Travel Tips

Posts Tagged ‘passport id card’

In today’s world, it is a good idea to have photo identification on hand at all times, even for domestic travel. In the case of international travel, this is not only advised, but required, and yet many people still do not have a passport. For travel that does not require a flight, a United States passport card ID is a convenient alternative to a typical passport.

Passport cards are official documents that the Department of State issues and they look very much like a normal driver’s license. It is actually a great alternative form of identification for people who may not have a valid driver’s license for some reason. More than 2 million cards have been granted to US citizens since they were initially introduced in the summer of 2008.

The major difference between a conventional passport and a passport card is that the card is not a valid credential for air travel outside of the United States. It can be used, however, for crossing the border in and out of America by land or sea. It is acceptable for travel in and out of the United States from Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or the Bahamas. This means it is ideal for cruises or road trips, but bear in mind that it is not to be used for any flight, even to Mexico or Canada.

Although the card is not valid for all travel, there are many reasons that it is a handy thing to have. Anyone who has traveled outside of the country knows what it is like to check luggage and backpacks over and over to make sure the passports are still where they left them. Passport cards are the size and shape of a credit card, so they are easy to store safely in any wallet.

The feature that makes passport cards so truly unique is the vicinity-read radio frequency identification, or RFID chip in each card. Each chip contains a unique number, which is associated with records in a secure government database. Since there is no information written on the chip itself, holders can rest easy that their privacy is not being violated. The chip simply makes passing through a border quicker and more efficient.

Applying for passport cards is very similar to applying for a passport book. Applicants are required to present the same documents to prove their American citizenship and identity. In fact, it is possible to apply for a passport and passport card at the same time, on the same form. Both documents are typically received in four to six weeks or two to three weeks if they are ordered with expedited processing.

Just like a passport book, the card is valid for ten years for an adult and five years for a minor. There is a significant difference, however, in the costs. While a passport book costs ninety-five dollars for an adult and eighty-five dollars for a minor, the card only costs forty-five dollars for an adult and twenty for a minor. This is a significant savings that makes the card worthwhile for someone who has no plans to fly out of the country.

Whether traveling over a land border or simply looking for an alternate form of photo identification, the passport card ID is a wonderful alternative to the long-established passport. It does not require any additional paperwork or information and is easy to keep track of at all times. For international travel over land or sea, this is the most convenient and efficient way to go. Go to USPassportNow.com to find out more.

A passport ID card is a convenient way to travel across borders frequently without the need to carry a bulky passport book or have to refill pages ever again. The card is wallet sized and can be used by anyone traveling to Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or the Caribbean. The card, however, is not good for any type of international travel that requires air travel.

This card can be a great benefit to those that live on the border of the U.S. and find the need to travel into Mexico or Canada for business very frequently. Each of the cards is embedded with what is known as an RFID chip. This chip can be read by border patrol agents and information on the bearer will be brought up from a secure government controlled database.

The radio frequency ID chip itself contains no personal information regarding the holder. The actual information can only be accessed by authorized personnel using the proper reader and permissions to get to the database. Along with the card, a blocking sleeve comes with it to prevent it from be scanned or accessed when not in use.

The passport can be available for any legal American citizen regardless of whether or not they have ever had a passport. Travelers can get a passport when they fill out the necessary application, a DS-11 and turn it in ID and photos along with it. If the person already has a passport, they can get the card only at a discounted rate.

Fees for these cards are much lower than those for a standard passport. The regular card for an adult applying for the first time is a mere $45.00 as compared to the $100.00 fee for a passport book and for minors under 16 years of age it is only $35.00. Those individuals that already hold a valid passport only will be charged a nominal $20.00 fee when applying to receive the card.

These cards last for the same length of time as a passport. Adult cards are valid for ten years from their issue date and minor’s cards are good for 5 years. The cards do not need to be updated during the entire lifespan of the card. This makes them very convenient as they can be placed in the wallet and carried all the time.

While it is feasible for some individuals to apply for these by mail, it should be noted that even if they submit their information by an overnight method, it will not be returned in the same manner. The new cards will only be returned to the applicants by way of first class mail. This means that if the applicant needs it quickly, they will need to use another method.

Private U.S. passport agency providers can be found on the Internet to help applicants go through the US Passport ID Card process in a simple, stress-free manner. These providers can speed up the U.S. passport agency application process and get the card to the customer a couple of days, minus a small fee. The fee is on top of any extra passport-related fees the government is supposed to receive.