Enhanced drivers license many people may not know but depending on the state that you live in a third option is available to you. A passport card is for land and sea travel, so unless you live near the border and go back and forth a lot, you really only need the passport book. The large passport book is 52 pages 44 page for passport stamps compared to only 28 pages for the regular book 20 pages for passport stamps. I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time. If you want the 52page book, you must check the large book box. Also called tourist passports, regular passports, and ordinary passports, the passport book with the blue cover is the one issued to the vast majority of us citizens. Youll just need to check the large book box on your application form. It really depends on how much you are moving around. 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. A passport card is cheaper to get but is only valid for travel to canada, mexico and the caribbean islands. While issuing the 52page variant may be at the discretion of the office, they seem to give it to basically anyone.
The irish passport card is a travel document that irish citizens can use for certain travel instead of the standard passport book. 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. Only available for passport book applicants in the united states not canada. Just write a signed letter stating you would still like to use the visas in your expiring passport book. You will get the passport book back, if you still wanted to use any visas in your old passport. It lasts the same length of time as the book but you are limiting your travel. There is no reason to ever get a passport card, unless you only travel to canada, mexico or caribbean. The state department accepts checks and money orders. That seems simple enough and the passport card is somewhat cheaper and definitely smaller than the passport book form we have all come to recognize so if im going on a cruise to the carribean, wouldnt it be a no brainer to get the card. Passport card is wallet sized document while passport book size is 5. Of the internal pages, 17 are blank pages marked visas that are meant for travel visas and country entry and exit stamps. To ensure the images meet passport application standards, get them from a drugstore or large retailer like target or walmart, which will quickly prepare your photos for just a few dollars. Jun 20, 2019 passport book is valid for international travel by air, sea, or land. The state department offers standard four to sixweek processing and expedited two to threeweek processing on the application form.
Again, this is only if you want a passport card but youve never had a passport before. Whether you get the passport bookcard both are valid for 10 years. Adult passports are valid for 10 years and may be renewed by mail. Well help you determine whether you want or need to pay extra for the passport card. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. Ds11 only has options under have you ever had either a passport cardbook for no, loststolen, or submitted with application. Passport cards are wallet sized while the passport book is larger and thicker. The passport book is a little more expensive, but there arent any restrictions. Passport book is valid for international travel by air, sea, or land. Jan 18, 2019 you will have to send in your current passport book to obtain a renewal passport. In addition to a regular passport, the passport book, u. Getting a passport isnt that difficult, but it can be a bit of a hassle as there are several steps to take. According to 2014 united states guidelines for passports, passport photos must be color and printed on photoquality paper. In the united states, passport books verify citizenship and right to reenter ones home country such as the united states of america.
Btw, i mailed the renewal on 422 and received my new passport on 515 much quicker than i had expected. Standard processing takes 46 weeks, not including the time it takes for your new passport book to get to you. Im currently a freshman in college and am planning on studying abroad in europe within the next school year. 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.
Passport card is also valid for international travel but by land or sea only. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. Differences between a passport book and passport card. Frequent travelers should consider requesting the 52 page passport book when applying for a passport. The complete guide to offshore residency, dual citizenship and second passports robert e. I recently renewed my old us passport that was set to expire in february 2012. If you plan to be traveling a lot, get the 52 page passport. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. Passport books a guide on all united states passport books. However, the card is very convenient with youre traveling to those select countries. 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.
This service is not available for passport card applicants. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. If you think that your children might need a passport book in the near future, then you might want to apply for this. If, however, you get the 28 version and later have to add pages, it will cost for those pages to be added. I recently found out that the us passport comes in two sizes.
Im filling out the paperwork for my first passport book and im a little uncertain as to whether or not to get the nonstandard size. To start, you will need to know whether you want a passport book, passport card, or both. Do not choose overnight return delivery for an extra fee. Once you learn that there are different places where you can submit a passport application, you may wonder which facility is the best option for you. The word large is misleading, since both types of passports have the same dimensions, but the book with extra pages is thicker. Difference between passport book and passport card. Should i get a passport card to go along with my passport. Photos must measure 2 inches by 2 inches in size and feature the subject in a size that measures between 1. The passport card is a wallet side document that will be used to expedite document processing from the u. Large 54 page usa passport international travel news. The passport bookcard will be sent to the mailing address you provided on your application. But, the passport card can only be used for international travel by land and sea. The passport book paperback august 1, 2004 by robert e. I got a new 52page passport when i was 17 with no stamps on my previous passport by simply checking large book in my renewal form without paying anything extra or anything at all for that matter, it was with a ds5504.
If you are thinking about applying for or renewing a u. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card. Since it doesnt cost extra, i dont see any reason you wouldnt just go for the larger book. Theres now an option to get the thicker 52page version instead of the regular 28page version, with both costing the same. The primary justification i had for doing so was tha. However, if you get a passport card, it cannot be used for travel by air. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. Should i get a passport book, card, or both for a cruise. The standard passport comes with 28 pages only 17 are for visas and the large passport comes with 52 pages i assume only 44 pages are for visas. Icao recommendations also cover the size of the photo on the passport and the type of background it should have. Standard passport books have 17 blank pages, but you can actually start with more. Oct 07, 2017 whether you get the passport book card both are valid for 10 years.
If youre thinking of going on a cruise, the passport card might be nice when you need a from of identification to get on and off the ship. The passport book is the regular passport that youve seen before. Should i opt for the 52 page us passport when renewing. It is appropriate for all travel purposes except for travel for us government purposes, including tourist travel, business travel, flight crew travel, and travel.
You can mail your renewal application directly to the state department yourself. Passport card or book for my kids to go to the bahamas via. Because of public health measures to prevent the spread of covid19. I lost my passport card, and i would like to apply for a new one to make use of the expedited rfid lanes at the mexican border. Jun, 2019 standard processing takes 46 weeks, not including the time it takes for your new passport book to get to you. If you use a travel wallet, a large number of them believe me i have looked do not accommodate the 52 pager that well. The passport card is designed to be a less expensive and more portable alternative to the passport book.
Globetrotters with lots of passport stamps who want to hang onto their old passport as a memento should know that old passports do get returned usually with a hole punched in the cover, though. Passports are nontransferable identification documents that are issued by the united states state department for. Types of us passport books get your passport book today. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. You can use the passport card when traveling in the european union, the european economic area which includes iceland, liechtenstein and norway and switzerland. The complete guide to offshore residency, dual citizenship and second passports paperback january 1, 2009 by robert e. Us should i get the standard or large passport book. I didnt have my passport with me but i did have my c. Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages. Filling a 52page passport in 8 months of heavy travel is not out of the question itself. The passport book is sent separately from the passport card. If not, then the passport card should suffice for your trip to the bahamas. See all 5 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. The date was a sad one for many passport holders, who were forced to stop adding additional pages to their travel documents due to the department of states decision to restrict extra visa pages.
The requirements are the same for the passport card as those for the passport book. Aug 26, 2018 the large passport book is 52 pages 44 page for passport stamps compared to only 28 pages for the regular book 20 pages for passport stamps. New passport and renewal passport applicants can request the 52 page passport book for no additional cost. In most instances, applicants will either need to visit a passport agency or office to submit their materials. Getting a 52page passport international travel news. This will be for a full semester about four months so ill obviously need to get a visa as well. If you travel a lot, i would recommend getting the passport book with extra pages. With standard processing, you should submit your application no later than 8 weeks before your travel date. I would still get the 52 pager again, but just one thought. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. If your travel plans take you to a country bordering the u. The passport book comes with either the standard 28 pages or the extended 52 pages. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card. To protect yourself against emergency situations, go with a passport book, which covers all international travel by air, sea or land.
How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. How much traveling would one have to do each year on average for them to need more. When i last renewed my passport i decided to pay the extra few bucks for a passport card and im glad i did. Net, if you travel a lot, go with the 52 page version and save the cost of reapplying for the addition of more pages. There is no extra cost for the larger passport book. If you already have a passport, use form ds82 to apply for a passport card by mail and avoid the execution fee. For example, if youre traveling on april 24, 2015, you should submit your application no later than february 27.
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