Latest update April 7th, 2025 6:08 AM
U.S. Passport Card portable alternative to U.S. Passport
U.S. citizens may apply for a U.S. Passport Card for use during certain international travel and as an identity/nationality document. The passport card will facilitate entry and expedite document processing at U.S. land and sea ports-of-entry when arriving from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. The card may not be used to travel by air.
It will otherwise carry the rights and privileges of the U.S. passport book and will be adjudicated to the exact same standards. The Department of State issues this passport card that is less expensive and a more portable alternative to the traditional passport book. The card has the same validity period as a passport book: 10 years for an adult, five for children 15 and younger.
HOW MUCH DOES THE PASSPORT CARD COST?
Adults age 16 and older applying for the first-time will pay $55 and previous passport holders will pay $30 for the passport card. Children will pay $40 for a passport card. The passport card is especially a good idea for minor children since they usually do not a driver’s license or ID card to prove their identity.
HOW TO APPLY FOR A U.S. PASSPORT CARD?
If you are interested in applying for a U.S. passport card and you have a U.S. passport book and are eligible to use Form DS-82, you may apply for the card by mail. If you are interested in applying for a U.S. passport card but you have never had a U.S. passport book, you must apply in person using Form DS-11. All passport cards will be returned using First Class Mail. Passport cards cannot be shipped to you using overnight delivery
HOW SECURE IS THE CARD?
To facilitate the frequent travel of U.S. citizens living in border communities and to meet the Department of Homeland Security operational needs at land borders, the passport card will contain a vicinity-read Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip. This chip will link the card to a stored record in secure government databases.
Because the wallet-sized passport card does not offer as many opportunities to embed security features as a passport book, the Department uses laser engraving and state-of-the-art security features to mitigate against the possibility of counterfeiting and forgery. There will be no personal information written to the RFID chip.
For more information, contact Gail Law Firm:
Email: Gail@GailLaw.com
Phone: 1-877-GAIL-LAW or 407-292-7730
www.MyOrlandoImmigrationLawyer.com
FREE in-office consultation – FREE Live Chat
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Anticipation without preparation
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- The Vice President of Guyana, ever the sagacious observer of the inevitable, has reassured... more
Weekend Cartoon
