Passport book allows you to travel by land, sea and air. Where to collect the passport if you do not want it mailed to you and what to do when you receive it. Nowadays, its best to carry a valid passport any time you leave the country. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. 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. I believe getting the passport card is the same price as getting a passport book renewal.
Historically, the answer of whether you need a passport to go to canada was often no, at least for us citizens. 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. Common examples of acceptable identification include. 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. To enter canada, your passport book or card must be valid at the time of entry.
To enter the united states at land border crossings or sea portsofentry from canada, mexico, the. Bear in mind that you cant use a passport card to board international flights, so if you intend to take a bus to canada, but make your return journey by air, youll need to bring a valid passport book. Jan 21, 2019 historically, the answer of whether you need a passport to go to canada was often no, at least for us citizens. Do you need a passport to travel to canada or mexico. The passport card is only accepted at land and sea border crossings between the u. You cannot use a passport card when traveling by air internationally. A passport card can be used to enter the us states at land border crossing or seaportsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. In general, a passport is required to enter canada and return to the united states but there are some exceptions. You must have the original copies of all required documents. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips.
Jan 11, 2019 the passport card is only accepted at land and sea border crossings between the u. The passport card has benefits, but does not offer the same list of privileges as a traditional passport. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. It will otherwise carry the rights and privileges of the u. A passport book is required for all international travel by air.
A us passport card can only be used for land and sea travel to canada, mexico or the caribbean. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card. If you have a valid passport book, you do not have to get a passport card as well. Does a passport card work to go to canada by train. If for some reason while your on a cruise and you need to disembark unexpectedly and need to fly home from a foreign port only having a u. If you already hold a passport book, your card will be issued with a different number. We already have nexus passes for frequent crossers i. I live in canada and ive gotten into the us with the book. The application process for a passport card is very similar to applying for a passport.
You do not need a valid passport book in order to apply for a passport id card, and you can apply for either the card only, or you can apply for a passport book and a passport card at the same time. My passport book and card are expiring in 6 months, and id like to renew them, but i have a couple landentry trips to canada coming up that id like to use my passport card for. Here are more details about how to apply for a passport card. A passport card is cheaper than a passport book, but cant be used for air travel and. In order to apply for your first passport card, youll need the same documentation you need to apply for a passport book. Aug 10, 2012 in order to apply for your first passport card, youll need the same documentation you need to apply for a passport book. Us passport book and passport card online application. Do american citizens actually need a passport to travel to canada or mexico.
The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. Mar 16, 2020 canada passport requirements state that u. Canada is our closest neighbor to the north, but u. Feb 12, 2019 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. In some cases, it is possible to present evidence of u. They are valid for five years from the date of issue, just like a minor passport book. If you are driving to canada, you do not always need to fill out a passport application for a book first.
Passport requirements by bus to canada getaway usa. Include name change documents if applicable if the name you are currently using is different from the name on your most recent u. How to apply for a new passport card rush my passport. Acquire a first time canada passport card with cibtvisas. Find out about electronic travel authorization eta canada. I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time.
It is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors under 16. If you are applying for both a book and a card at the. An adult passport card looks similar to a drivers license, and is valid for ten years. An eta is electronically linked to a travellers passport. In order to apply for a passport book by mail, your current passport must meet the following requirements. For canada crossings, nexus card no longer beats a us passport. You will need to fill in an official form and present identification and proof of citizenship. Normally, when a person obtains a passport, this is what he or she will receive.
Canadian law requires that all persons entering canada carry both proof of citizenship and proof of identity, according to the u. In a short period of time, passport services received over 350,000 applications for the passport card. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. Travel articles do you need a passport or a passport card. However, if youre going on a caribbean cruise departing from the u. The passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. Your passport book can be used in any situation where a passport card could be used, but you may find that it is convenient for you to also have a passport card. It is valid for up to five years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. Excellent form of official identification for children or nondrivers. If you book a flight to toronto or another canadian city and enter canada by air, you need a valid us passport with at least three months validity to enter canada. The card may not be used to travel by air outside the united states.
You can use this credit card sized document to reenter the united states from mexico, canada, bermuda and the caribbean when traveling by land or sea. Since john will be driving between buffalo, new york and toronto, canada at least once each quarter, he can use the passport card, but if he drives one way from buffalo to toronto and flies home, hell need a passport book for the flight. Find out how to protect yourself from fraud when applying for a passport. Find out about canadian passports and the advantages of an epassport. Anyone who will travel internationally by air must have a passport book. Citizen passport requirement the western hemisphere travel initiative whti when fully implemented on june 1, 2009, will require all travelers to and from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda to present a valid passport or other approved document that establishes the bearers identity and citizenship in order to. Did you know the term passport can actually refer to two different documents a passport book and a passport card. Aug 10, 2012 a passport book is bigger than a passport card. Your old passport book and or card will be returned to you, but generally it will come in a separate mailing from your new passport. However, before you apply for a new passport card, consider carefully whether or not you might be better off getting a us passport book. The passport card will facilitate entry and expedite document processing at u.
A passport card is valid for travel to and from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda at land border crossings and sea portsofentry. A passport book is valid for any international travel by air, sea or land. You will need a passport book if you plan to travel by airplane. If you are traveling on to europe, youll need a passport with at least three months of remaining validity from. While the book can still be used to cross by land into canada or mexico, it can be a little cumbersome to carry a full book when a card conveniently fits in any wallet. If youre renewing your passport book and passport card, you must submit both documents. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. Jul 02, 2018 do i need a passport to drive to canada. 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. I live in canada and i ve gotten into the us with the book. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. Cibtvisass first time passport card service provides a convenient and inexpensive way to meet entry requirements when you visit the countries of bermuda, canada, the caribbean, or mexico. When you apply for a passport card, youll spend less money than you would when.
Can i renew my usa passport book and passport card separately. Im not sure about the card, but the book doesnt take that excessively long to get it, but thats in canada. Well help you determine whether you want or need to pay extra for the passport card. Its true your drivers license or a birth certificate will not get you across the border into canada or mexico anymore nor will it get you back into the usa at the end of your trip. If you can submit a passport book, but you lost your passport card, you cannot. The passport card is also commonly used for travelers that wish to take a cruise but do not plan on ever traveling by plane. Do you know the difference between a passport and a passport card. If you get a new passport, you need to get a new eta. Jun 02, 2018 while the book can still be used to cross by land into canada or mexico, it can be a little cumbersome to carry a full book when a card conveniently fits in any wallet.
If you already have a passport book, you might be able to apply for your very first passport card by mail. Today, however, it depends upon how you plan to enter canada. Your old passport book andor card will be returned to you, but generally it will come in a separate mailing from your new passport. If you are applying for a passport, youll need to consider whether to get a passport book or a passport card. Remember that you can also carry a passport card for land travel to canada. Differences between a passport book and passport card. While both passport book and card are valid to cross into canada by train, united states citizens over the age of 16 also have several alternative options. Department of state passport services recently began issuing the passport card as an alternative to the traditional passport book. 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. You can use this creditcardsized document to reenter the united states from mexico, canada, bermuda and the caribbean when traveling by land or sea. 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. Do you need a passport card and book to go from the us to.
As a result, there may be different documentation you can use if you need to travel to canada by automobile or sea vessel. I m not sure about the card, but the book doesnt take that excessively long to get it, but thats in canada. Department of state has a simpletoread list of facts. I suggest you get the card since you are going on a cruise. An electronic travel authorization eta is an entry requirement for visaexempt foreign nationals travelling to canada by air. If you are applying for both a book and a card at the same time, you only need to submit one passport photo. It can also be used for domestic air travel in the usa. For those traveling by land or water, you will need a passport, passport card, nexus card, enhanced drivers license, or another western hemisphere travel initiativecompliant document to enter canada, and will need to show these documents again to return to the u. No passport card can be used for international air travel, even to a country that does allow entry with a passport card by land or sea. Carry both the card and the passport book in case of an emergency and you need to fly home. A passport book is the official bookstyle document that allows a us citizen to travel internationally by land, sea or air.
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