Passport Card
 The
State Department is now accepting applications for the new
Passport Card. The
Passport Card, also called
PASS Card, is a
limited use passport in a "wallet size" format. Applications are now being
accepted, however, the PASS card itself will be mailed to applicants by the
Department of State in the fall of 2008.
The Passport Card is a government-issued proof of identity
and citizenship that costs less
than a full-size U.S. Passport. The Passport Card (also being called border card
and PASScard)
is issued by the State Department. The
PASS Card technology, however,
was determined by the DHS (Department of Homeland Security). The PASS Card (US
Passport Card) is valid 10 years for individuals aged 16 and over, and 5 years for children
aged 15 and younger.
PASS cards will be added to the existing list of acceptable proofs of
identification, which include passports, the Mexican “laser visa,” and the SENTRI, NEXUS and FAST cards used along the northern border. Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice and DHS secretary Michael Chertoff touted the PASS card program
as a traveler-friendly solution to the tightened border credential requirement.
U.S. citizens returning from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean via land
or sea border must as of January 31, 2008 show proof of identity (.e.g. drivers
license) and citizenship (e.g. birth certificate).
The new U.S. Passport Card
eliminates the need for two types of documents as it is a passport in pocket
size format. It will be especially beneficial to business travelers and other
individuals who live in border communities and travel frequently (by land or
sea) between the United States and Canada / Mexico. The PASScard will also be a
less expensive alternative to cruise ship passengers traveling from the United
States to Bermuda and the Caribbean. The PASS Card can also be used for identity
purposes including purchasing alcohol and tobacco.
Important: A full size
United States Passport is still required for international air
travel. The Passport
Card can only be used for land and sea travel between the United States
and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean.
DOWNLOAD THE PASSPORT CARD APPLICATION
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- The United States PassCard Application Guide is now
available for
download
- Be one of the first to receive the new U.S. Passport Card (PASS card)
- U.S. citizens are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to avoid delays
- The
Passport Card can be used on cruises to the Caribbean and Bermuda, in
addition to land border crossings to Canada and Mexico.
- The U.S. State Department started accepting applications for the Passport
Card on February 1st, 2008, however, applicants will only receive the card
itself by mail in the fall of 2008
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Click here to download applications for the new U.S. Passport Card |
The PASScard is only available to United States citizens. Both children and
adults will be able to apply for the
PASScard. The
PASS card establishes both
the identity and nationality of the bearer. Individuals who are not yet United
States citizens are encouraged to apply for U.S. citizenship. United States
citizen can have both a
U.S. Passport and a
Passport Card (PASS
Card).
The PASS card is a travel document developed to comply with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative has the following implementation phases:
- January 23, 2007
The first phase (January 23, 2007) is only related to air travel between the
United States and Mexico, Canada, Caribbean, Bermuda, Central and South America.
All United States citizens must now possess a valid U.S. passport in order to
fly to any country outside the United States.
- January 31, 2008
The second phase (January 31, 2008) is related to land borders and sea borders
between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean region. All
United States citizens must possess a valid identity document (e.g. U.S. drivers
license) and citizenship document (e.g. U.S. birth certificate) upon return to
the United States. The
PASS Card (Passport Card) is
proof of both identity and
U.S.
Citizenship.
The purpose of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is to strengthen border
security by requiring visitors and United States citizens to provide secure and
reliable documentation, which identifies the individual and his or her
citizenship. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is based upon the
Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, which requires the
Department of Homeland Security and Department of State to develop an
identification plan for individuals entering the United States.
Last Updated: May 1, 2008
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