The passport card was designed for the specific needs of northern and southern U.S. border communities with residents that cross the border frequently by land. The passport book is the only document approved for international air travel.
A passport book is always required to travel internationally. The only exception is that you may use a passport card in order to enter the United States by a land border crossing or at a sea port-of-entry. Passport cards cannot be used for international air travel.
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.
The U.S. passport book and U.S. passport card are both accepted as ID for domestic flights. You may not have heard about the U.S. passport card before. The passport card cannot be used for international air travel, but it is still a great ID to have in your wallet.
Passport cards have specific travel purposes
You're golden. Passport books allow U.S. nationals to travel by land, air, and sea to a cornucopia of countries all over the world. Whereas with passport cards, they are not valid for international air travel.
I applied for a passport card only: You may receive your newly-issued passport card and your citizenship documents in two separate mailings. You may wait 4 weeks after receiving your passport before you receive a second mailing with your citizenship documents. We only send the passport card via First Class Mail.
You cannot use the passport card to fly internationally. However, the TSA and airlines will accept a passport card as valid proof of identification for domestic flights in place of a Real ID.
Getting a Passport card takes 2-3 weeks, passport cards can on occasion be processed sooner than 2-3 weeks but always longer than a few days.
US citizens do not currently need a passport for domestic flights. While most people present a state-issued driver's license or a military ID, the Transportation Security Administration lists several acceptable forms of identification.
A passport card can be used as ID for domestic flights. It cannot be used for international air travel. Fits in your wallet, same size as a driver's license or legal permanent resident card.
You can use the passport card to reenter the United States at sea ports of entry from Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. However, if you are not able to return on the cruise ship for any reason (e.g., for an emergency evacuation, you will need a passport book to fly back to the United States.
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.
U.S. citizens must present a valid U.S. passport book or card, in addition to an entry permit (Forma Migratoria Multiple or FMM) issued by Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM). Travelers should be sure to enter Mexico with valid proof of automobile registration, even if remaining in the border zone.
Can I smile in my passport photo? Yes, but it must be a natural, unexaggerated smile. Both your eyes must be open.
The passport card was designed for the specific needs of northern and southern U.S. border communities with residents that cross the border frequently by land. The passport book is the only document approved for international air travel.
American Citizens Do Not Need Passports
If you are an American citizen, you do not need a passport to travel to Hawaii. You can use your driver's license or state-issued ID card as long as it is up-to-date and has your current address on it.
You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is not required that you obtain both. Note that there is no significant difference in processing time for a passport card versus a passport book. Both can be expedited, but some passport agencies do not expedite passport cards.
Flying to Cancun You will need your passport
For the purpose of flying into as well as out of Mexico, it is necessary. It must be a legitimate passport book and not just an ordinary passport card, as the card isn't valid to travel internationally.
Best way to apply for your passport
If you need to submit extra documents, the ten days processing time starts when we receive them. If you have already submitted a paper application, you cannot apply online. Passport Online is the fastest way to apply for or renew your passport.
Therefore, the fastest and most convenient way of getting to Cancun is to arrive by plane. In order to fly in and out of Mexico, a passport is essential. It must be a proper passport booklet and not just a passport card, because the card cannot be used for international air travel.
Because the passport card will be specifically designed to facilitate land and sea border crossings, it is not compatible with the global air environment, which is already set up for passport books.
Entry into Canada: Canadian law requires that all persons entering Canada carry proof of citizenship and identity. A valid U.S. passport, passport card, or NEXUS card satisfies these requirements for U.S. citizens.