Rush my passport the trusted partner in expedited u. The card format passport is for international travel by u. In july of 2008, due to requests from residents along us borders for a more portable and easier application process than a regular passport, the united states department of state began issuing passport cards, a wallet sized identity card usable for international travel by land and sea, valid only for travel to canada, mexico, the. Both types, passport books and passport cards, exist in the united states of america. The passport card is a variation of the regular passport. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. However, there are restrictions on the type of travel and destinations for which the passport card can be used. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. Difference between visa and passport difference between. A passport card is cheaper to get but is only valid for trav. On this page, uscis guide will discuss broadly the difference between passport book and passport card in the following parts.
An adult applying for a us passport renewal or firsttime passport can receive a card valid for ten years. Passport book is valid for international travel by air, sea, or land. What is the difference between passport book and passport card. Passport book has been in use for a longer period than the passport card. The us passport card is a credit card sized identification document. Difference between a passport book and passport card. Like the book, passport cards are good for 10 years if you are 16 or older.
A passport is a legal document purchased from and issued by the government to prove your identity and citizenship. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card. Passport cards are a form of us passport that are the size of a credit card or drivers license. We want you to know about a few differences between the book and card so you can decide if you want to apply for one or both documents. Besides passports in booklet form, limited use passport cards are issued by the same government agency subject to the same requirements. The passport card contains the same information as a passport book, with a size similar to a laminated stateissued drivers license. Each type has a specific purpose and requires specific requirements be met in order to obtain it. Renewal cost of the passport book and passport card. The walletsized passport card is designed to be more convenient and less cumbersome than regular passports. The other is the passport card, which is just like a drivers license. They can be used for land or sea travel to canada, mexico, bermuda.
Your passport book allows you to travel by land, by sea, or by air. The passport book and the passport card are two different. Passport can be described as an official travel document that is issued by the government of a country to its nationals on the application, which allows them to travel internationally, by authenticating the identity and nationality of the bearer. Check out the differences between the two types of passport. What is the difference between a passport book and. State department issues two versions of a passport. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. Minors under 16 will need to renew their passport every 5 years. The passport book is a thin cardboard cover with your picture and information inside it. Regardless, the passport card that is issued in the united states still has select uses under select circumstances. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. Whether you get the passport book card both are valid for 10 years. They have been available to us citizens since 2008, and are meant to be a convenient way to prove your identity and citizenship. In addition to a regular passport, the passport book, u.
A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. We have three kids and there is a pretty big price difference between the types of passports. But the passport book that most americans are familiar with isnt the only kind of travel document available in the us theres also the passport. Our guide will show you the uses and advantages of each document, and will help you figure out which one is best for you, or if you should have both. Not only do they look different, they serve slightly different purposes. Be sure to know the difference between a passport and a visa. However, if youre considering a passport book vs passport card, just get both. The differences between passport and visa are explained hereunder. Our guide to us passport books will teach you about the different types of passport books so you will understand which one you need and why. The true difference between a passport card and a book is the cost.
If you plan on traveling by air or anywhere outside of canada, mexico, bermuda, or the caribbean nations youll need the u. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. The united states passport card is an official identity and limited travel document issued by the. Adult passport cards remain valid for 10 years and cards issued to children under 16 years of age for five years. However, the passport book is valid for all forms of travel. As like the passport book, the card also must be renewed after validation gets completed. Both the passport book and passport card serve as proof of your u.
We want you to know about a few differences between the book. The passport book is the same as the original passport you need it when youre going to travel by airplane. Passports are nontransferable identification documents that are issued by the united states state department for the purpose of travel and identification. Learn more about how a passport card differs from a passport book. Passport card is wallet sized document while passport book size is 5. Also, any country accepts passport books while passport cards have a more limited use.
Difference between passport book and passport card. If your cruise departs from florida but stops in jamaica before returning to florida, youll need your passport card. Differences between passport book and passport card. This small book with around 1015 pages catalogues all the. Differences between a passport book and passport card. 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. Difference between passport and visa with comparison. I f youve wondered what the difference is between a passport book and a passport card, youve come to the right place.
In short, a person with a passport card can use it to travel to either canada, mexico, bermuda, or the caribbean so long as they are taking either a land route or a sea route. To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. Us passport books and us passport cards the differences. What is the difference between a passport card number and. T here are a variety of united states passport books that are issued to travelers for specific reasons. It has the same requirements and can be used for the same purposes. In this article, well go over the differences between the u. What is the difference between a passport card or book.
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. If you need to travel internationally, you must have a passport book. The difference between a passport book or card getaway usa. 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. Types of us passport books get your passport book today. Passport is a document which is used for personal identification during abroad travels. You cannot use the passport card for international air travel, even when you re enter the u. The difference between passport and passport card us. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. It has several pages for visas and travel documents. Passport cards and passport books are no exception. The most obvious difference between passport books and passport cards is the design, of course. The difference between passport books and passport cards.
Although there are many differences between a us card and book style passport, there are also some similarities. The significant difference between visa and passport is that visa is an official permission which temporarily authorizes us to stay in a foreign country and the passport is a document that certifies our identity during our travels. United states passports are passports issued to citizens and nationals of the united states of america. One instance could be, if you want to travel to jamaica, youll need a passport book. A passport book is valid for all types of travel land, sea or air to any destination. A passport book provides valid identification for any national or international travel.
The difference between the numbers is two digits and the letter c. So, given the differences between a passport book vs passport card, which one is right for you. The advantages and disadvantages will also be discussed and why we recommend you to have both. We need to understand the difference between a passport card and a passport book. The passport card is optional, while the passport book is necessary for travelling. A us passport card can be used for ground border crossings between the us and canada and the us and mexico, and for some water entries between the us, canada, and some nearby sovereign islands. There are several options when it comes to forms of identification for travel. The united states government issues a few different types of passports to american citizens.
The passport card is a cheaper alternative to the passport book. Whats the difference between passport book and passport card. The passport card contains a radio frequency identification chip as well as the traditional photograph and personal information found in a passport book. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. Apply for a passport card bureau of consular affairs us. Passport book is the common book that is essential for traveling from one country to another country. 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. Both documents are valid for 10 years for adults 16 and older, and 5 years for those under the age of 16.
The information below provides details about the kinds of passports, who they are for and how they can be obtained. Previous to the whti, many different types of documents were acceptable to cross the border, including birth. A passport is a collection of all your personal and legal information, which is why it is crucial that it is all accurate. In this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. Passport books are generally more convenient than passport cards, because they allow you to travel internationally without any worry of. It was designed for people who travel frequently between the u. Passport card is also valid for international travel but by land or sea only. Some people are confused with the differences between a passport book and a passport card. So as not to get confused anymore, here a few points to remember on how to distinguish use of each.
In the united states, passport books verify citizenship and right to reenter ones home country such as the united states of america. So the main difference between passport and passport card is where it allows you to travel. This type of passport is limited to land and sea travel to bermuda, canada, the caribbean region, and mexico. Now, the us citizens have an option of applying for a passport book or passport card, or even both. One is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. However, it is essential to understand what the differences between the two are. Whats the difference between a us passport book and card.
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