Do i need both a passport card and a passport book

What is a passport card, and what should you know when youre considering a passport book vs. Yes, passport cards can be renewed just like passport books. If you lose your passport book you still have your passport card and vice. The passport card is only valid for entry into the united states at land border crossings or sea ports of entry. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. 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. Aug 10, 2012 complete your passport card application. Travel articles do you need a passport or a passport card. Jan 23, 2019 should i choose a passport book or passport card. Difference between a passport book and passport card. Currently, all citizens of the united states need a one or the other for international travel, even to neighboring countries such as mexico and canada. Get a passport card with your passport renewal g3passports. Both passport cards and books are also acceptable on shore excursions. And again, applying for a passport book comes with higher fees.

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. Passport cards are valid for land and sea travel to and from canada, mexico and the countries of the caribbean. A passport card is cheaper than a passport book, but cant be used for air travel and. Passport book the passport book is designed to be used for all types of international travel. In a short period of time, passport services received over 350,000 applications for the passport card. The passport publication has lots of pages for arrivaldeparture stamps and visas, while the passport card is a id card. A passport card does not count as a second passport. Sometimes it makes life more convenient to have both a passport book and a card, and carry them both on your international travel.

Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. The passport card cannot be used for international air travel. If you already have a valid us passport book, then it is not required to also have a passport card to travel internationally. Passport books are larger than cards and come with many pages for customs stamps. Aug 24, 2017 both forms ask you to check a box indicating whether youre applying for a passport book, card or both. Minor children will need to have their passports renewed every 5 years until they reach 16 years of age. Enhanced drivers license many people may not know but depending on the. In order to apply for a passport book by mail, your current passport must. Aug 18, 2016 today, united states citizens need a passport to travel to neighboring countries such as mexico and canada. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. Yes, you can apply for both a passport book and passport card at the same. You can apply for a us passport card by mail if you already have a us passport book and eligible to use form ds82. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport.

The passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. While a passport book is valid for all types of travel land, sea or air to any destination. 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. One is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. If any of the above statements do not apply to you, you must apply in person using form. An adult passport card looks similar to a drivers license, and is valid for ten years.

Jun 02, 2018 while the book can still be used to cross by land into canada or mexico, it can be a little cumbersome to carry a full book when a card conveniently fits in any wallet. Well help you determine whether you want or need to pay extra for the passport card. If you already hold a passport book, your card will be issued with a different number. I currently have a passport card that was issued in june 2009. Both passport books and cards are valid for 10 years, so if it fits your travel plans, the passport card can be a. Not only do they seem different, they serve different functions. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. Can i apply for a passport card and passport book using the same. What is the difference between a passport book and passport card. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail.

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. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to barbados. This will be the first time i leave the country and fly in an airplane. Differences between a passport book and passport card. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. Mar 18, 2020 the passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. Your old passport card will be marked cancelled by having one corner clipped off. Jun, 2019 how to get a us passport book first time. 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. They are valid for five years from the date of issue, just like a minor passport book. I will be needing to get a passport book within the next couple of years so i can travel to barbados.

Feb 12, 2019 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. The passport book is the traditional multipage document that border agents stamp as you travel through. First, can you have both a passport and a passport card at the same time. You can use the passport card to keep in your wallet at all times, with the passport book at home and ready to go should the need. No passport card can be used for international air travel, even to a country that does allow entry with a passport card by land or sea. Enhanced drivers license many people may not know but depending on the state that you live in a third option is available to you. If you already have a passport book, you might be able to apply for your very first passport card by mail. You can use form ds82 to renew your passport book at the same time that your apply for your passport card. Whether you get the passport book card both are valid for 10 years. The primary justification i had for doing so was tha. Whether you choose a passport book or a passport card is up to you.

Everything else about the application process is the same for each type of passport. Nov 04, 2014 conveniently, both the passport book and the passport card have the same renewal period. I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time. I f youve wondered what the difference is between a passport book and a passport card, youve come to the right place. The passport book is accepted for any form of international travel and is also the document that holds your visas. How to know if you need a passport book or passport card. Oct 07, 2017 whether you get the passport book card both are valid for 10 years. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card. Department of state passport services recently began issuing the passport card as an alternative to the traditional passport book. While there are similarities between a passport book and passport card, it is crucial that those holding either the passport book or card and individuals needing to obtain a passport for the first time know the differences.

Youll need to submit both documents when you do your next renewal. Select both and you will pay additional fees for the passport book and passport card. Both the book and the card are equally valid as proof of identity and citizenship, and can be used for domestic air travel. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. For many people, especially those who are not united states expats, having both is an advantage. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is. Us passport book and passport card online application. 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. However, the card was created to facilitate the frequent travel of.

A passport book is required for all international travel by air. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. Otherwise you will need to use form ds11 to apply for a passport card. 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. If you are applying for both a book and a card at the same time, you only need to submit one passport photo. 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. 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. Mar 05, 2018 a passport card is a smaller version of a passport book and fits inside a wallet. A passport card can be used to enter the us states at land border crossing or seaportsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. If you are applying for a passport, youll need to consider whether to get a passport book or a passport card. The other is the passport card, which is just like a drivers license. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. I have a passport card, but also need a passport book for overseas.

The primary differences determine where and how the holder may travel. While customers rarely have two passport books, they commonly have both a passport book and a passport card. We only issue second passport books not second passport cards. 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. Do you need a passport card or passport book to travel by air. I need to purchase my passport, but i dont know if i need just the book, or just the card, or both. You can apply by mail using form ds82 if you have a passport book or card that. If you have a passport card, you can also use it to drive across the canadian border and to. Oct 16, 2017 the passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. The passport book is valid for all international travel. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. In order to apply for your first passport card, youll need the same documentation you need to apply for a passport book. Oct 17, 2009 the passport book and the passport card are both valid passport that will attest to your identity as well as citizenship. What is the difference between a passport book and a passport.

These rules do not apply to cruises roundtrip from san juan, puerto rico, as the. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. The passport book is valid for all types of travel. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. A passport card is a smaller version of a passport book and fits inside a wallet. Adults will need to have their passport renewed every 10 years.