The difference between the two is that one is a card and one is a book. T here are a variety of united states passport books that are issued to travelers for specific reasons. Here are the countries and territories where a us passport card is valid. What is the difference between a passport card or book. Entering the united states at land border crossings and sea portsofentry from.
Difference between passport book and passport card compare. The passport book has plenty of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps, while the passport card is a onepiece creditcardsized id card. The us passport card can be useful in a number of situations. Passport book booklet style id travel document standard passport book. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a. If issued for the full validity, they are both proof of your u. If your travel plans take you to a country bordering 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. The cardformat passport is for international travel by u. One is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison diffen. Whats the difference between passport book and passport card. You cannot use a passport card when traveling by air internationally.
In the united states, travelers have two options to use for international travel. Wondering whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. 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 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. A passport book is valid for all types of travel land, sea or air to any destination.
What is the difference between a passport book and passport card. Passport books are larger and filled with blank pages used for visas and stamps anytime you enter and exit a country. 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. I f youve wondered what the difference is between a passport book and a passport card, youve come to the right place. What is the difference between passport book and card. These come in the form of a traditional passport book, along with a passport card. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their. Can be used for international travel via land, sea, or air. A us passport card can be used for ground border crossings between the us and canada and the us and mexico, and for some water entries between the us, canada, and some nearby sovereign islands. Jun 20, 2019 passport book is a globally recognized travel document while passport card is not a globally recognized document. Passport card difference between passport book and passport card u.
The difference between passport and passport card us. Passport card says land or sea travel from us to canada, mexico and the caribbean. Another difference between the passport card and passport book is the size of each document. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. Difference between passport book and passport card. The united states passport card is an official identity and limited travel document issued by the.
The passport card is walletsize while the passport book is 5x3 12 when closed. Only available for passport book applicants in the united states not canada. The card is smaller and lighter as it is designed to slip inside a wallet. From passport cards to global entry, which trusted. Passport book booklet style id travel document standard passport book has 28 pages. If a passport book holder uses all 52 pages, the holder must purchase a new passport book. Types of us passport books get your passport book today. The walletsize passport card is convenient and less expensive than the passport book. Unless you use the mobile passport app, youll have to. 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. See below the differences between a passport book vs. Nov 20, 2017 a passport card allows significantly fewer opportunities for the holder to travel, but often its enough for some.
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. 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. 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. 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. If your cruise departs from florida but stops in jamaica before returning to florida, youll need your passport card. May, 2019 in this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. Us passport book and passport card online application. That price difference can be significant for trips across the different borders. Additionally, the cost of the passport card is significantly less than the passport book.
The passport book and the passport card are two different unique documents with unique number. Feb 21, 2008 the passport book is the same as the original passport you need it when youre going to travel by airplane. One instance could be, if you want to travel to jamaica, youll need a passport book. The traditional passport book is still required for most travel purposes. Aug 18, 2016 today, united states citizens need a passport to travel to neighboring countries such as mexico and canada. What is the differences between passport book vs passport card. The passport card is only valid for entry into the united states at land border crossings or sea ports of entry.
In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. Passport card cannot be used for international air travel. A passport card is cheaper than a passport book, but cant be used for air travel and is only valid in canada, mexico, bermuda, and the caribbean. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. 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. What is the difference between a passport card or book answers. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. The biggest difference between a passport book and passport card is that passport cards are only valid to enter canada, mexico, bermuda, and caribbean countries and territories see the full list. The us passport book vs passport card salon prive mag. If you can submit a passport book, but you lost your passport card, you cannot. 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. Unless you use the mobile passport app, youll have to stand in. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. While the passport card is more convenient due to its size, it is far more restricted in use than the passport book.
Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. In addition to a regular passport, the passport book, u. Passport card the standard passport book covers all the bases. Differences between a passport book and passport card. What is the difference between passport book and passport card. Passport book is widely used for international travel while passport card is used for united states citizens who live in border territories in the us. The difference between the numbers is two digits and the letter c. Passport cards are a form of us passport that are the size of a credit card or drivers license.
Select both and you will pay additional fees for the passport book and passport card. Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. They have been available to us citizens since 2008, and are meant. Oct 07, 2017 wondering whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. A passport card can be used to enter the us states at land border crossing or seaportsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. Make sure that you know which type of passport you need before purchasing your passport card or book. As with a passport book, a nonexpired passport card can serve as your proof of identity and citizenship. The passport card is basically an individual credit cardsized id. But, whats the difference between a passport book vs card. From passport cards to global entry, which trustedtraveler. When closed, the passport book measures 5 inches by 3. Otherwise, it carries the rights and privileges of the u. If you are traveling by air or to most countries, you will need a traditional passport book, with pages for your various visas. Air flight is not included so a passport book is needed, is this correct.
There are several options when it comes to forms of identification for travel. The passport card is a cheaper alternative to the passport book. 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 more. In this post, well cover the main differences so you know exactly which passport option is right for you. Difference between a passport book and passport card. If youre renewing your passport book and passport card, you must submit both documents. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is not requried that you obtain both. Our guide to us passport books will teach you about the different types of passport books so you will understand which one you need and why. See the chart below to decide which is best for you.
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. What is the difference between a passport card number and a. The us passport card is a small passport card, about the size of a credit card, that contains your photo and identifying information. A passport book is required for all international travel by air. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. If you lose your passport book you still have your passport card and vice versa. They have been available to us citizens since 2008, and are meant to be a convenient way to prove your identity and citizenship. Passport books and cards are alternatives to a stateissued id. What is the difference between a passport card number and. A passport card is cheaper to get but is only valid for trav. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. 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.
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. 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. The most obvious difference between passport books and passport cards is the design, of course. You can also use it as your id for domestic air travel. Passport book has been in use for a longer period than the passport card. 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.
There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. The us passport card cannot be used for international air travel. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. Like the passport, the passport card is valid for 10 years for adults and for 5 years for minors under the age of 16.
What is the difference between a passport and a passport card. This service is not available for passport card applicants. Regardless, the passport card that is issued in the united states still has select uses under select circumstances. The difference between a passport book or card getaway usa. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. You can just slip it in your wallet, right behind your drivers license. Both types, passport books and passport cards, exist in the united states of america. Us passport books and us passport cards the differences. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. The passport book comes in both a standard, 24page version and a bigger, 52page version for those who travel frequently.