Passport Card Facts and FAQ
The passport card - a smaller, cheaper, and more convenient alternative to the traditional passport book - is not for everyone. Who is it for? How do you obtain one? What does it look like? These and other frequently asked questions are answered below.What is a passport card?
A passport card serves the same purpose as a passport book - it attests to your United States citizenship and your identity.
The card is a fully valid passport just like the traditional passport book; however, it is similar in size to a credit card or driver's license. It contains a vicinity-read radio frequency identification (RFID) chip containing all of your pertinent information.
What does the passport card look like?
Below are images of the front and back of the card before the applicant's photo and data are printed on them.
Who is the passport card for?
The passport card was created to facilitate the frequent travel of Americans living in border communities. It can only be used for land and sea travel between the U.S. and Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.What's the difference between a passport book and a passport card?
A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose: proving your U.S. citizenship and identity. All American citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and re-enter the United States. A passport is also required when entering, exiting, and traveling between foreign countries.
Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card.
The passport card's smaller size makes it more convenient than the traditional U.S. passport book. It is also notably cheaper to get a passport card than a standard passport book. However, a passport card is only useful in limited situations. Conversely, a passport book is valid for all types of travel (land, sea or air) to any destination.
You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is not required that you obtain both. Note that there is no significant difference in processing time for a passport card versus a passport book. Both can be expedited, but some passport agencies do not expedite passport cards.
Authorizing a registered expediter such as RushMyPassport to submit your passport application can ensure the fastest processing times for your passport card and/or passport book application.
Should you choose a passport card or a passport book?
Simply put, applying for a passport card only makes sense if you meet the following criteria:
- You do not plan to leave or enter the United States by air
- You only plan to travel to Bermuda, Canada, Mexico, and/or the Caribbean.
- Both of the above apply to your anticipated plans for the next 10 years.
The alternative is the traditional U.S. passport book. The book version comes in both a standard, 24-page version and a bigger, 52-page version for those who travel frequently.
As long as your passport is not significantly damaged, you should be able to apply for a renewal by mail.
Under normal circumstances, applications are processed in 4-6 weeks. You can request expedited service to get it done in 2-3 weeks. These processing times can be longer in certain circumstances.
To get a passport more quickly, you need to make an appointment at a regional agency. Again, all agencies issue passport books but not all of them issue passport cards.
How many passport cards have been issued?
The passport card has only been around since July 14, 2008. Only 189,560 cards were issued that year. Just a few years later, the number of passport cards issued rose to over one million. Due to this growth, more and more questions are sent to us about this travel document.
Where can a U.S. citizen apply for a passport card?
If you are applying for a passport for the first time, you can do so at one of the 8,400 Passport Application Acceptance Facilities across the country. Most facilities require an appointment and many have limited spots available.
If you already have a passport book and are eligible to use Form DS-82, you may apply for the passport card by mail.What documents will I need in order to apply for a passport card?
The passport card is a fully valid passport that attests to the U.S. citizenship and identity of the bearer. As such, the passport card is adjudicated to the exact standards as the traditional passport book. Applicants must provide documents that attest to their U.S. citizenship such as birth and naturalization certificates or a previously issued passport. An identification document, copy of an ID, and a passport photo are also required.
For specific instruction on how to apply for a new U.S. passport card, see how to apply for a passport. If you already have a traditional passport book and you are eligible to submit Form DS-82, you may apply for a passport card as a Renewal by Mail - even if it is your first passport card!How much does the passport card cost?
The first passport card for an adult costs $65 and $50 for any minor under the age of 16. This includes the $35 execution fee. Adults who received their most recently issued traditional passport when they were age 16 or older can apply for the passport card at a cost of $30, as long as their traditional passport is still valid or has expired no more than 5 years ago.How long does it take to receive your passport card?
It takes the same amount of time for the U.S. Department of State Passport Services to process and issue a passport card as it does for a traditional passport book. This process can take from 4 weeks to 3 months, depending on the demand at the time that you apply.Can a passport card application be expedited?
Yes, you can request expedited passport service when you submit the application. There is an additional fee of $60 for this service. Expedited processing takes up to 3 weeks by mail.
If you need to get one in less than 2 weeks, several, but not all, passport agencies expedite passport cards. Applicants who need to obtain the travel document this quickly, but are unable to visit a regional agency in person, can authorize a registered expediter - such as Rush My Passport - to submit the application for them.Additional FAQ About Passport Cards
Click the links below to see the answers to questions that other visitors have submitted.
Where can I look to see the status up-date for the processing of a Passport Card?Question: I submitted the forms and documents needed for a Passport Card, including my Passport. My check was cashed, but I can't located the status...
Will a passport card be sufficient for a child or adult traveling to Bahamas from the U.S.
Question: If we are traveling to Bahamas from US, will a passport card
work fine for that, and will it last for 5 years like the passport book
does for...
Should I get a passport card for my children instead of a passport book when traveling on a cruise to Bahamas?
Question: We are traveling with a 4 and 2 year old on a Disney cruise.
We fly from Maryland to Florida where we board our ship and sail to the
Bahamas...
Passport Card in addition to Passport Book
Question: If my US passport book does not expire for 6 more years, can
I complete the DS-82 for a passport card without renewing my passport
book?...
My son lost his passport card--NOT his passport. What do we need to do?
Question: My 12 year old son lost his wallet and it contained his small
passport card, with the passport number on it. He DID NOT lose his
passport...
Can I get a passport card for my honeymoon so I don't have to pay the extra cost of a passport book?
Question: My fiance and I are planning a honeymoon, but its based on
whether we will have a passport. I'd rather pay the $55 pp for the
passport card ...
I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to Barbados.
Question: I currently have a passport card that was issued in June
2009. I will be needing to get a passport book within the next couple
of years so ...
Can you use the passport card instead of the passport book when traveling to Bahamas?
Question: Travel from metro Detroit to Bahamas do I need a book passport or card passport?
Answer: The Bahamian government only requires proof of...
Question: What's the difference between a passport book and a passport card? Do I need both? My passport was issued to me when i was 17 years old and ...
Can I renew a passport book that is not expired for a passport card and change the name?
Question: I will be traveling this Feb. 2011 to Mexico (cruise) and
would prefer to renew my passport just in case of an emergency. I have
two children...
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Top 5 Questions About Expedited Passport Couriers
2. What exactly does a passport expediter do?
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