The US Passport Card Is A Low Cost Alternative When Renewing USA Passports

Most people are familiar with the traditional passport book that contains pages that are stamped upon entry to other countries. If the passport holder was over age 16 when the passport book was issued, it is good for ten years. If the holder was under age 16, the passport book is good for five years. When renewing pasports, a person may want to consider obtaining a new passport card in addition to the passport book.

The passport card, which went into use in July 2008, is a more compact and less expensive alternative to the passport book. It is a wallet-sized card that can be used to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda via land or sea. Note that the passport card may not be used to fly to these or other countries because it was designed specifically for northern and southern border resident communities. The passport card is valid for the same amount of time as the traditional passport book. Adults who already have a passport book may apply for the passport card as a passport renewal by mail for a $20 charge.

The passport card is available to all U.S. citizens, whether they hold a passport or not. Current passport holders can get theirs by mail but will need to meet certain criteria in order to do so. These criteria can be found by going online and searching it out. Once the search is completed and it is found that an individual does not meet the requirements they can still apply for the passport card, it simply must be done in person.

Whether it is the book or the card that is being applied for, they both take approximately the same amount of time to process and send. There is a 4 to 6 week wait time on the card or book for the standard service and if expedited is requested, this may be accomplished in 2 to 3 weeks. The expedited service, however, does carry an extra fee. While an individual can submit their application via overnight mail, the USA passport card itself will only be returned by first class mail through the Post Office.

Each card contains a radio frequency ID chip and these can only be scanned locally by a special reader. These chips do not actually contain any personal information from the cardholder but rather link the card to a central database. The Border Patrol agents can scan the card from a close distance then access all of the pertinent information about the cardholder such as the picture and physical data.

The card is designed to be as secure as physically possible by using state of the art laser engraving along with anti-counterfeit measures such as special colorings. The blocking sleeve that comes with each card prevents the card from being scanned or accessed when it is not in use. It is actually amazing the state-of-the-art security that is in place on this tiny card.

The low cost of the card in addition to the passport book when getting a renewal can make this a great secondary form of travel identification. The card is not only for adults as minors are also eligible to apply for this when affecting their renewal process. There are, however, very strict guidelines that the minors must adhere to in order to receive one of these cards.

U.S. citizens renewing passports should consider obtaining a American passport card in addition to the traditional passport book. The passport card has quickly become popular, with over one million cards issued since its release. Though it is not intended to replace a passport book, the passport card is a convenient low-cost alternative for people who travel to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea.