, there really is no need to get the passport card. Depending on where you are traveling outside of the u.

For canada crossings, nexus card no longer beats a us passport. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card. Passport books, which are more common, are bigger and have a lot of blank pages used for departure and arrival stamps and visa stickers. You can apply for a us passport card by mail if you already have a us passport book and eligible to use form ds82. If youre renewing your passport book and passport card, you must submit both documents. It can also be used for domestic air travel in the usa.

The passport book has plenty of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps, while the passport card is a onepiece creditcardsized id card. For air travel, you do need a passport, but having a nexus card will generally get you through the airport more quickly. When you get ready to renew your passport, make sure you have the actual physical book or card. The passport publication has lots of pages for arrivaldeparture stamps and visas, while the passport card is a id card. Here are more details about how to apply for a passport card. Find a passport application acceptance facility card. You can use form ds82 to renew your passport book at the same time that your apply for your passport card. 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. If you already hold a passport book, your card will be issued with a different number. Jun, 2019 how to get a us passport book first time.

Jul 26, 2019 unfortunately, you cannot upgrade your passport card to a passport book. My passport was issued to me when i was 17 years old and now 10 years later i believe i am eligible to renew it. If you already have a valid us passport book, then it is not required to also have a passport card to travel internationally. Similar to a drivers license, a passport card is made of plastic material and something that you can easily put in your wallet.