Substitute for Passport?

[california-bighorn]

A couple of weeks ago I caught the end of something on TV about some kind of card that will replace the need to have a passport. I believe I heard it would only be good for travel from the USA to Mexico and Canada. Kind of a North American Card, although I don't know what it is or will be called.
Does anyone have any information on this? What are fees, how long to obtain, how long is it good for and anything else important.

 

[Luanne]

Google is your friend

Here, found this by googling:

http://www.usimmigrationsupport.org/passportcard.html

 

[california-bighorn]

Thanks Luanne
Since most of us fly to international destinations it won't be of much help.

 

[Luanne]

Thanks Luanne
Since most of fly to international destinations it won't be of much help.

I guess I'm not part of the "most". However, I do have a passport.

 

[Talent312]

I don't really understand why my fellow Americans seem so resistant to getting passports. Sure, its takes a little effort, but its easier than getting a DL (no foreign language test). They open the door to the world, ... and who knows when one might need a quick getaway to someplace w/o an extradition treaty.

 

[Patri]

. ... and who knows when one might need a quick getaway to someplace w/o an extradition treaty.

:rofl: :hysterical:

 

[dioxide45]

I don't really understand why my fellow Americans seem so resistant to getting passports. Sure, its takes a little effort, but its easier than getting a DL (no foreign language test). They open the door to the world, ... and who knows when one might need a quick getaway to someplace w/o an extradition treaty.

They are also good for 10 years. Unlike the Canadian passport that I hold that is only valid for five years.

 

[nightnurse613]

I would just like to point out, you DO NOT need the ebook that Luanne's web site takes you to (especially at $50). You can go directly to the Secretary of State website, type in passport card application and download the passport CARD application form (actually, you can fill it out online); get two photos taken at a local drug store and make an appointment at the nearest facility (even the post office). Bring the money orders and apply in person. As many people pointed out, this was designed to facilitate those people frequently passing between Canada, Mexico and the US. The passport cards are not good anywhere else and, you never know when you need to go somewhere that doesn't have an extradition treaty :hysterical: so you might want to give a second thought about a passport (double the price, though).

 

[Luanne]

I would just like to point out, you DO NOT need the ebook that Luanne's web site takes you to (especially at $50).

I just provided that as an explanation of what the card was. Also, to show that you can find just about anything using google. To be honest, I didn't read the part about the cost.

 

[dwsupt]

passport card

We ordered one with our passports last summer. It is basically the same info found on a passport. It can be used for travel to Canada or Mexico only. For the price, if I could redo things, I'd stick to just the passport.

 

[Bill4728]

From the website in post #2

OVERVIEW OF THE UNITED STATES PASSPORT CARD

Valid only for land and sea travel between the United States and Mexico, Canada, Bermuda and the Caribbean.
A Passport Card cannot be used for international travel by air.
Applications are currently being taken but issuance of the new Passport Card is expected to be in the fall of 2008.
Issued by the U.S. Department of State.
Available only to U.S. citizens.

PS The cost is a huge factor:
First time - Passport $100 vs Passport card $45
Renewals- Passport $75 vs Passport card $20

Both are good for 10 years.

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

I don't really understand why my fellow Americans seem so resistant to getting passports. Sure, its takes a little effort, but its easier than getting a DL (no foreign language test). They open the door to the world, ... and who knows when one might need a quick getaway to someplace w/o an extradition treaty.

A passport is also an excellent second ID. If you lose your drivers license (e.g., if your wallet or purse is stolen) it's easy to get replacement ID using a passport.

I also use my passport as primary ID when I'm traveling; generally the only vendor who ever sees my drivers license is a car rental agency. I figure that a passport is a more secure form of ID than a drivers license.

 

[Bill4728]

In Washington state, they have a "Enhanced Driver License" which does the same thing as a Passport card but it is part of your driver's license. Cost is $15 more than a regular driver license but only good for 5 years.

The best thing about it is you're never likely to forget it when traving by car to canada. Since it your driver license, you'd alway have your DL with you when you drive.

 

[falmouth3]

I also use my passport as primary ID when I'm traveling; generally the only vendor who ever sees my drivers license is a car rental agency. I figure that a passport is a more secure form of ID than a drivers license.

I do the same. It's easier to have my passport out that to keep opening my purse to get my wallet and then struggle to get the license out of it's tight compartment.

Sue

 

[JanB]

Several years ago Shaggy wrote that while snorkeling in Hawaii, her waterproof neck pouch floated off with her room key, money, AND DRIVER'S LICENSE. This happened, I believe, the day before she was to fly back to the mainland. Fortunately, some honest person found it and returned it to her timeshare. But, from her experience, Steve and I ALWAYS fly with both our passports and driver's licenses in country and internationally!

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

By the way, the Passports and Passport Cards (both of which have been talked about in previous threads) can be obtained from many Post Offices (Post Offices which offer that particular customer service).

Recently I renewed my Passport at my local Post Office and they instructed me how to fill out the renewal form. I mailed it in and had it back SEVEN days later. Amazing!

The Passport Card can be used only be used for a few destinations (as discussed in previous threads), however the actual Passports themselves can be used under all circumstances traveling absolutely anywhere. That said, I would suggest that you get the Passport itself if you are making an initial application.

Happy travels

 

[geekette]

unless costs have gone up A LOT in 2 years, no way I paid $100 for my passport. More like $60, including pictures.

 

[dwsupt]

Way-
We got 3 of them $100 each.

 

[rsnash]

We just sent in our paperwork for renewing our passports, $75 each. That's with the regular non-expedited service. We used our old, non-expired passports as ID, so they are in the package. They were to expire in April and we have a trip planned to the Bahamas in May. Meanwhile, we are now able to take a vacation Christmas week, and were looking into going to Mexico, but you have to have a passport to fly there. Does anyone know how long the renewal should take? I'm reluctant to book anything until I get our new passports back in the mail, and of course it is now too late to do the in person thing.

 

[x3 skier]

We just sent in our paperwork for renewing our passports, $75 each. That's with the regular non-expedited service. We used our old, non-expired passports as ID, so they are in the package. They were to expire in April and we have a trip planned to the Bahamas in May. Meanwhile, we are now able to take a vacation Christmas week, and were looking into going to Mexico, but you have to have a passport to fly there. Does anyone know how long the renewal should take? I'm reluctant to book anything until I get our new passports back in the mail, and of course it is now too late to do the in person thing.

After the recent fiasco that caused a huge backlog, "normal" times seem to be around two weeks or so.

Cheers