Is a US Passport Card worth it?

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) accepts the passport card as ID for domestic flights. Use the passport card when entering the United States at land-border crossings and sea ports-of-entry from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. Do not use it for international air travel.

Is it better to get a passport card or book?

The most important difference between U.S. passport books and passport cards is that passport cards are not valid for international air travel; they’re only acceptable for land and sea border crossings between the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean.

What is a US passport card good for?

The U.S. Passport Card can be used to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry and is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. The passport card CANNOT be used for international travel by air.

Is a passport card necessary?

Both the passport card and passport book are proof of your U.S. citizenship and identity and thus can be used as an alternative form of ID. But, if you intend to travel outside those 20 nations or via plane within the next 10 years, the booklet proves necessary.

Should I carry my passport card in my wallet?

Don’t Store Your Passport or Passport Card in Your Wallet A passport or passport card, like any government-issued photo ID, can be a weapon used against your finances if it falls into the wrong hands, ID-theft experts warn.

Do I need a real ID if I have a passport card?

The short answer is, no. An official U.S. passport will get you through airport security and can be used in place of a Real ID. If you are only traveling domestically, you can use a Real ID or passport. If you are traveling internationally, you still need a valid passport.

Is a passport card the same as a passport?

Many people are interested to know the difference between a passport book and a passport card. The main difference is that passport books are valid for international traveling while passport cards are valid for traveling to several countries and only by sea or land.

How much is a new US passport?

Passport Prices & Fees

What is the difference between a passport and passport card?

The biggest difference between a passport book and passport card is the methods of travel that are eligible. While passport books can be used for all entry methods into an international country — whether air, land or sea — passport cards are limited to travel through land and sea borders only.

Can I apply for a passport book and passport card at once?

Yes. You can apply for both a passport book and passport card at the same time using either Form DS-11 (apply in person) or Form DS-82 (renew by mail – must be eligible). 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.

What are the requirements to get a passport in the US?

U.S. Passport Eligibility. To have a U.S. passport, you need to be a U.S. citizen by birth or naturalization or be a U.S. national. Passport Book and Passport Card. Depending on where you are traveling outside of the U.S., you will need to determine if you need a passport book or a passport card.

Is it better to carry a passport or a credit card?

However, the card is laminated and is the size of a credit card, so it’s easier and safer to keep with you at all times. It is also more convincing than a photo or photocopy of your passport. Carrying a card allows you to keep your passport book safely locked away for the time when you’re ready to leave the country.

How much does it cost to get a US passport book?

You can get both a passport book and a passport card for $175 ($140 application fee and $35 acceptance fee). Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults, and five years for travelers under age 16. The State Department’s website offers complete details and an online application form.