Find Out About The Passport Card

In July 2008, the US State Department decided to provide a card for use as identification when crossing North American borders. It is also referred to as a PassCard and is intended for the convenience of Americans. What countries can it be used in? Who really benefits from using it? Find out what you need to know about the passport card.

The PassCard is a new alternative to the conventional passport booklet as a way of identifying yourself as a US citizen. When travelling by land or sea, it can successfully be used when returning from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. It will not be accepted for travel by air and is not a valid travel document for any other countries.

The card has benefits for people who commute heavily throughout countries in North America, or live in border towns. It is the same size as a credit card and can fit in your wallet. It also has a more economical price for those who get around, but don't often see themselves traveling outside of North America. The expectation is that these cards will also reduce the wait lines at the border.

There are certain security features involved to protect the PassCard from counterfeiting. The RFID chip helps the security process at the border, but there is no personal identification information held within the chip. The passport booklet and many credit and debit cards also have the same kind of chip. For those who feel that it is necessary, a sleeve is given with the card that blocks transfer of information.

Many people that choose the PassCard are attracted to the price. Compare the forty five dollar passport card to the one hundred dollar cost of the traditional booklet. Both are valid for the same amount of time. For those under the age of sixteen, a passport is valid for ten years. It needs to be renewed after five years for children under sixteen years of age.

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 2x2 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 application is very simple, the card form is convenient, and the price is economical. If North American travel is all that your require, perhaps the passport card would be good for you. There are many places on the internet that can help you with getting a passport card of your own.