Aug 27 2010
A Look At US Passport Cards
For the convenience and safety of American citizens, the US State Department has provided the option of a lightweight card as identification when crossing certain borders. Also known as a PassCard, it became available in July 2008. So, what is it? Is it the right choice for you? Here is what you need to know about the United States passport card.
The card identifies a person as a US citizen and is a special alternative to the traditional passport booklet. It can be applied during travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean, but only when commuting by land or sea. It is not a valid method of identification for air travel, and cannot be used in travel to or from any other countries.
People who frequently cross borders for work or play may find several advantages in the passport card. The greatest purpose for the card is to benefit the population of Americans that live in border towns. It is the size of a credit card, so it easily fits in your wallet, and the price is lower than the booklet. It is also believed that these cards will decrease the wait times at the border.
There are special security features included in the card to help defend against forgery. The RFID chip gives off a radio frequency that can be read at the border. There is no personal information held on the chip and should not be of concern. This same chip is present in United States passport booklets and many debit and credit cards. For those that worry, a radio blocking sleeve comes with your card.
The price is what most people look at to make their final decision. The traditional booklet costs one hundred dollars, compare that to the forty five dollar price of the PassCard. Just like the booklet, the card is valid for ten years for those over the age of sixteen. Under sixteen years of age the card is valid for five years.
The process for getting a PassCard is the same as the passport booklet. If you have never owned a passport, you will need to find a passport facility and appear in person. Bring with you a form of identification and your naturalization papers or birth certificate as proof of US citizenship. Your proof of citizenship and two 2×2 pictures will be sent for processing with your application. Your birth certificate will be included in the mail with your new PassCard.
If you already have a passport there is no need to find a facility, the application can be sent by mail. You will still need to send proof of citizenship, but your passport can be used for this purpose. It will be returned to you in the mail with your card. You also have the option to renew your passport booklet and attain a new PassCard at the same time.
The United States passport card is made for North American travel, has a lower price than the passport booklet, and can easily fit into a wallet. Now that you know what it is, decide whether it is the right choice for you. There are many resources online that can assist you in obtaining your passport card.
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