What is a passport?
A passport book from the United States is a travel document that can be used to travel internationally by land, air, and sea.
Your passport book's validity will be valid for 5 years if you are younger than 16.
Your passport will be valid for 10 years if you are older than 16 years.
When it is closed, the U.S. passport size book measures 5'' X 3''.
You can have your passport in book format with visas and stamps you acquired before or during your visit to foreign countries.
Cost of passport book
For first-time applicants over 16 years old, you'll need to pay a $145.00 passport fee. However, for an American passport book under 16, you will need to pay $115.00. This fee will be $110 if you wish to renew your passport by mail.
The urgent passport book price includes delivery which takes one (one) to two (two), days and costs $17.13. The usual processing times for expedited pass books are between 4 (fourth) and 6 (6(6) weeks, and 2 (two (2) weeks).
Passport books have many advantages
The passport book has the advantage over a card. A passport can also be used to travel internationally by using a book version. It also contains 17 pages that can be used to obtain visas or stamps for travel abroad. Passport books make it easier to obtain visas for international travel. The U.S. passport book is also proof of your US citizenship.
What is a passport book?
The official United States document known as the passport card can be used at both land and seaports in several countries.
Although the U.S. passport card cannot be used to travel internationally, they can be used as an alternative to state-issued ID documents.
The official United States document known as a passport card can be used at both land and seaports in several countries. Although the U.S. passport card cannot be used to travel internationally by air, they can be used as an alternative to ID documents issued by states.
If you are less than 16, the validity of your U.S. passport card will be valid for 5 (five) year. If you are over 16, your United States passport card is valid for 10 (ten).
Here is a list of territories and countries where the U.S. Passport card can be used
- Canada
- Mexico
- The Bahamas
- Anguilla
- Bermuda
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Aruba
- Dominica
- British Virgin Islands
- Cayman Islands
- Dominican Republic
- Grenada
- Saint Lucia
- Caribbean Netherlands
- Jamaica
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Montserrat
- Turks and Caicos Islands
Cost of passport card
U.S. passport cards cost less than U.S. passport books.
For a first-time applicant, those over 16 years old pay $65 for an American passport card. You will need to pay $50 for a passport card if you are younger than 16.
Mail is the best option for renewing a US passport card. It costs $30. Your card can be sent faster by opting for First Class mail.
The average processing time for the expedited card is 4 (four) to 6 (6) weeks. It takes 2 (two (2) weeks).
The advantages of passport cards
The main advantage of the passport card's convenience is its compact size that can be carried around in your wallet. It can also be used at land and sea border crossings, as well as ports of entry for destinations like Bermuda, Canada, Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean.
If you are planning to travel to such an international destination via closed-loop cruises, you will be able to obtain a passport card. It is accepted as identification and can be used in the same way as a birth certificate.
You can use your passport card as proof of identity when you board domestic flights. The U.S. passport card is cheaper than the American passport book. This will help you save money. A U.S. passport can also be used to identify non-drivers or children.
The passport book and the passport card have some differences
Many people aren't sure what the difference is between a passport card and a book.
The most important is that passport books can be used for international travel. Passport cards, however, are only valid to travel to a limited number of countries and only via land or sea.
Although passport cards can't contain visas or stamps they are very useful for people who frequently cross the border with Mexico, Canada or the Caribbean by land or water.
A passport in card or book form has a different size than a card form. The U.S. passport cards are smaller than the passport books. Both passport cards and books are approved documents by the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, just as with the U.S. driver’s license.
Do you need a passport card or book?
Do you want to know if I should get a passport book or a card? A traditional passport book is required if you plan to travel internationally by plane. You don't need a passport card if you have a valid passport book.
People who cross the border frequently by land between Canada and Mexico will find the passport card more useful. It is also ideal for those who do not have a driver's licence and require an ID document.
Cruise passengers should have both a passport and book in case of emergency. It is convenient to have both your passport card as well as a book for international travel.
Passport Photo Online - Get your passport photos
You will need to complete a passport application. AiPassportPhoto is a great tool that can create a professional US passport book and/or US passport card photos in just seconds.
Upload a photo to the website of our US passport image editor to see it transformed into a picture that meets all the official requirements.
Before you receive the final version, our app will verify that your ID photo is compliant with all government requirements. This will ensure that your passport card or book photo is accurate and conforms to the official US standards for size, composition and light distribution.
You will only be charged for the verified photo and you won't have to pay for any retakes.
Passport Photo Online offers a double-money-back guarantee. This is how confident we feel about the success of our document photography app.
Passport book versus passport card - wrap up
You need to consider which foreign countries you are planning to visit and how you will be traveling there in order to determine if a passport book or card is better for you.
A passport card is sufficient if you plan to travel to the Caribbean, Bermuda, Canada, Mexico, or Mexico by sea or land.
You will need a valid passport book if you are visiting any foreign country while on a flight.
While there are many benefits to both, it is best to have as many government IDs as possible for safety and travel purposes.
FAQ: Passport card, passport book
Is it possible to use passport cards as an identification form when travelling to Europe by sea?
No. No. Passport cards cannot be used as ID at European ports-of-entry. You will need a traditional passport book.
If I have a valid passport, do I need to bring my certificate of birth with me on a closed-loop cruise?
If you have a passport, you don't need to take your certificate of birth.
How much does a passport card cost compared to a book?
A passport card is $65 for adults and $50 for kids, while a book costs $165 for adults and $135 respectively.
Can my passport be used for domestic flights?
Absolutely. Yes. Your passport card can be used as identification to fly domestically. It is equivalent to a driver's licence or passport book.
Do I need a passport card and book?
You don't. The U.S. passport card can be used by people who travel frequently to Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean (by sea or land). A U.S. passport card is an international travel document that can be recognized at all borders. The U.S. citizen can choose which document is best suited to their travel needs.
Which foreign countries are allowed to be visited with a passport card?
While you can travel to Bermuda, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Mexico, please keep in mind that they must be land- or sea-bound crossings/ports for entry.
Why do you need both a passport booklet and a card?
A passport card is more convenient for frequent travellers because it is smaller and can be used for land-based travel to Canada or Mexico. You can also use the passport book to reserve international air travel.
Do I require a passport card even if I have my passport book?
You don't. The passport book is a document that allows citizens of the United States to travel to any country (by air, sea, or land) internationally. The passport card, which is more specific to North America, allows holders to travel to Canada, Mexico and Bermuda by land or water.