So as not to get confused anymore, here a few points to remember on how to distinguish use of each. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. You can use the irish passport card for travel within the european union and. Passport card has the same period of validity as the u. Can be used for international travel via land, sea, or air. Some people are confused with the differences between a passport book and a passport card. As passport books allows more activities as compare to passport card so they tend to cost more as well. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. Difference between passport book and passport card. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. How did the department of state decide on the cost of the passport card. Passport card is also valid for international travel but by land or sea only. Currently takes 6 weeks regular processing or 3 expedited. What is the diffference between a passport book and a.
Although, keep in mind, while both can be used as forms of id. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. It is a small little booklet with a blue cover, a page of identifying information and several pages for visa. You can use this creditcardsized document to reenter the united states from mexico, canada, bermuda and the caribbean when traveling by land or sea. Theres an option for a 52page nonstandard passport, and i was wondering when it makes sense to get the 52page passport. The standard passport is 28 pages, and the nonstandard book is 52 pages. It is even cheaper to buy both a passport and passport card at one time. The card can essentially serve as an unofficial form of national id, declaring you a us citizen. 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. 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 so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. This service is not available for passport card applicants. What is the difference between a passport book and passport card. Us should i get the standard or large passport book. As far as restrictions go, there are none with the passport book. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. Im preparing to fly out of the united states for the first time, and im working on getting my passport application filled out. You will be completing the process as a new passport application. Passport card is wallet sized document while passport book size is 5.
The current standard us passport has 28 pages, 18 of them blank. You can apply for a passport card using form ds11 here. Its valid for 10 years, you never know where youre gonna go. In addition to a regular passport, the passport book, u. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults, and five years for travelers under age 16. Oct 05, 2018 if so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. On the other hand, a us passport card has a different purpose. 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.
Our fees reflect the cost of providing passport services to the american public. Aug 31, 20 its valid for 10 years, you never know where youre gonna go. When applying for a passport, you will be asked to select a passport book, card or both. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. What is the differences between passport book vs passport. Difference between passport book and passport card compare. 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. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. The passport card is valid for 5 years or until your passport book. However, the passport book is valid for all forms of travel.
What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. Now that the size and price is out of the way, lets explore other major difference when it comes to passport card vs. If you already have a passport, use form ds82 to apply for a passport card by mail and avoid the execution fee. Can you upgrade from a passport card to a passport 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. Perhaps the biggest difference between a passport card and a traditional passport is that. The passport card is less than half the cost of the passport book, however it has limited use. Our us passport fee 2020 guide will break down all the fees associated with passport service, and will explain all the components of the passport fee. 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. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. Oct 07, 2017 whether you get the passport book card both are valid for 10 years. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison.
Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison diffen. If your travel plans take you to a country bordering the u. Of the internal pages, 17 are blank pages marked visas. A regular passport book may cost a little bit more, but its valid for 10 years for all types of travel. The passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. The fee to obtain a passport card and passport book also changes. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. The standard passport comes with 28 pages only 17 are for visas and the large passport comes with 52 pages i assume only 44 pages are for visas. Apr 24, 2015 as the other two answers have hinted at, unless you live near the us border or youre traveling by sea vessel, the passport card is rubbish at its stated purpose. The passport book has lots of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps. Us passport books and us passport cards the differences. The difference between a passport book or card getaway usa.
The passport card is a cheaper alternative to the passport book. 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. Again, this is only if you want a passport card but youve never had a passport before. Validity of a passport book is 10 years for adults, 5 years for minors under age 16 the size of a passport book is approximately 5 x 3. Passport card for children issued without passport book. Excellent form of official identification for children or nondrivers. Passports for minors under the age of 18 the department of state has rules to prevent children from being issued u. Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages. Passport cardbasically a limiteduse passport enhanced drivers licenseacts both as a driver license and a travel document, but also with limits well walk you through the basic differences of each of these documents, and help you determine which one is right for you. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card. First of all, a passport card can be used for travel by sea to barbados. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. However, i still have a passport card anyway, i use it as my primary form of id, an.
Only available for passport book applicants in the united states not canada. Whether you get the passport bookcard both are valid for 10 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. A passport book is the standard document you may picture when you think of a passport.
See below the differences between a passport book vs. Renewal cost of the passport book and passport card. The government gives you an option of a regular passport book or a passpot card. New passport card for adults age 16 and over who do not hold a passport book. Traditional passports are valid for international travel by air, sea, and land.
Passport cards are valid only for reentering the u. Passport card renewal of card or card issued with passport book, adults. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their travels abroad. If you already have a passport book or passport card, you can renew by mail. As like the passport book, the card also must be renewed after validation gets completed. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. A passport card is less expensive than a traditional passport book. The passport card is smaller when compared to the size of passport book. Unlike the book, a card cannot be used for international air travel. Passport book valid for international travel by air, sea or land. Jun 20, 2019 passport book is valid for international travel by air, sea, or land. You only need a passport book if you travel by air.
Many countries still require a visa so that they can extort some money from you i always even ask them to stamp my passport when entering the u. Fees for passport books and passport cards vary according to the service required, the processing speed, and whether the traveler is an adult or a child. Differences between a passport book and passport card. What is the differences between passport book vs passport card. 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. If you have never had a passport book, you can apply for a passport card by completing the ds11 new passport form. If you have a regular passport and are qualified to. If you want a 52page passport book, be sure to check the appropriate box on form ds82. It is smaller and more convenient to carry than a passport book, and it is less expensive to obtain. Regular passports are a better value for frequent travelers because you wont have to reapply if your next trip out of the country is by plane. 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. State department issues two versions of a passport.
What is the difference between a passport card or book. Passport book is valid for air, land and sea travel. You can use a passport card as a form of id for boarding flights, or when applying for legal documents. Besides, its more than double the regular passport for free. Apr 12, 2014 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. As the other two answers have hinted at, unless you live near the us border or youre traveling by sea vessel, the passport card is rubbish at its stated purpose. Passport book is valid for international travel by air, sea, or land. I recently found out that the us passport comes in two sizes. The us passport card does not cost as much as the traditional us passport book making it a favorite for those individuals that benefit from a us passport card because of its features and abilities. Can i upgrade from a passport card to a passport book.
Theres an option for a 52page nonstandard passport, and i was wondering when it makes sense to get the 52page passport vs whatever is in the normal passport. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. How much traveling would one have to do each year on average for them to need more. No, you must simply apply for the passport book now. What is the difference between a passport book and. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. When should i get a 52page united states passport vs.
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