BajaNomad

Passport Card Applications Begin February 1st

BajaNomad - 1-25-2008 at 04:47 PM

U.S. PASSPORT CARD APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED BEGINNING FEBRUARY 1

U.S. citizens may begin applying in advance for the new U.S. Passport Card beginning February 1, 2008, in anticipation of land border travel document requirements. We expect cards will be available and mailed to applicants in spring 2008.

The passport card will facilitate entry and expedite 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 will otherwise carry the rights and privileges of the U.S. passport book and will be adjudicated to the exact same standards.

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 will have the same validity period as a passport book: 10 years for an adult, five for children 15 and younger. For adults who already have a passport book, they 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 will contain a vicinity-read radio frequency identification (RFID) chip. This chip will link the card to a stored record in secure government databases.

***There will be no personal information written to the RFID chip itself.***




Source:
http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt_card/ppt_card_3926.html

DENNIS - 1-25-2008 at 04:57 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaNomad
For adults who already have a passport book, they may apply for the card as a passport renewal and pay only $20.


I know I'll have to call for clarification but, mine doesn't expire for six more years. I wonder if I have to wait till then to apply for the more convenient card.

DENNIS - 1-25-2008 at 05:04 PM

Speaking of calling the passport agency, I had to do that a few years back when I didn't receive my renewed book in the mail. The number I had to call was 900 number just like the sex phone numbers, $1.50 per minute. I asked the office what that was all about and the lady told me the agency was trying to be self-sufficient. I started to ask her about taxes but decided to drop it.

Mango - 1-25-2008 at 05:21 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by BajaNomad
For adults who already have a passport book, they may apply for the card as a passport renewal and pay only $20.


I know I'll have to call for clarification but, mine doesn't expire for six more years. I wonder if I have to wait till then to apply for the more convenient card.


And I am also interested if you can also have the passport card & book at the same time? I'd think/hope so.

turtleandtoad - 1-25-2008 at 05:35 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by BajaNomad
For adults who already have a passport book, they may apply for the card as a passport renewal and pay only $20.


I know I'll have to call for clarification but, mine doesn't expire for six more years. I wonder if I have to wait till then to apply for the more convenient card.


Quote from the website

Since the execution fee does not apply to applications for renewals, adult passport holders will pay only $20 for the card. Applicants for both book and card pay only one execution fee.

This indicates to me that you can hold both. And if you already have a passport you can get the card for $20 right now. You Just use the renewal form.

DENNIS - 1-25-2008 at 05:46 PM

Thanks Mike....Guess I could have looked which is what I'll do with my question about on-line applications.

Hook - 1-25-2008 at 06:06 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by BajaNomad
For adults who already have a passport book, they may apply for the card as a passport renewal and pay only $20.


I know I'll have to call for clarification but, mine doesn't expire for six more years. I wonder if I have to wait till then to apply for the more convenient card.


Why would you need the "more convenient" card if you have a valid passport good for 6 more years, Dennis?

Deal with it in 5 years. Our pansy-assed politicians will probably have something else to appease those who feel passports are too politically incorrect for some unseen reason.

One more serious terrorist attack could render "passport light" invalid.

Stick with the real thing. Good for the entire world. Six bucks a year.

Mango - 1-25-2008 at 06:14 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Hook

Why would you need the "more convenient" card if you have a valid passport good for 6 more years, Dennis?

Deal with it in 5 years. Our pansy-assed politicians will probably have something else to appease those who feel passports are too politically incorrect for some unseen reason.

One more serious terrorist attack could render "passport light" invalid.

Stick with the real thing. Good for the entire world. Six bucks a year.


Hook, I agree with everything you say; except , my regular passport does not fit in my wallet. I can either put it in my cars glovebox (susceptible to theft) or leave it locked up at home or hotel(not a good option if I get pulled over or need to show it to Mexican authorities) The card just looks very convenient, and would allow me to keep my regular passport locked safely away as a backup or for air travel.

Oso - 1-25-2008 at 06:30 PM

Eggs-Ackley. I have a passport good for another year or so but plan to get the card for frequent short term border crossings without worrying about losing or having my passport book stolen. I'll leave it in the ammo box at home and save it for "serious" international travel. Good news for my wife, her green card continues to be enough although we will see about renewing her Mexican passport anyway and who knows? She may even decide to finally become a U.S. citizen, now that Mexico says she will always be a Mexican no matter what.

Carrying a Passport

MrBillM - 1-25-2008 at 07:33 PM

Back in 1989, I bought Cordura Nylon Passport carriers with velcro closures that have a adjustable cord so that you can carry the passport inside or outside your shirt with the cord around the neck. Works great for instances where theft is a concern.

CaboRon - 1-25-2008 at 08:37 PM

Sounds like a great idea.... now if I could just get a card to replace that bulky FM 3 ....

CaboRon

BAJACAT - 1-25-2008 at 08:45 PM

Where do I apply for one, the post office like a regular passaport.?

bajaguy - 1-25-2008 at 09:07 PM

Bajacat, get the application at the Post Office. It is the same application as the passport, just check the box for the card.

muchas gracias

BAJACAT - 1-25-2008 at 09:11 PM

Phil C - 1-26-2008 at 07:57 AM

If you have SENTRI, will you still need to carry the passport?

Bob and Susan - 1-26-2008 at 08:05 AM

fill out your application on line at
http://travel.state.gov/passport/forms/forms_847.html

then go...

remember the post office is not the ONLY passport acceptance agency
citys
countys
libraries
etc can do them also

just check it out

make SURE you have a "certified copy" of you birth certif
NOT a hospital copy:saint::saint:

bajaguy - 1-26-2008 at 08:07 AM

To summarize, if you do not have a US passport (or a Passport Card), you must present both a birth certificate and a government issued photo ID (could be a SENTRI card) when reentering the US. This information is important not only to you, but to visitors you may have

CaboRon - 1-26-2008 at 08:31 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
To summarize, if you do not have a US passport (or a Passport Card), you must present both a birth certificate and a government issued photo ID (could be a SENTRI card) when reentering the US. This information is important not only to you, but to visitors you may have


I am reasonably sure that the birth cert. will not cut it any more (definetely on air travel) , you will need a passport or passport card..... this will at some time , if not already, be the bottom line for land travel also.

CaboRon

Oso - 1-26-2008 at 09:17 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bob and Susan
fill out your application on line at
http://travel.state.gov/passport/forms/forms_847.html

then go...

remember the post office is not the ONLY passport acceptance agency
citys
countys
libraries
etc can do them also

just check it out

make SURE you have a "certified copy" of you birth certif
NOT a hospital copy:saint::saint:


A friend went to the main PO in Yuma and found a long line, calculated it was going to be 2 hrs or more, called me on his cellphone as he'd heard of alternatives but was suffering from CRAFT (acute CRS). We both know the local Clerk of Superior Court, so I told him to try the courthouse. Got r done in 15 min.

CaboRon - 1-26-2008 at 10:03 AM

I got mine at city hall.... they even took the photos there and accepted the application. That was in Anaheim, CA.
Ron

Al G - 1-26-2008 at 10:31 AM

Are we sure the cops wll accept these cards?

juangrandebigjohn - 1-29-2008 at 09:34 PM

I have seven years to go on my current passport as much as I cross the border the original passport will not stay togther that long.I read the government site,appears you can have both the full size passport AND the card for $20 more,absurd expensive but stlll worth it.One thing,I am unclear on though,they are vague on weather or not you have to submit current valid passport while waiting for card,yeah probably have to call,glad I recently got Skype.Bigjohn