When traveling internationally, first-time applicants for a passport book or passport card may not be sure which option suits their needs. Understanding the difference between a passport book and card is critical to ensuring entry to your chosen destinations. Today, we’ll explain what you need to travel internationally so that you’re ready for your passport application.
Passport Card: Compact Convenience
A passport card is an affordable and convenient alternative to a passport book. It can be used as identification for certain types of international travel and is convenient to carry as an ID in daily life.
Physical Form
Passport cards are about the same size as a driver’s license and are made of durable material. They are typically meant to be carried as everyday travel documents. Because they’re pocket-sized, you don’t need to worry about getting a special holder; your wallet is fine.
Eligible Travel
A passport card is an accepted form of ID for land and sea travel in Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and select Caribbean countries. It is valid for land crossings at the American border or select sea ports of entry.
The full list of countries that allow for land and sea travel with a passport card, according to the US State Department, are as follows:
- Canada
- Mexico
- Bermuda
- Anguilla
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Aruba
- The Bahamas
- The British Virgin Islands
- Bonaire
- Sint Eustatius and Saba
- Curaçao
- Sint Maarten
- The Cayman Islands
- Dominica
- The Dominican Republic
- Grenada
- Jamaica
- Montserrat
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent
- The Grenadines
- Turks and Caicos
Certain countries in the Caribbean will not accept a passport card. Exceptions to this rule include Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti, Cuba, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Barthélemy, and Saint Martin, not to be confused with Sint Maarten. For these, you will need a passport book.
Additionally, you must have a visa to visit Cuba, and travel to this country is restricted to certain activities, such as humanitarian work or business. You must apply for a special Cuba Travel Card and have your passport book handy.
Not Valid for International Air Travel
As mentioned, the passport card is only valid for international travel by land or sea. You cannot use it for international travel by air.
Additional Uses
A passport card is a convenient second form of ID when traveling throughout the United States or visiting land border crossings with a participating country.
If you have not yet upgraded your driver’s license to a real ID, you can use your passport card as proof of identification on a domestic flight and to reserve rental cars. It is a durable and convenient proof of citizenship, especially for those who don’t drive.
Cost-Effective Option for Frequent Land/Sea Travelers
One of the best reasons to get a passport card is if you travel extensively throughout North America or the Caribbean. Those who frequently board domestic flights may not wish to keep their passport book on their person, while people living near Mexico or Canada might want to cross the border for a day trip.
A passport card costs around $30, which is no more expensive than a typical driver’s license.
Passport Book: Global Access for International Travel
When you receive your passport book, you have your golden ticket for international travel. These passports are accepted at all international destinations, and they can be used for air, land, or sea crossings.
Physical Form
Standard-size passport books are 5 inches by 3.5 inches when closed and have 28 blank pages, though you can request a larger 52-page booklet at no additional cost if you expect to travel extensively for the next ten years.
Universal Travel Document
A passport book is proof of citizenship worldwide and is accepted at any border crossing, including air, land, and sea travel. With this identification, you can visit any country you like, as long as you have the appropriate visas (if necessary).
Required for Visa Applications and International Flights
If you want to board an international flight, you must have a passport book. A passport card or domestic identification document like a driving license will not be enough. Additionally, some countries require a visa, and you will need a passport book to apply.
Additional Benefits
Because a passport book has blank visa pages, it is a beautiful and durable collection of your world travels. You will receive a stamp each time you cross a border, creating a memento of each trip.
While no one wants to get in trouble while abroad, you may require help from a US embassy or consulate in a foreign country. If you need certain types of help from the US embassy, such as emergency financial aid or help to evacuate, you will need proof of citizenship, and your passport book is your best bet.
In-Depth Comparison: Passport Card vs. Book
While both a passport book and passport card can be incredibly helpful documents, they are not identical, so it is crucial to understand how each type of passport may serve your needs.
Eligibility
A passport card is only issued to US citizens. However, both US citizens and US nationals can apply for passport books.
Cost
A passport card is an inexpensive form of real ID; it costs about $30. Passport books are more expensive and generally cost about $130.
Validity Period
Both the passport book and card are valid for ten years for adults or five years for minors. After that time, you can renew them using a streamlined process. You’ll send in the passport card or book and your identifying documents, and they’ll be returned to you in a few weeks.
Acceptable Forms of Travel
Passport cards are only valid for domestic flights, land crossings, and certain sea ports of entry in Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. However, passport books can be used on all flights and border crossings worldwide.
Visa Requirements
A passport card cannot be used to apply for a visa; all countries that accept this document do not require visas. You must have a passport book for a country that requires a visa.
Ease of Carrying
A passport card is about the same size as a driver’s license, making it the perfect size to put in your wallet when you need multiple forms of identification or don’t drive. On the other hand, a passport book is much larger and should be carried in a special passport carrier to protect it from damage.
Which One is Right for You?
Deciding between passport cards and passport books requires considering your most common forms of travel. A passport card may be a more affordable and convenient way to prove citizenship if you generally stay around North America, including Canada, Mexico, and some Caribbean countries.
Those who often head overseas should invest in a passport book, as it is required when flying internationally. You will also need a passport book if you travel anywhere requiring a visa; a passport card will not be enough.
Frequent travelers get both a passport book and passport card for maximum flexibility. They can carry the passport book for international air travel or leave it at home and use only their passport card if they travel by land and sea.
How to Apply for a Passport Card or Book
The passport book and card have the same application process. You can request both when you complete your passport application.
To apply for a passport card or passport book, complete the US State Department’s application and gather your necessary paperwork. This includes:
- Completed application
- Proof of citizenship, which may be a birth certificate or naturalization document
- A photo ID
- If you don’t have a photo ID, at least two secondary identification documents, such as a Social Security card or student ID
- Photocopies of your documentation
- A passport photo
You’ll then head to a passport acceptance facility (your local library or post office) and have your documents sent to the State Department. Your passport officer will double-check everything is done correctly and then certify the document before sending it in for processing.
If this is your first time applying for a passport, you’ll pay a $35 fee in addition to the cost of your passport book or passport card. A passport book costs $130, and a passport card costs $30.
It can take up to eight weeks to receive your card or book, but you can pay for an expedited process, which can get you your documents in the mail in as little as two weeks. Your original documents, like your birth certificate, will also be sent back to you by mail.
When you renew your card or book, you don’t have to pay the $35 processing fee, but you will still have to pay the same price. You will send in your application and your old book or card, which will be sent to you along with your new IDs. Your old book or card will be voided.
Get the Right Passport for Your Travels
A passport book and passport card are valid forms of ID that allow you to travel internationally, but there are a few differences between them. You can only use the wallet-sized passport card at certain land and sea borders, including Canada, Mexico, and select Caribbean countries.
On the other hand, a passport book can be used worldwide and at every border, no matter whether you’re flying or sailing. They have the same application process, and you can apply for both simultaneously for added convenience.
Understanding the difference between these two types of ID will ensure that you’re prepared to head off to your next adventure. If you need help deciding between a passport book or passport card, or you’re ready to find your newest travel locale, contact us for helpful advice.