Here is a table showing the principal differences between a. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their. If so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. We want you to know about a few differences between the book and card so you can. The difference between a passport book or card getaway usa. Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages.
The passport card contains the same information as a passport book, with a size similar to a laminated stateissued drivers license. A passport is an official document that allows you to leave your country and go abroad. What is the difference between a passport book and. The passport book has lots of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps.
Passport card has the same period of validity as the u. What is the diffference between a passport book and a. The difference between a passport book and passport card. 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.
If you ever want to fly to another country or even do a cruise outside of the countries where the cards are valid, get the book. You can now apply for a passport book and a 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. You cannot use a passport card when traveling by air internationally. Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. If youre leaving for an international trip, your passport is. Difference between passport book and passport card. You can use the irish passport card for travel within the european union and the. If you are applying from outside ireland, there is an additional delivery cost of 5. Differences between a passport book and passport card.
This service is not available for passport card applicants. State department issues two versions of a passport. Also, any country accepts passport books while passport cards have a more limited use. We have three kids and there is a pretty big price difference between the types of passports. Passport the application process is the same for either the passport book or card, even if you want both at the same time. In this article, well go over the differences between the u. 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. That price difference can be significant for trips across the different borders. See below the differences between a passport book vs.
Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. Passport books and cards are alternatives to a stateissued id. 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. Passport book is valid for international travel by air, sea, or land. The adult passport bundle, which includes a 10year passport book and 5year passport card for people aged over 18, costs 100. Passport card is wallet sized document while passport book size is 5. As passport books allows more activities as compare to passport card so they tend to cost more as well. If youre thinking of going on a cruise, the passport card might be nice when you. Both documents are valid for 10 years for adults 16 and older, and 5 years for those under the age of 16. Passport card can be used to enter the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at land border crossings or sea portsofentry and is. 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. 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. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. One is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped.
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. Passport card is also valid for international travel but by land or sea only. The passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship. It is not globally recognized document for travel and used in some areas of united states only. Only available for passport book applicants in the united states not canada. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card.
Its in the form of a booklet and states your name, birthday. If you re taking a cruise between the united states, canada, mexico. We need to understand the difference between a passport card and a passport book. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. There are, however, some key differences that need to be considered. Passport card a passport card is the size of a drivers license and can be used only for travel by land or sea to canada, mexico, bermuda, and parts of 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. Difference between a passport book and passport card. The passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. Passport card was first issued by united states to its citizens for land and sea travel within north america canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda. Both of these documents give you the ability to travel outside of the country. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. Apply for a passport card united states department of state. 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.
Enhanced drivers license many people may not know but depending on the. The cardformat passport is for international travel by u. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. You must have the original copies of all required documents. Irish citizens can use for certain travel instead of the standard passport book. To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to. A passport card can only be used to travel by land or sea. The difference between passport and passport card us. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is not. This means you cannot fly to canada, mexico, or the caribbean with a passport card. The passport card is not valid for international air travel. 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.
The passport card is optional, while the passport book is necessary for travelling. In general, everyone must have a passport book or a regular passport to travel from one country to another. 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. However, i still have a passport card anyway, i use it as my primary form of id, an. It contains several pages like the passport details page which provides the holders name,date of birth, passport expiry date etc as well as other blank pages for visa and immigration stamping a passport card is a portable pocket sized card similar to a credit card that fits in your wallet. What is the difference between a passport book and a. Passport card difference between passport book and passport card u.
The passport card is a cheaper alternative to the passport book. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. Fees vary based on age, the speed of service you request and whether you already have a passport. The united states passport card is an official identity and limited travel document issued by the. 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. Persons can apply for both the passport book and the passport card at the same time. The us passport card is a small passport card, about the size of a credit card, that contains your photo and identifying information. The us passport card allows you to enter the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at sea ports of entry, land border crossings and is more convenient and cheaper than a passport book. Passport cards are also only valid in mexico, bermuda, canada and the caribbean. So the main difference between passport and passport card is where it allows you to travel.
The passport book vs card question is one you may have if you are a firsttime international traveler. The walletsize passport card is convenient and less expensive than the passport book. Passport card cannot be used for international air travel. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. 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. The passport book is the same as the original passport you need it when youre going to travel by airplane. The us passport book vs passport card salon prive mag. Effective march 24, 2020, the issuance of passport books and cards has been suspended until further notice. The traditional passport book is still required for most travel purposes. In addition to this, we have passport card, this is a card which is used for only land and sea travel on the listed countries in italic on the card. A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. Passport books are valid for all international travel, no matter what the mode of transit is.
A passport book is valid for all types of travel land, sea or air to any destination. Of the internal pages, 17 are blank pages marked visas that are meant for travel visas and country entry and exit stamps. The passport card is only valid for entry into the united states at land border crossings or sea ports of entry. To begin with, passport cards can not be used for air travel. Us passport book vs us passport card us visa connection. The walletsized passport card is designed to be more convenient and less cumbersome than regular passports. The passport book has plenty of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps, while the passport card is a onepiece creditcardsized id card. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. The other is the passport card, which is just like a drivers license. If you are traveling by air or to most countries, you will need a.
What is the difference between a passport card or book. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison diffen. One of the most important differences between the two is that passport book has been in use for longer time than the passport card. The difference between the two is that one is a card and one is a book. You can just slip it in your wallet, right behind your drivers license. The most obvious difference between passport books and passport cards is the design, of course. 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. Whether you get the passport bookcard both are valid for 10 years.