In July 2008, the US State Department decided to provide a card for use as identification when crossing North American borders. It is also referred to as a PassCard and is intended for the convenience of Americans. What countries can it be used in? Who really benefits from using it? Find out what you need to know about the passport id card.

The PassCard is a new alternative to the conventional passport booklet as a way of identifying yourself as a US citizen. When travelling by land or sea, it can successfully be used when returning from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. It will not be accepted for travel by air and is not a valid travel document for any other countries.

People who frequently cross borders for work or play may find several advantages in the passport card. The greatest purpose for the card is to benefit the population of Americans that live in border towns. It is the size of a credit card, so it easily fits in your wallet, and the price is lower than the booklet. It is also believed that these cards will decrease the wait times at the border.

There are special security features included in the card to help defend against forgery. The RFID chip gives off a radio frequency that can be read at the border. There is no personal information held on the chip and should not be of concern. This same chip is present in passport booklets and many debit and credit cards. For those that worry, a radio blocking sleeve comes with your card.

Many people that choose the PassCard are attracted to the price. Compare the forty five dollar passport card to the one hundred dollar cost of the traditional booklet. Both are valid for the same amount of time. For those under the age of sixteen, a passport is valid for ten years. It needs to be renewed after five years for children under sixteen years of age.

A passport card has the same requirements as the conventional booklet. If it is your first time getting a passport, you will need to apply in person at a Passport Application Facility and provide identification. In addition, two 2×2 photos and a birth certificate or proof naturalization need to be brought to show US citizenship. This will be sent with the application and returned in the mail along with your new card.

For those who already have a passport, all of the necessary paperwork can be sent by mail. You can even use your passport booklet as proof of US citizenship. You will get it back when the card comes in the mail. It is also possible to both renew your booklet and receive a new card using the same application.

The US passport card is made for North American travel, has a lower price than the United States passport, and can easily fit into a wallet. Now that you know what it is, decide whether it is the right choice for you. There are many resources online that can assist you in obtaining your passport card.