Strategies For Obtaining Overnight Passport Cards

by erin on July 21, 2010

If your usual international travel plans primarily involve crossing US borders to nearby neighboring countries, the passport card might be just the ticket for you. First, you should carefully consider your travel time frame, the requirements when applying for the card, and how long it takes to receive it under normal conditions. If you are traveling earlier than it appears you can get your card, it might be necessary to apply for an quick passport card.

While still fairly new and unknown to some travelers, this new travel identification document made its debut in 2008. Though this card was created for a specific type of traveler, specifically those who cross the northern or southern borders frequently, it can be obtained by any United States citizen. It was designed to be more convenient to use and cheaper to obtain than a normal passport book.

The passport card was designed for a specific type of travel and can be used for that purpose only. The guidelines allow it to be used for return to the United States via land or sea border crossings, but only from certain countries. Those countries include Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean islands, and Bermuda. It will not be accepted for travel by air to or from any of these countries, nor can it be used to travel to any countries not on this list.

The application requirements for a passport card are the same as if you were applying for a regular passport. In fact, you can apply for both simultaneously. When making your first application, you must do so in person at a Passport Agency office or at an Acceptance Facility. To make the application process more accessible to people these Acceptance Facilities, generally located at a local governmental office or post office, were created.

The application package that must be presented to the agent includes the application form DS-11, in conjunction with certain required supporting documents. Those documents include proof that you are a US citizen, proof that you are who you claim to be, and two passport photos of the designated dimensions. In addition, there is the fee for the passport card, and a separate fee that must be paid to the Acceptance Facility for their services.

It is important that you understand what documents of proof are considered acceptable. For proof of citizenship you can supply an official copy of your birth certificate issued state of your birth. If you are a citizen born outside the country you must present a Consular Report of Birth Abroad document. If you have become a US citizen through a naturalization process, you can submit your Certification of Citizenship. A form of identification with a photo, issued by a governmental agency, is also required. This could be a valid license to drive, a military identification card, or a current city, state, or federally issued identification card. Whichever form of identification you choose to present, make a photocopy of it in advance to leave with your application.

For current passport holders there is a streamlined application process to get a passport card. While it is not necessary to have a card in this circumstance, it might be desirable for those who frequently travel by land or sea to the designated countries and prefer not to carry their traditional passport. In this situation, the application can be completed via the mail without having to appear at an Acceptance Facility. The application form in this case is the DS-82, which is for current passport holders. If the current passport is due, or almost due, for renewal, that can be accomplished at the same time as the passport card application. In this case, the supporting documentation includes the current passport and new photos. When submitting by mail, do not forget to include payment for the fees for the card, and priority U S passport fee, if appropriate.

Normal processing times for receiving a card are approximately four to six weeks from receipt of the application. If it’s necessary to have the card faster than this, there is an option to request an urgent passport card. There is an additional $60 fee, above and beyond the other fees for this service. Choosing to expedite will generally cut the processing time by half. In addition, there will be the cost of priority pass port delivery services used to ship the card to the recipient.

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