Passport Question About This Page:

[jiwdurando]

I'm applying for my passport, and it askes whether I want a passport book or a passport card or both, what are they? Which do I want? I've never gotten one before. Not sure what to get, any advice would be welcome!

[Colexis Mom]

You want a passport book. I believe the passport card is only good for driving (between the US and Canada/Mexico) and for cruises, but is not valid for airplane travel. If you get sick on the cruise and need to fly back to the US, it's not going to do you any good if you just have the card.

Here's something to help you. http://travel.state.gov/pdf/ppt_pptCard.pdf

It's worth the extra cost, IMO, to get the book! Our kids have the book, as do DH and I.

[Belle*]

The card is meant for travelers who have to drive across to Canda or Mexico border on a regular basis. You want the book for cruising or any international air travel.

[jodileigh]

Like the others said, go with the book. You'll be good to go!

[Alisha]

I have the passport card because I live in MI and go to Canada.... we call it an enhanced drivers license here. You should get the book because the card is only good for ground travel. If you have to fly out of somewhere other than mexico or canada in an emergency you will be stuck! We will be upgrading to the book too

[jimmymac]

The card is good for North America, the book for the entire world

[jiwdurando]

Very good to know, and thanks for the link I couldn't find that on the website!

[Charlie97]

The Border Crossing Card is used when you leave the country for a short day trip or so. I was chewed out by Customs for not having one last year...but they allowed me in after some harsh words and idle threats. Legally, they cannot keep a U.S. Citizen out of the country. With all the violence going on, I never go, so why bother getting one right??? Well, DGF and her friend needed to go, so I went with them because i didn't want them going alone. Mind you, neither of them has the card, but i was the only one singled out. Bummer. Hope the first part of my response helped, the second part was to educate and entertain you

[jiwdurando]

well consider me educated and amused lol, im def getting a book!

[dmpyron]

Popping this up to the top: I learned a couple of weeks ago that ICE/CBP are going to be giving more scrutiny to travelers that can use a card but who are using (as they can) birth certificate and government ID. We had toured the Sapphire Princess and the Disney Wonder and the ICE officer we got to deal with on one of those inspections said that this was "coming down from somebody who doesn't understand our workload".

[Dave Marx]

I remember some years back crossing into Canada from Detroit, back before the current regulations went into effect... Even though the letter of the law still allowed drivers license and birth certificate, the Canadian agent said, "Next time, bring your passport." Not "please," even though he was Canadian!

Whatever the letter of the law, the troops in the trenches these days are being told to err on the side of caution. If they can't run the document under a special light or through a scanner (the way they can with a passport or Passport Card), they're going to squint real hard and ask a lot more questions than they otherwise would.

Note that the document inspection when embarking on the cruise is conducted by the cruise line - they're responsible for "certifying" the passengers and crew to the authorities in ports of call. When you get back to the U.S., then the Feds are asking the questions - even if the cruise line let you take the cruise, they're going to assume nothing.

[lanejudy]

Actually, just to clarify the difference between the Passport BOOK, the Passport CARD and a U.S. state-issued "enhanced drivers license" because there is frequent confusion or mis-understanding...

1- The Passport BOOK is good for any mode of travel and any destination - it costs the most but is good for 10 years (5 yrs for children).

2 - The Passport CARD is good for non-airline travel in North America - by car, ship, etc. but NOT air, for any length trip (not just day-trips). If your cruise is not closed loop (beginning/ending at the same port) you might need the Passport BOOK, I'm not certain; but the CARD is good for closed loop cruises primarily because "passport" is not required only recommended for those. In the case of emergency, the Passport CARD will not be useful to get a cruise passenger flown back to the U.S., therefore many cruisers will still opt for the Passport BOOK. The Passport CARD has the same valid time as a Passport BOOK - 10 yrs for adults and 5 yrs for children - but has a lower fee because of the limitations on use (no air travel, not outside North America).

3 - An "enhanced drivers license" may be issued in many border states where travel to Canada or Mexico is common, and is good for any length of trip (not just day-trips). It is very similar to the Passport CARD but includes the added step of including your driving privilege and Passport in 1 card easy to carry in a wallet for regular use. Driver's license rules vary by state, but there is frequently an additional fee for the "enhanced" license versus a regular license issued by the same state, and in such cases a regular drivers license will not be acceptable in situations where an enhanced drivers license or passport is required. An enhanced drivers license is only good for ground travel. Since at this time closed loop cruises from US ports do not require passports, the enhanced drivers license is acceptable; however, the same issue as the Passport CARD arises if there would be need for emergency return to the US by air - an enhanced license will not be accepted. Valid time period is typically the same as the drivers license - most states have 2-year or 4-year terms, fees vary by issuing state.

U.S. Customs officials do have the right to detain a U.S. citizen trying to re-enter the U.S. who does not have proper identification, which includes any of the above options. A standard driver's license with or without birth certificate is no longer acceptable ID to return to the U.S. Note I indicated "return to the U.S." - Canada as of yet does NOT require Passport or enhanced license to enter that country, the difficulty will arise when you cross back into the U.S. If you live in a border state or county, you likely heard much about these "new" rules a few years ago when they took effect as there was a big campaign to educate the public in those areas where border travel is so common.

[Dave Marx]

Thanks lanejudy!

The Passport CARD and Enhanced Drivers License can be used for land entry into the U.S. (which would be Mexico or Canada) or sea entry into the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, the Bahamas, and Bermuda. It can be used for an open-ended itinerary (such as Los Angeles to Port Canaveral repositionings) as well as closed-loop itineraries.

The Closed Loop Exception (defined as a cruise departing and returning to the same U.S. port) allows U.S. citizens to use government-issued photo ID plus proof of citizenship (certified birth certificate, naturalization papers, etc.), rather than a passport (book or card).

Now, as far as entry into Canada from the U.S... At a minimum, a U.S. citizen has to present proof of citizenship and proof of identity to enter Canada. It's still up to the individual CBSA agent to judge the validity of that proof. Practically speaking, every agent I've encountered for the past 5 years or so has asked for a passport. Simply, it makes their job a whole lot easier. If they doubt the validity of a birth certificate or the proof of identity you present, they're likely to turn you away. A passport also speeds you through the process.