subject: For Cruises And International Road Trips, Request A Us Passport Id Card [print this page] In today's world of high security measures, nobody should travel without a valid form of photo ID, even domestically. When traveling internationally, proper identification is not just a good idea, it is an absolute requirement. The passports card is a reasonable replacement for a traditional passport that can be used in many travel situations.
Passport cards are an official document issued by the Department of State and look very similar to a driver's license. In fact, it is a convenient form of alternative photo identification for someone who, for whatever reason, does not have a driver's license. Since they were first produced in 2008, over two million passport cards have been issued to citizens of the United States.
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 key distinguishing feature of passport cards is RFID, which stands for vicinity-read radio frequency identification. This chip is placed inside each card and is linked to a record in a protected government database. The chip itself is not encrypted with any information, so no personal information is at risk. The chip is simply there to make the entire customs process more efficient.
Applying for the card is a very similar process to applying for a passport book. Both applications require documents that verify the applicant's citizenship and identity. Both documents can even be obtained simultaneously by filling out a single application. Both can be processed in about three weeks for an additional charge but typically take about five weeks to be received.
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.
