Why would I need a passport card if I have a passport book?

We began issuing U.S. passport cards in 2008 to meet the needs of U.S. citizens who travel from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and Caribbean countries by land or sea. The passport card cannot be used for international air travel and is a cheaper alternative to the passport book.



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A valid passport book is required to enter Mexico by air, and those attempting to enter at an airport with a U.S. passport card only may be denied admission.

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A valid passport book is required to enter Mexico by air, and those attempting to enter at an airport with a U.S. passport card only may be denied admission.

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A passport card is valid identification for travel by land and sea only — and only for trips to and from certain countries, as noted by the U.S. Departement of State. It's smaller and less expensive than a passport book.

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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.

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The U.S. passport card may only be used for international travel by land or sea between the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda.

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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. Children under 16 only need proof of U.S. citizenship.

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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. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) accepts the passport card as ID for domestic flights.

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U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises will be able to enter or depart the country with proof of citizenship, such as an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL), a government-issued birth certificate (issued by the Vital Records Department in the state where he or she was born) or passport, and if 16 or older, a government ...

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If you choose not to carry a passport on a Caribbean cruise, here are the other documents accepted by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection for U.S. citizens traveling by sea for leisure purposes: Passport Card. Enhanced Driver's License.

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But, you have to keep in mind the limitations on a passport card. You're restricted to traveling to 20 countries and only by land or sea. Also, you cannot use your passport card for international air travel, only as ID for domestic air travel. The passport booklet represents a universal travel option for U.S. citizens.

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Now, most of the time, you need to have a passport when traveling, but there are always a few exceptions.
  • Best Places to Travel Without a US Passport. You can travel without a passport in the following countries: ...
  • Puerto Rico. ...
  • US Virgin Islands. ...
  • Northern Mariana Islands. ...
  • American Samoa. ...
  • Guam. ...
  • Canada. ...
  • Mexico.


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U.S. citizens are welcome to travel to Puerto Rico without a passport. Puerto Rico is like any other state for Americans because it is a U.S. territory. Any form of government-issued identification, like a driver's license or state ID card, is sufficient for a trip to Puerto Rico.

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Can a U.S. citizen fly within Mexico without a passport? No, you must present a valid passport book if you are not Mexican.

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