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 for a passport book instead. You can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. A passport card does not count as a second passport. However, people find a passport card more convenient and accessible when carrying. The passport book and the passport card have the same validity which is 10 years for children 15 years old or younger, the validity is only 5 years. Aside from the size, a passport book and a passport card difference is that the latter cannot be used when traveling abroad via air, the passport book is required. It can also be used for domestic air travel in the usa. The card cant be used for international air travel. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. You cannot use the passport card for international air travel, nor can you use it for travel to other international destinations.
Use the passport book to get the passport card, keeping the book in my possession. These rules do not apply to cruises roundtrip from san juan, puerto rico, as the island is a u. Fill out the application using a black ink pen or use the state department online tool to fill out the application, and select passport card. Passport the application process is the same for either the passport book or card, even if you want both at the same time. You can use form ds82 to renew your passport book at the same time you apply for your first passport card. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. When you apply for a passport card, youll spend less money than you would when. A passport book is required for all international travel by air.
To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to. However, before you apply for a new passport card, consider carefully whether or not you might be better off getting a us passport book. All passport cards will be mailed using first class mail only. A previous passport book holder, eligible to use form ds82 use form filler may apply for a passport card as a renewal. May, 2019 in this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time. The card cannot be used for international air travel. You can use this creditcardsized document to reenter the united states from mexico, canada, bermuda and the caribbean when traveling by land or sea. Passport card faq get answers to your passport card questions.
In an effort to assist our visitors in obtaining the information they need as. You cannot use a passport card on cruises from international homeports. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. Passport cards are particularly useful for some people. Aug 10, 2012 a passport book is bigger than a passport card. 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. Us passport book and passport card online application. Due to this growth, more and more questions are sent to use about this travel document. The passport card facilitates entry and expedites document processing at u. Read on to learn how you can apply for your passport card and lighten your load for your next journey. Unfortunately, you cannot upgrade your passport card to a passport book.
It can be used for travel to 31 countries in the european union eu and european economic area eea plus switzerland. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. If im remembering correctly, you can use your passport card when travelling by land or sea. 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. 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. Applying for a passport card by mail will take up to 8 weeks. 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 use your passport card for travel by land or sea to and from canada, mexico, bermuda and the caribbean. The passport card is available to all irish citizens who hold a valid irish passport book. Your personal details must be an exact match of the details that appear in your passport book. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. A passport card is a smaller version of a passport book and fits inside a wallet. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane.
Getting your us passport as easily and quickly as possible. For adults 16 and older, you can use form ds82 to renew your passport book at the same time you apply for your first passport card. On the form, you indicate that youre applying for a passport card by checking the appropriate box. Reasons to get a passport book or card a passport card and book are both considered us passports. 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. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. If you are traveling on to europe, youll need a passport with at least three months of remaining validity from. Passport, and those not eligible to use the ds82, should apply for a passport card using form ds11.
Otherwise, it carries the rights and privileges of the u. Can i renew my usa passport book and passport card separately. 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. Save yourself hassle with expedited passport services if you dont have the time or patience for applying for your u. State departments website, but you should also call ahead to. Passport cards are delivered separately from passport books. A previous passport book holder who is eligible to use form ds82 may apply for a passport card as a renewal. Apr 21, 2016 youll use the same form that you would use to apply for a passport bookeither a ds11 or ds82. Differences between a passport book and passport card. The card has the same period of validity as a passport book. A passport card can be used to enter the us states at land border crossing or seaportsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda.
I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. It is intended to be used in place of the standard u. The passport book is the only document approved for international travel by air. You can use form ds82 to renew your passport book at the same time you apply for your first. How to apply for a us passport 2020 get a us passport in five easy steps. The passport card shares the same validity period as the passport book. For more information view our passport first time issuances and renewal instructions. The passport book is valid for all types of travel. If you have a passport card and you are eligible to use form ds82. There are several options when it comes to forms of identification for travel. 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. A passport card can provide a more convenient, cheaper alternative to carrying your passport book.
A us passport card can only be used for land and sea travel to canada, mexico or the caribbean. While customers rarely have two passport books, they commonly have both a passport book and a passport card. However, depending on where youre travelling, you might be ok with just the card. 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. They are valid for five years from the date of issue, just like a minor passport book. Applying for passport card wo giving up passport book. If youre applying for a passport card for the first time, youll want to find a passport. The irish passport card is a travel document that irish citizens can use for certain travel instead of the standard passport book. Mar 18, 2020 the passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. Your full name on the passport book may be truncated to match the passport card due to limited space available on the passport card. The first step in obtaining a passport card is downloading and filling out the ds11 form.
How to apply for a new passport card rush my passport. 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. Youll use the same form that you would use to apply for a passport bookeither a ds11 or ds82. The passport card was designed for specific needs of northern and southern u. 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.
If any of the following apply to you, you may want to obtain a passport card. A us passport card is used as a federal id and is only good for travel to canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at land border crossings or sea portsofentry and is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. To enter canada, your passport book or card must be valid at the time of entry. A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport. State departments website, but you should also call ahead to find out if they require appointments. You cannot use a passport card when traveling by air internationally. The passport card is designed for the specific needs of the northern and southern border resident communities and is not a globally interoperable travel document as is the traditional passport book. I have a passport card, but also need a passport book for overseas. A previous passport book holder, eligible to use form ds82, may apply for a passport card as a renewal. The passport card cannot be used for international air travel.
In this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. Passport card may be used to enter the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at land border crossings or sea portsofentry and is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. You must have the original copies of all required documents. Passport cards are valid for land and sea travel to and from canada, mexico and the countries of the caribbean. Agent that you are using an expediting service to hand carry your passport application to the. Passport, and those not eligible to use the ds82, should apply for a passport card using a printed online application form ds11 use form filler. Find a period of time when im not going to be traveling internationally and apply for the renewal book, using the card as id for domestic trips in the interim. Passport cards requested by mail are always shipped back. Find a passport application acceptance facility card. You cannot use the passport card for international air travel, even when you reenter the.
The passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. While the passport card has limited use, the passport book will remain the premier internationally accepted travel document. We do not use 12 day delivery services for passport cards. 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. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air. If none of these apply to you, then you must apply for a passport in person. All you have to do is mark the passport application to show you are requesting both the passport book and passport card.
The primary justification i had for doing so was tha. Passport, and those not eligible to use the form ds82, should apply for a passport card using form ds11. We only issue second passport books not second passport cards. You can use the passport card when traveling in the european union, the european economic area which includes iceland, liechtenstein and norway and switzerland. The new passport form gives you the option to get 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. Jul 26, 2019 unfortunately, you cannot upgrade your passport card to a passport book. Just a few years later, the number of passport cards issued rose to over one million. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. If i already have a passport book, can i use the ds82 to get a passport card. If you are thinking about applying for or renewing a u. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card.
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