Aug 22, 2016 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. State department offers an alternative to using a passport to travel between the u. What is the difference between a passport and a passport. Unless you have a lifeordeath emergency, you should wait to apply for or renew your passport until we resume normal operations. Since we all know how to acquire passport booklets, lets learn how to get hold of a passport card. You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a passport book. The passport card is designed to be a less expensive and more portable alternative to the passport book. Can be used for international travel via land, sea, or air. Jan 07, 2009 i was asking questions earlier about if the us was still expediting passports, and im pretty sure they still are if anyone knows differently please notify me. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. Passport book is valid for international travel by air, sea, or land.
The only reason youd most likely need a passport is if you got missed he ship for whatever reason. It has several pages for visas and travel documents. Nov 20, 2017 a passport card allows significantly fewer opportunities for the holder to travel, but often its enough for some. See below the differences between a passport book vs. 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. While the passport card is more convenient due to its size, it is far more restricted in use than the passport book. The passport book is a thin cardboard cover with your picture and information inside it. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. Passport, a formal document or certification issued by a national government identifying a traveler as a citizen or national with a right to protection while abroad and a right to return to the country of citizenship. What is the difference between a passport book and. The passport card is a walletsize card that can only be used for land and sea travel between the united states and canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda. Can only be used in land and sea travels, not by air. From passport cards to global entry, which trustedtraveler.
What is the difference between a passport book and a. 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. Many travelers will still want to apply for a full passport, however. Some people are confused with the differences between a passport book and a passport card. You can just slip it in your wallet, right behind your drivers license. Aug 18, 2016 one is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages. What is the differences between passport book vs passport. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. So as not to get confused anymore, here a few points to remember on how to distinguish use of each.
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. What is the difference between a passport book and passport card. Passport book for reentry into the united states from any country. 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. Since the passport card is apparently worthless, it is better to leave that than your actual passport. S citizens that want to travel by land or sea to canada, mexico, and the caribbean. What ever drive you choose make sure it is not the only copy you have. Passports, letters of transit, and similar documents were used for centuries to. I would get the passport book or nothing the birth certificate and the passport card seem equal in value to me you cant fly home with either, and that would be the point of getting the passport book if there is an emergency and you are in a foreign country, you cannot get on an airplane without a passport book, period, so it seems like a. The passport book is the same as the original passport you need it when youre going to travel by airplane.
Because the passport card has more limited uses, its less expensive than the passport book. The passport card facilitates entry and expedites document processing at u. 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. Passport card is also valid for international travel but by land or sea only. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. Both documents are valid for 10 years for adults 16 and older, and 5 years for those under the age of 16. If you are flying by plane, a cape, a giant eagle, or anything for that matter, you have to get the passport book. If you are traveling by air or to most countries, you will need a traditional passport book, with pages for your various visas. However, the passport book is valid for all forms of travel. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. There are differences in capacity for a persons needs. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. They all seem like external hard drives, are there any specific trends within the families.
The passport is a usb powered drive and my book essentials is externally powered. A passport book is valid for any international travel by air, sea or land. What is the difference between a passport card number and. The traditional passport book is still required for most travel purposes. 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. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is not requried that you obtain both. Otherwise, it carries the rights and privileges of the u. 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. The card will provide a less expensive, smaller, and more convenient alternative to the passport book for those who travel frequently to these destinations by land or by sea. One is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. Oct 07, 2017 whether you get the passport book card both are valid for 10 years. Also, if you get a passport card separately from your passport, it has a different number and expiration date also costs a bit more.
Differences between passport book and passport card. However, when they went to apply for new passports, the clerk steered them toward ordering one of the walletsized new passport cards. A passport card is a portable pocket sized card similar to a credit card that fits in your wallet. Difference between passport book and passbook card. The card is billed as a cheaper, smaller and more convenient alternative to carrying a passport when traveling to these destinations by land or sea. Difference between a passport book and passport card. The complete guide to offshore residency, dual citizenship and second passports robert e. The cardformat passport is for international travel by u. Any us citizen wishing to travel internationally via air must have a passport book.
The passport book comes in both a standard, 24page version and a bigger, 52page version for those who travel frequently. Difference between passport book and passport card. Unless you use the mobile passport app, youll have to. Passport is a must for any person that is looking to internationally travel via any means. It was introduced on july 18th, 2008 and over 7 million passport cards have been issued since then. The difference between the numbers is two digits and the letter c. It is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors under 16. Passport card is wallet sized document while passport book size is 5. 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. Passport operations in response to covid19 because of public health measures to prevent the spread of covid19, effective march 20, we have limited u. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. However, if you get a passport card, it cannot be used for travel by air.
What are the benefits of the 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. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. The other is the passport card, which is just like a drivers license. The walletsized passport card is designed to be more convenient and less cumbersome than regular passports. 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. The passport book is accepted for any form of international travel and is also the document that holds your visas. 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. Differences between a passport book and passport card. Personally if i was going to use a drive to run much video id want one with a fan for better cooling. Us passport books and us passport cards the differences.
Passport books can be accepted in any country unless theyve barred us citizens from entry, like north korea, and are valid for visa applications, while a passport card can only be used to enter countries by land or sea. Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. The difference between passport and passport card us. The passport book allows the holder to travel worldwide with proper visa and documentation, while the passport card only allows the holder to travel to and fro neighboring countries such as canada, mexico, bahamas and the caribbean. Therefore, prior to getting my passport card, this meant my passport book often found itself in my back pocket getting frayed, damp, and bent not a good thing for a machinereadable document. Enhanced drivers license many people may not know but depending on the state that you live in a third option is available to you. The passport card is a cheaper alternative to the passport book. The complete guide to offshore residency, dual citizenship and second passports. What is the difference between a passport and a passport card. Difference between passport book and passport card compare. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. A passport card is valid for travel to and from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda at land border crossings and sea portsofentry. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card.
I called the passport agency at 8774872778 to confirm thistwice. The passport card allows irish citizens to travel to 31 countries, including european union member states, the european economic area eea countries, and switzerland, without needing to carry their passport book. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. Whether you get the passport bookcard both are valid for 10 years. Your passport book allows you to travel by land, by sea, or by air. Depending on your budget and travel plans, you can choose between a passport card or book. The my book is designed to be used in a primary location desktop. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. The card format passport is for international travel by u. The us passport card is a small passport card, about the size of a credit card, that contains your photo and identifying information. Learn more on our covid19 update page and our frequently asked questions page.
Because of public health measures to prevent the spread of covid19, effective march 20, we have limited u. Fees vary based on age, the speed of service you request and whether you already have a passport. Launching the irish passport card department of foreign. The good news is a passport card is generally valid for the same time and has the same application process as a 26 or 52page passport book. What is the differences between passport book vs passport card. However, since passport cards arent valid for flying, again i dont see how theyre helpful in. Passport card for a reduced fee if you only plan to travel by land or sea to and from canada, mexico, bermuda, or the caribbean nations. A passport card is only good for travel by land and sea, not by plane. It comes with many blank pages to be stamped at customs.
Apparently, neither the clerk nor the housleys was aware of one of the crucial differences between a passport book and a passport card. One of the most important differences between the two is that passport book has been in use for longer time than the passport card. 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. The most obvious difference between passport books and passport cards is the design, of course. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. A passport card provides valid identification for national travel, but only provides valid identification for certain types of international travel. The passport card is designed to be a less expensive and more. What is the difference between my book, my passport, and. A passport book is valid for all types of travel land, sea or air to any destination. Along with allowing for international travel, passports can be used to prove your identity and citizenship, especially when you need multiple forms of identification. Jun 30, 2015 therefore, prior to getting my passport card, this meant my passport book often found itself in my back pocket getting frayed, damp, and bent not a good thing for a machinereadable document. A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land sea. Applying for a passport card by mail will take up to 8 weeks. You dont need to present a passport or the card when entering and exiting the ship.
What is the difference between a passport card number and a. 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. A passport book provides valid identification for any national or international travel. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane.