Welcome to
Chappelle’s Travel Wire!
The eNewsletter
Last Updated: August 1, 2008
The New U.S. Passport Card:::
The new U.S. Passport Card issued
by
The State
Department went into production on July 14, 2008,
due to a response to the needs of border resident
communities for a less expensive and more portable
alternative to the traditional passport book. Wallet-
sized, the new card possesses the same period of
validity as the passport book of 10 years for an adult,
and five years for children 15 and younger. First-time
applicants pay $45 for adult cards and $35 for
children. For $20, adults who already have a fully
valid
passport book may apply for the card as a passport
renewal.
Typical with this type of a price reduction
comes a reduction in usage. The passport card may
not be used to travel by air. It will only facilitate entry
and expedites document processing at U.S. land and
sea crossings between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico,
the Caribbean, and Bermuda only. It will best suit
those who travel frequently to these destinations by
land or by sea.
To apply for the passport card you can fill out the Form DS-11 online using the Passport
Application Wizard, or by downloading it. To execute a
search for nationwide Passport Acceptence Facilities
click here.
For more detailed information about
travel documents for U.S. citizens go to Travel.State.gov.
Below, see a snap shot of the differences between
the
two documents:
U.S. Passport Book: Valid for travel by air,
sea,
or land.
Validity: 10 years for adults, 5 years for minors
Size: 5" x 3 1/2" (unopened)
Cost for first time applicants: $100 for adults, $85 for
minors
Cost for U.S. Passport book renewal: $75 for adults
U.S. Passport Card: Not for travel by air. Valid
for land and sea crossings between the U.S. and
Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean only.
Validity: 10 years for adults, 5 years for minors
Size: Wallet size
Cost for first time applicants: $45 for adults, $35 for
minors
Cost for U.S. Passport book holders: $20 for adults
If you apply for both documents at the same
time:
Cost for first time applicants: $120 for adults,
$95
for
minors
