A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land sea. The passport card is only for land and sea travel, which means there is no way travelers can use the passport card to board a plane. In contrast, a passport card is similar in purpose to a passport book but much more limited in scope. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison diffen. I leave my passport book locked up in canada when i drive between the 2 countries and have never had a problem at the border. Passport the application process is the same for either the passport book or card. The us passport card is less expensive to get then passport book, and is much smaller. Passport card department of foreign affairs and trade. The card provides a less expensive, smaller, and more convenient alternative to the u. Passport book the passport book is designed to be used for all types of international travel. The passport book is accepted for any form of international travel and is also the document that holds your visas.
Apply for a passport card bureau of consular affairs us. Difference between a passport book and passport card. Passport books and cards are alternatives to a stateissued id. In this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults, and five years for travelers under age 16. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to barbados. Us passport book vs us passport card us visa connection. Both the passport book and passport card serve as proof of your u. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. Minors under 16 will need to renew their passport every 5 years. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card.
It is smaller and more convenient to carry than a passport book. Passport card is a walletsize travel document that can be used for land or sea travel to canada, mexico, bermuda, and the caribbean whereas a passport book can be used for international travel to all destinations by air, land, or sea. In general, everyone must have a passport book or a regular passport to travel from one country to another. What is the differences between a passport book vs card with additional information and requirement for getting both a card and book. Rush my passport the trusted partner in expedited u. 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 can now apply for a passport book and a passport card. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. There are several options when it comes to forms of identification for travel. They have been available to us citizens since 2008, and are meant to be a convenient way to.
For canada crossings, nexus card no longer beats a us passport. A passport book is valid travel documentation for all international travel. 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. Passport cards are a form of us passport that are the size of a credit card or driver s license.
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. While the passport card is more convenient due to its size, it is far more restricted in use than the passport book. The passport book vs card question is one you may have if you are a firsttime international traveler. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after. The passport card contains a radio frequency identification chip as well as the traditional photograph and personal information found in a passport book. Currently, all citizens of the united states need a one. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their travels abroad. Make sure you understand the current us passport requirement to canada.
Us passport books and us passport cards the differences. Here are the countries and territories where a us passport card is valid. If youre leaving for an international trip, your passport is the one essential item you cant leave home. The passport card is about the size of any credit card, and fits easily into your wallet for frequent travel. Passport book for reentry into the united states from any country. Any us citizen wishing to travel internationally via air must have a passport book. Additional usage of the us passport card under the real id act of 2005, a law passed to combat terrorism, the passport cards are also accepted as bona fide, federally.
If you make infrequent trips between the us and canada andor mexico by land and are not a frequent cruise passenger to the caribbean and you live in a state that provides a real id compliant drivers license yet you travel internationally by plane, it would make sense to get a passport book and not pay the extra money for a passport card. The main difference between a passport card and a passport book other than the physical size and format is that the card can not be used for any international travel by air. The passport card is available to all irish citizens who hold a valid irish passport book. A passport book functions in all ways a passport card is used and there is no need to obtain a passport card if. Passport book vs passport card norwegian cruise line. What is the differences between passport book vs passport. Our fees listed on this page are for those applying for or renewing their passport in the united states and renewing by mail from canada. In addition to a regular passport, the passport book, u. Department of state, is compliant to the standards for identity documents set by the real id.
The us passport card is a credit card sized identification document. The passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. If you apply for a passport card it will be issued valid for 10 years regardless of the expiration date of your passport book. A passport book is valid for all types of travel land, sea or air to any destination. 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. Like the book, passport cards are good for 10 years if you are 16 or older. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a passport book.
They can be used for land or sea travel to canada, mexico, bermuda. I currently have a passport card that was issued in june 2009. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. The passport book is designed with heavy travel in mind. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. Be aware of the fact that a passport card is only valid. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. An adult applying for a us passport renewal or firsttime passport can receive a card valid for ten years. Enhanced drivers license many people may not know but depending on the state that you live in a third.
Both of these documents give you the ability to travel outside of the country. They have been available to us citizens since 2008, and are meant to be a convenient way to prove your identity and citizenship. A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air. Differences between a passport book and passport card. The difference between passport and passport card us. 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. Passport card for a reduced fee if you only plan to travel by. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. Passport is a document providing national identity and identification of an individual. Adults who already have a fully valid passport book may apply for the card as a passport renewal. Passport card is a walletsize travel document that can only be used to reenter the united states at land bordercrossings or sea portsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. Passport books are generally more convenient than passport cards.
All international air travel for us passport holders, regardless of origin or destination airport, must be accompanied by a valid us passport book. The card provides a smaller, more convenient, and less expensive alternative to the passport book. Whether you get the passport book card both are valid for 10 years. What is the difference between a passport and a passport. Passport book is a globally recognized travel document while passport card is not a globally recognized document. However, it is possible to damage a passport book so its best to carry a passport protector or wallet to keep it safe. Your personal details must be an exact match of the details that appear in your passport book. Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. Difference between passport book and passport card. The us passport book vs passport card salon prive mag. A passport card is cheaper to get but is only valid for travel to canada, mexico and the caribbean islands. The us passport book vs passport card debate has many of us confused as to which one we should apply. This is perhaps unsurprising, seeing as how a passport card lacks the blank pages of. It was designed for people who travel frequently between the us and canada, mexico, bermuda or the caribbean by land or sea.
470 1275 296 1546 915 1402 542 945 371 476 446 896 848 735 488 710 1024 813 1281 1064 1470 12 439 808 1088 1369 266 589 789 491 526 100 1047 1426 1278 798 729 51 326