Zen-Sunset Travel Network

U.S. PASSPORT CARD

APPLICATIONS FOR THE U.S. PASSPORT CARD ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED!

Processing of the passport card is now in full production.

The passport card facilitates entry and expedites document processing at U.S. land and sea ports-of-entry when arriving from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda.  The card may not be used to travel by air.  It carries the rights and privileges of the U.S. passport book and is adjudicated to the exact same standards.

Note: A previous passport book holder, eligible to use Form DS-82, may apply for a passport card as a Renewal.  First time applicants for a U.S. Passport, and those not eligible to use the DS-82, should apply for a passport card using Form DS-11.

The Department of State is issuing this passport card in response to the needs of border resident communities for a less expensive and more portable alternative to the traditional passport book.  The card has the same validity period as a passport book: 10 years for an adult, five for children 15 and younger.  Adults who already have a fully valid passport book may apply for the card as a passport renewal and pay only $20.  First-time applicants will pay $45 for adult cards and $35 for children.   

To facilitate the frequent travel of U.S. citizens living in border communities and to meet DHS’s operational needs at land borders, the passport card contains a vicinity-read radio frequency identification (RFID) chip.  This chip points to a stored record in secure government databases. There is no personal information written to the RFID chip itself. 

For more information click Here to link to the U.S. Department of State website.

Where to apply for a Passport Card?  Click Here.

For passport information click Here.