A passport ID card is a convenient way to travel across borders frequently without the need to carry a bulky passport book or have to refill pages ever again. The card is wallet sized and can be used by anyone traveling to Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or the Caribbean. The card, however, is not good for any type of international travel that requires air travel.
This is a very useful tool for people who reside near our borders and enjoy the luxury of being able to travel to these border countries at will. The card comes with an RFID chip discreetly embedded in it. Border control personnel read the information on the chip that is stored on a government database with their information.
The radio frequency ID is safe because there is no personal information about the cardholder on it. Only border personnel who have the skills and permission to read the database information are allowed access. The card comes with a blocking sleeve to keep it from being damaged or being scanned when no one is using it.
The card may be obtained by any U.S. citizen whether or not they have ever had a passport before. This can be done by filling out the required passport application form, a DS-11, and submitting it along with ID and photos. A current passport holder may apply for these as a renewal and they receive a discount in the overall cost.
Fees for these cards are much lower than those for a standard passport. The regular card for an adult applying for the first time is a mere $45.00 as compared to the $100.00 fee for a passport book and for minors under 16 years of age it is only $35.00. Those individuals that already hold a valid passport only will be charged a nominal $20.00 fee when applying to receive the card.
These cards last for the same length of time as a passport. Adult cards are valid for ten years from their issue date and minor’s cards are good for 5 years. The cards do not need to be updated during the entire lifespan of the card. This makes them very convenient as they can be placed in the wallet and carried all the time.
While the cards can be purchased by mail, an overnight method won’t be of value due to the limited delivery options. The passport card is only returned to the applicant using the traditional first class mail delivery method. If an individual needs to get the card as soon as possible, they should look into another way of getting the card.
Private US passport agency providers are available online that can assist an individual in receiving a United States Passport ID Card much quicker. They have the ways and means to expedite the entire process and return the American passport agency in as little as one to two business days for a fee. This fee will, however, be in addition to any fees that the government is entitled to.
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