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The passport card serves as a legitimate federal ID mainly intended for travelers visiting Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean via land and sea routes. Resembling the size and shape of a driver’s license, it conveniently fits into your wallet. Please note that the passport card is applicable for specific types of international travel and cannot be utilized for air travel. To obtain a new passport card, you will need to follow one of the following application procedures:
How to Get a Passport Card If You Already Have a US Passport
If you already have a US passport, you may be able to apply for a new passport card using passport renewal form DS-82. To use this option, your current US passport must be undamaged and in your possession. Also, it must be less than 15 years since it was issued, and if your name has changed in the interim, you need official documentation of the name change. Finally, in order to apply for a passport card by mail, your passport must have been issued when you were 16 or older. If you are eligible to apply by mail, fill out the form and send it in along with:
- Your passport
- Legal proof of any name change, if applicable
- One recent passport photo
- A check or money order for the government fee
If you don’t have a passport already or are otherwise ineligible to apply by mail, you’ll need to do the following:
How to Get a Passport Card for the First Time
- Fill out form DS-11, Application for a New Passport.
- Pay the fees: a $30 application fee and a $35 execution fee if you are over 16, and a $15 application fee and a $35 execution fee if you are under 16.
- Submit passport photo.
- Submit proof of identification and proof of citizenship.
- Visit Passport Acceptance Facility for adjudication of your documents.
The Importance of Traveling with a Passport
Before applying for a new passport card, it is crucial to weigh the advantages of obtaining a US passport book as well. While the US passport card is suitable for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean, it has limitations. It can be utilized for domestic air travel within the USA, but it cannot be used for international air travel to any other country.
In times of crisis or urgent situations, international travel plans may need to be altered or adjusted quickly. Having a passport book allows you to navigate various scenarios with more flexibility. It enables you to travel to any country in the world, regardless of the mode of transportation, whether it’s by land, sea, or air.
Having a passport book as a part of your travel documentation ensures that you are prepared for any unforeseen circumstances and can swiftly respond to emergencies, providing you with the necessary access and support when you need it most.
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I have a passport card only, at the time of renewal using form ds-82 can I ask for both passport types, card and book? THANK YOU.
Yes, we recommend having both.
I currently have a passport card only. What process do I need to get a passport book?
You will complete the passport renewal process.
If my passport book is current and I just want to add a Passport Card. How do I do that? I don’t want to renew my passport Book. Is there a way around that?
You can apply for a Passport Card only by going through the passport renewal process. Consider including a written and signed statement explaining that you’re only applying for the card, to ensure the DOS keeps your passport book current.
I have a current passport and wish to add a passport ID. I do not want my passport to be destroyed. In addition I do plan domestic travel within the next 4 weeks and use my passport, is there anyway that I can have the passport returned prior to the issuance of the passport ID?
Joan,
I would not risk that timeframe at this point. To add a passport card to a passport book, you must surrender it as it is considered a passport renewal. They will issue you a new book and card. They do this because they must be linked up and have the same photo.
I have a US passport already but with to also apply for the card. You stated that I have renew my passport to get the passport card and that I can write a signed statement stating that I like to keep my unexpired passport book, do I still have to pay the passport renewal fee or just for the passport card fee?
Jeannette,
You will still need to surrender the passport book to renew a book or a card. The DOS will return the expired passport back to you, but there will be holes put in it, to show it is no longer valid. That way you can keep it as a momento. There is no way around this part. Sorry!
I think it’s great because I don’t carrie the pasport book inside the country .
I have a current unexpired passport book that I use for international travel. I’d like to add a card for frequent border crossings that I make into Canada. If I mail my current passport book with my passport card application DS-82, will they void my book? How do I get a card but also keep my current unexpired book?
You will apply for a passport renewal. Include a signed statement explaining that you want the passport card issued and the passport book returned. If you’re traveling soon, please call us and we can help you expedite the renewal so you’re not waiting 6-8 weeks for your passport.
I’m flying from Boston to Puerto Rico, then boarding a cruise ship to the Caribbean; St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Antigua, St. Lucia, Barbados, back to Puerto Rico, back to Boston.
Will the passport card be sufficient?
It sounds like you are doing a closed-loop cruise, in which case the passport card is sufficient. However, the Dept of State highly recommends a passport book in case you need to fly home for an emergency. Or if you get stuck on any of your stops, you would not be able to fly without the book.
Thank you!
Thanks for sharing this important information. Yes, the passport card can only be used to travel easily to and from nearby countries by land and sea. But if you travel by flight, it will not be valid and can leave you stranded.
This site says passport card cannot be used for air travel, perhaps you should specify which kind of air travel; Seatac aiport site says it can be used as ID for domestic air travel.
Thank you for the request for clarification. We added some additional context to help travelers understand that the passport card cannot be used for international air travel. It can be used for all domestic air travel within the USA though.
I had heard there were exceptions to where you can use a passport card besides what you mention. Can this be done at a DMV office?
No, it cannot be done at the DMV. We are not aware of any other exceptions as we go by the information listed on the Passport Agency website.