Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. Tsa accepts the passport card as id for domestic flights. These countries include canada, mexico, and the caribbean. 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. Additionally, pricing sets these two options apart, with a passport book costing more than twice as much as a card. A passport card number starts with a letter c followed by eight digits, whereas a passport book number carries nine digits without any alphabet. The veterans administration va announced their rollout of new veterans id cards in november 2017, according to the va website. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. Be it a card or a book, a passport is still a passport. Many people are interested to know the difference between passport book and passport card. Passport cards are cheaper than passport books, and theyre also valid for 10 years. Oct 01, 2020 boiled down in the simplest of terms, if your stateissued id is not real id compatible, you will need to have a passport to travel, even domestically. Everything you need to know about passports and how they work updated 100219 a pa. It was designed for people who travel frequently between the u.
Jun 20, 2019 passport book is valid for international travel by air, sea, or land. The passport card can be used for identification purposes. Comparing a passport book vs passport card concerning validity presents the same information. Jan 11, 2019 however, it is possible to damage a passport book so its best to carry a passport protector or wallet to keep it safe. Perhaps the biggest difference between a passport card and a traditional passport is that.
Department of state, is compliant to the standards for identity documents set by the real id act and can be used as proof of u. A passport is a booklet with either 32 pages standard passport or 66 pages business passport. If the passport card and passport book are applied for at different times, the applicant would need to. Feb 12, 2019 the purpose of the passport card is for travelers that are going to canada, mexico, or the caribbean by land or by sea. The passport card cannot be used for international air travel, but it is still a great id to have in your wallet. The reason why a passport book is a better idea is because it better protects you if you were ever stranded somewhere. Your passport book allows you to travel by land, by sea, or by air. However, if youre considering a passport book vs passport card, just get both. Feb, 2011 passport book vs passport card difference between passport book and passport card can be a new subject to you if you are not a citizen of the united states of america. 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.
A passport book is valid for all types of travel land, sea or air to any destination. Passport card is also valid for international travel but by land or sea only. Excellent form of official identification for children or nondrivers. Be the first to discover secret destinations, travel hacks, and more. Even though were at a standstill, you might need to travel or have your travel documents current and up to date. No, the passport card number is completely different from your book number.
What is the difference between a passport and a passport. The passport card is basically an id card, while the passport book is a normal passport that has enough pages for different stamps and visas. This document proves your citizenship, holds visas issued to you by other countries and lets you reenter the u. Both a passport card or a passport book is a valid form of identification for domestic cruises. Nov 23, 2018 you will likely need the following to apply for a real id, but you should find specific details on your states dmv website. Unless you use the mobile passport app, youll have to. But if you dont have either type of passport, you may still be able to travel to these destinations. Both the passport book and passport card serve as proof of your u. Pros cons using soft keys and physical keys together is straightforward enough, but we had one major issue.
The appeal of the passport card is it is cheaper than the book, while providing a better option than relying on a birth certificate and state issued identification. If you dont already have a passport, you will need to either get a real id or passport by october 1 to fly in the united states. Siobhan is a passionate writer sharing about motivation and happiness tips on lifehack. How passport books and passport cards are the same. Instead, you have to apply through the state where you reside. To learn more about the us passport book vs card, how much they cost and most importantly, which one is suitable for your case continue reading this informative article. The us passport card is a small passport card, about the size of a credit card, that contains your photo and identifying information. The united states passport card is an official national identity and limited travel document issued by the united states federal government in the size of a credit. Hello, currently i have an expired passport book that im trying to renew as well as a passport card that is still valid. I applied to renew my passport this past summer, and i had the option of applying for a just a passport book, or b both a passport book and also a passport card, which can be used in certain intercountry travel situations cant remember what situations either. Like the book, passport cards are good for 10 years if you are 16 or older. What is the difference between a passport and an identity card id. You can apply for both a passport book and passport card at the same time using either form.
The passport card will match the expiry date of your passport book, if you have less than 5 years validity remaining. You cannot use the passport book for international flights. The federal government offers passport books for all types of travel. You can also get a passport card for land or sea travel to canada, mexico, or the caribbean.
Not only do they look different, they serve slightly different purposes. The use for a card is generally for land and sea travels, so you wouldnt be able to board an international flight using a passport card, tharp tells me. In contrast, a passport card is similar in purpose to a passport book but much more limited in scope. If youre thinking of going on a cruise, the passport card might be nice when you need a from of identification to get on and off the ship. You generally need a passport to visit any country around the world. The us passport card is a credit card sized identification document. Difference between passport book and passport card compare. From passport cards to global entry, which trustedtraveler. What is a passport card, and what should you know when youre considering a passport book vs. As passport books allows more activities as compare to passport card so they tend to cost more as well.
But, the passport card can only be used for international travel by land and sea. Information on how to apply for and receive a passport or u. A passport book is valid for any international travel by air, sea or land. Passport card is wallet sized document while passport book size is 5. Aug 10, 2012 a passport book provides valid identification for any national or international travel.
Difference between passport book and passport card. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. Read full profile although a lot of our world now seems to be online banking, shopping, travel tickets and so on. Passport cards a passport book provides valid identification for any national or international travel. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. I applied to renew my passport this past summer, and i had the option of applying for a just a passport book, or b both a passport book and also a passport card, which can be used in certain intercountry travel situations cant remember what situations either, but doesnt really matter as it is irrelevant to my question. In this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. Minors under 16 will need to renew their passport every 5 years. The passport book has plenty of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps, while the passport card is a onepiece creditcardsized id card. The passport card is a walletsize identification card with your picture, information, and barcode. There is no national id card number in the united states. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card. Since a passport book comes with multiple pages, the cost is more than a passport card.
This is perhaps unsurprising, seeing as how a passport card lacks the blank pages of the passport book because it is nothing more than the size of a standard id card. The difference between passport and passport card us. Passport book vs passport card i f youve wondered what the difference is between a passport book and a passport card, youve come to the right place. While the passport card is more convenient due to its size, it is far more restricted in use than the passport book. Traveling continues to slow down in a muchneeded effort to flatten the curve of the coronavirus pandemic. There are several options when it comes to forms of identificatio. It is also used for domestic travel to countries by land or sea. The main difference is that passport books are valid for international. State department issues two versions of a passport. They are valid for five years from the date of issue, just like a minor passport book. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. Land and sea travel to canada, mexico and the caribbean. Difference between a passport book and passport card.
Differences between a passport book and passport card. Living abroad, i keep my passport book tucked away in a safe location for when i need to travel internationally. From passport cards to global entry, which trusted. Passport card vs passport book americas central america. The length of validity is the same for both documents, five years. 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. The traditional us passport book is what you would expect from a passport while the us passport card is the size of a credit card or regular sized drivers license. A passport card is valid for travel to and from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda at land border crossings and sea portsofentry. Any time you board an international flight, you will need a valid us passport book. 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. One of the advantages to having a us passport card is the miniscule size making it easy to store in a wallet or purse. Passport card uses a different passport number, and a rfid chip with your biometric data, but cannot by itself be used to fly intoout of the usa. A passport card provides valid identification for national travel, but only provides valid identification for certain types of international travel. A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air.
They contain similar information, such as document number, first and last name surname, nationality, date of birth, and document issue and expiration dates. Each has different form factors, and purposes for using. A passport is a small travel document that identifies you and authorizes you to travel. You still need a valid drivers license to operate a motor vehicle.
Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. Passport book the following chart will give you a quick overview of the passport card versus the passport book. Traditional passports are valid for international travel by air, sea, and land. If you are traveling by air or to most countries, you will need a traditional passport book, with pages for your various visas. 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.
If you dont want or dont qualify for a drivers license, you may want a stateissued id to use as identification. Adults enjoy a validity of ten years while minors under age sixteen enjoy a validity of five years. Passport books are generally more convenient than passport cards, because they allow you to travel internationally without any worry of. Passport cards are wallet sized while the passport book is larger and thicker. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card.
Whether you drive or not, at some point, youll likely need to provide some form of valid identification. That is not to say these two pieces of identification are equal. For more information about the california real id, visit the dmv website. The traditional passport book is still required for most travel purposes. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. Whats a passport card, and can it replace a real id. Passport the application process is the same for either the passport book or card, even if you want both at the same time. If you are traveling by air or to most countries, you will need a. What is the difference between a passport and a passport card. To protect yourself against emergency situations, go with a passport book, which covers all international travel by air, sea or land.
Choosing between the passport card vs book royal caribbean blog. Regardless if you are traveling by air, land, or sea, you can use a passport. A traditional passport book comes with pages for stamps and important documents to be. It is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors under 16.
Us passport vs enhanced drivers license rush my passport. If you need to travel internationally, you must have a passport book. 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. 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. A stateissued id card is one of the best forms of identification that you can carry. The passport card contains a radio frequency identification chip as well as the traditional photograph and personal information found in a passport book. The cost also depends on the age of holder adults pay more than minors but it costs the same amount to renew them. Passport card for land and sea travel between the caribbean, bermuda, mexico and canada and the united states. If you are applying for both a book and a card at the same time, you only need to submit one passport photo. Passport cards are valid only for reentering the u. Mar 06, 2019 a passport, passport card or california identification card is not a substitute for a drivers license. Passport card vs passport book difference between passport. For more information about passports and passport cards, visit the u.
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