In this day and age, it is necessary to have an official form of ID for almost any type of travel. This is especially true when it comes to international travel, yet many people do not realize that they need a passport to travel to nearby countries such as Canada and Mexico. For this type of travel, the passport card ID offers a more convenient alternative to the traditional passport book.

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 main thing that distinguishes the passport card from a traditional passport is that it cannot be used for international air travel. It can, however, be used for land border crossing in and out of the US. This means that it is an appropriate form of identification for travel between the US and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda. This makes it perfect for road trips and cruises but remember that, even in these nearby countries, passport cards cannot be used for air travel.

Although it cannot be used for all types of travel, there are many reasons to apply for this form of identification. Anyone who has ever traveled internationally knows that they spend every other minute checking their bags to make sure that their passport is where they left it. Passport cards can be kept conveniently in a wallet, so there is no need to go searching for them either on or prior to a trip.

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.

Whether someone needs an alternate photo identification card or plans on traveling over land borders, the passport card is a great option to replace a more expensive and less convenient passport book. No extra paperwork is required to get one and it is far less likely to get lost. This is a great option for international travel across sea or land. Check out www.uspassportnow.com for more info.