Currently have a passport card? Do I need a passport book?

Question:

I am trying to figure out if I need a passport book? I currently have a passport card and never hard use for it but not to sure if I should apply for a passport book. Do I really need to get a passport book? Does a passport card does the same as a passport card?

Susan

Answer:

So you’ve got your passport card, but can you just tuck it into your wallet and call it a day, or do you need that passport book you always see people using in movies? The short answer: It depends on where you’re traveling to, and how you plan to get there.

To break it down simply, here’s everything a card will cover on its own without the book:

• Entering the US from Mexico via land border crossings and sea ports
• Entering the US from Canada via land border crossings and sea ports
• Entering the US from the Caribbean via land border crossings and sea ports
• Entering the US from Bermuda via land border crossings and sea ports

Here’s what it doesn’t cover:

• Any international travel by air

Outside of these, it may depend on a number of other factors, but the short version is that you’re not going to get very far without the passport book if you’re hoping to do any serious international traveling.