Passport Book or Card?
The passport card is a newly released document that’s valid for travel only to Canada, Mexico, or Bermuda by land or sea. If you’re traveling to any other destination, or traveling to these countries by air, the passport card is not a valid substitute for a passport book.
See the State Department’s page about passport cards to learn more about this subject, including how to apply for the card.
Read more at www.uspassportnow.com/applyonline
Who Needs a Passport?
Before you go through the application process, be sure travel to your destination actually requires a passport. For instance, you don’t need a passport if you’re an American citizen traveling to any of the 50 states, the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Swains Island, or the Virgin Islands. However, if you’re traveling through a foreign county en route to your U.S. destination, you will need a passport.
Your choice of transportation also affects whether you’ll need a passport. If you’re traveling to Canada or Mexico on the ground or by sea, you won’t need one (although you do need to provide another type of proper identification, such as a passport card, enhanced driver’s license (EDL), or trusted traveler program card). If you’re traveling to those countries by air, though, you must have a passport.
The U.S. Department of State provides an informative passport guide that makes it simple to determine whether you need a passport. All you have to do is enter your travel destination.
Rule Changes for U.S. Land or Sea Entry
Effective June 1, 2009, most U.S. citizens returning from a trip to Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, or the Caribbean by land or sea must produce a single acceptable document to re-enter the country, such as a passport, passport card, EDL, or trusted traveler program card. This means you can no longer confirm your identity and citizenship by presenting multiple documents, such as a basic driver’s license along with a birth certificate.
However, those younger than 16 years old can still simply show an original or copy of their birth certificate, or their citizenship card or naturalization certificate.
U.S. Passport Card
Purpose
The new wallet-size U.S. Passport Card is a travel document that can be used to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry. Note that it cannot be used for international air travel. The passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book.
Validity and Cost
The U.S. Passport Card has the same period of validity as the U.S. Passport Book: 10 years for an adult and 5 years for minors under age 16. The card costs $45 for a first-time adult passport applicant and $35 for all minor applicants under age 16, regardless of whether they are previous passport book or card holders. Adults who already have a fully valid passport book may apply for the card as a passport renewal by mail for a cost of only $20.
How to Apply
U.S. citizens, whether or not they have a passport book, may apply for a passport card. Note that passport cards cannot be shipped using overnight delivery. All passport cards will be returned using First Class Mail.
If you currently have or previously had a U.S. passport book, you might be able to apply for a passport card by mail. Note that in this scenario you will use a passport renewal form (DS-82) even if you’re applying for your first passport card.
If you have never had a passport book, or you do not meet the requirements to apply by mail using Form DS-82, you may apply for a passport card in person using Form DS-11.
