Passport question tinged with aggravation

[bcla]

So if the passport card is reported lost at the time to request renewal is it first processed as lost and then everything replaced THEN renewed? JUst hoping we don't end up holding an expired but freshly printed card. One would think it would not be the case but these things aren't necessarily reasonable, in my experience.

For a normal mail-in or in-person renewal, there's a requirement to submit any uncancelled passport and/or passport card unless it's lost/stolen. If it's lost/stolen/whatever then there's a requirement that it be reported in order to get a renewal. It might be a little bit different for the new online passport application but I think there was a question about whether or not a previous passport was lost or stolen.

There's also the issue of whether or not a passport or passport card is damaged. Supposedly if it's so then it's no eligible for normal mail-in renewal. With the online renewal pilot program, there's no need to submit so that's not an issue.

As for question of passport vs passport card, one advantage is that the card isn't damaged from getting wet. If a passport book gets wet, it might not be accepted and I'm not sure if damage would be permanent.

My passport card actually delaminated. I think it was because it was an early version which I would hope they improved on. I tried fixing it with an iron, but that won't be so important with the online renewal since I didn't need to submit it nor even take a photo of it.

 

[AMW86]

I would never go to a post office to get forms. All the forms you need are online, including ones that you can fill online and print out. Saves a lot of aggravation with anyone who might have read handwriting.

But then again, I have a printer so I can't account for those who don't.

I printed the right form. You have to present it in person with ID. They incorrectly told me when I got there for my appointment that it was the wrong form

 

[disneychrista]

I printed the right form. You have to present it in person with ID. They incorrectly told me when I got there for my appointment that it was the wrong form

I would complete and take the "wrong form" just in case.

 

[mel&me]

This is inline with my understanding. A passport covers everything. The card has limited function and really isn’t necessary if one has a passport. It may be nice to have but ultimately a passport does everything the card does and more.

Passport card is more convenient to carry if regular passport is not needed at the time.
I don't have a passport card. but don't need it because I have an Enhanced Drivers license.
It can basically be used just like a passport card.
Enhanced Drivers licenses are Federal Real ID compliant.
So its good for domestic flights.
Not all states have enhanced license.

 

[disneychrista]

Passport card is more convenient to carry if regular passport is not needed at the time.
I don't have a passport card. but don't need it because I have an Enhanced Drivers license.
It can basically be used just like a passport card.
Enhanced Drivers licenses are Federal Real ID compliant.
So its good for domestic flights.
Not all states have enhanced license.

So nice to have but not required.

 

[lockets]

.

@bcla I just came here to say when I look at your avatar I see both a bear-like face as well as a boy with is mouth agape and a double chin. Is it that trippy on purpose? Do you see what I see? Have you ever realized that it morphs? Did you do that on purpose when you selected it? So many questions.

And now... Back our regularly scheduled programming and the conclusion of Passports!...

 

[China Expat]

I renewed my passport last year and had lost the card. As the passport is all I really needed, I skipped the card and just got a new passport,

 

[Genie+]

@bcla I just came here to say when I look at your avatar I see both a bear-like face as well as a boy with is mouth agape and a double chin. Is it that trippy on purpose? Do you see what I see? Have you ever realized that it morphs? Did you do that on purpose when you selected it? So many questions.

And now... Back our regularly scheduled programming and the conclusion of Passports!...

Lol, yeah the shine on the nose looks like it could be little kid teeth.

I never noticed the double image thing but now I always will! TIHI

 

[bcla]

@bcla I just came here to say when I look at your avatar I see both a bear-like face as well as a boy with is mouth agape and a double chin. Is it that trippy on purpose? Do you see what I see? Have you ever realized that it morphs? Did you do that on purpose when you selected it? So many questions.

And now... Back our regularly scheduled programming and the conclusion of Passports!...

Not my photo. It's from the Cal Rally Comiitee and was from an appearance in front of Sproul Hall at UC Berkeley. I can't find where I got it currently as they replace photos regularly.

But he does have his own Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/CalOskiBear/

 

[bcla]

So nice to have but not required.

It's $30 more. I personally think it's a good thing to have a wallet sized proof of citizenship ID.

 

[disneychrista]

It's $30 more. I personally think it's a good thing to have a wallet sized proof of citizenship ID.

Doesn't the Real ID already does that?

Is it $30 total? Or only $30 more after the purchase of a Passport. Again, I have never had either, so really have no clue how it works.

 

[bcla]

Doesn't the Real ID already does that?

Is it $30 total? Or only $30 more after the purchase of a Passport. Again, I have never had either, so really have no clue how it works.

No. Enhanced ID/DL is proof of citizenship, but Real ID is not because there are several categories of people eligible for Real ID who aren't US citizens/nationals including permanent residents or those on legal temporary (including student) visas.

In Washington state they declined to have a standard Real ID DL/ID and instruct residents to get an enhanced DL/ID, even though noncitizen residents aren't eligible. Green card holders obviously have their green cards and they're legally required to "possess" them at all times (it's actually a crime to not "possess"). Other categories might be a little bit more difficult, although theoretically a foreign passport (again - not too convenient) is theoretically valid for any purpose where Real ID may be useful such as air travel or entering a federal building.

As for the cost - it's $30 extra for the passport card. It was $20 when I got mine. If one already has a passport book it's possible to get one as a "renewal" without any of the other costs other than getting a photo and mailing. But if one is already getting a passport book then it's just $30 more. I don't think it's that hard a decision. It's valid for 10 years and there can be cases where someone forgets to renew another ID and that might come in handy.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

But if one is already getting a passport book then it's just $30 more. I don't think it's that hard a decision.

I think you're presenting the situation a bit different here. A passport card is not as powerful as a passport book. It's mainly for people who are traveling to a smaller list of places. If you only want to be able to travel to land-based and sea-based arrivals of

• Canada
• Mexico
• Caribbean countries
• Bermuda

Then I can see someone choosing to get a passport card even in addition of a passport book which would make a first time application be $160 ($130 for the passport book and $30 for the card). But if you're doing most of your travel by air and countries outside of that the ability to carry a passport in your wallet by means of the card is going to be moot because it's not able to be used for that.

We're going to Mexico in April, I wouldn't be able to use a passport card to get there since we're flying so I'd need my passport book anyhow. Most leisure travel is done by air. If you live close to the land border of Mexico or Canada or are cruising perhaps without having to fly your passport card may have more usefulness although keep in mind it could not be used if you needed to transported to another country.

 

[bcla]

I think you're presenting the situation a bit different here. A passport card is not as powerful as a passport book. It's mainly for people who are traveling to a smaller list of places. If you only want to be able to travel to land-based and sea-based arrivals of

• Canada
• Mexico
• Caribbean countries
• Bermuda

Then I can see someone choosing to get a passport card even in addition of a passport book which would make a first time application be $160 ($130 for the passport book and $30 for the card). But if you're doing most of your travel by air and countries outside of that the ability to carry a passport in your wallet by means of the card is going to be moot because it's not able to be used for that.

We're going to Mexico in April, I wouldn't be able to use a passport card to get there since we're flying so I'd need my passport book anyhow. Most leisure travel is done by air. If you live close to the land border of Mexico or Canada or are cruising perhaps without having to fly your passport card may have more usefulness although keep in mind it could not be used if you needed to transported to another country.

I chose my words carefully, with "more". My supposition is that the majority of passport card holders already have a regular passport book. $30 in addition is a fairly small fee and I think well worth it for a wallet-sized ID that serves as proof of citizenship and is valid for 10 years. I find it a real pain to carry around a passport book. I worry about getting it wet and what pocket do I put it in? I've mistakenly put my wallet in the washer/dryer and my passport card was still intact.

 

[disneychrista]

As for the cost - it's $30 extra for the passport card. It was $20 when I got mine. If one already has a passport book it's possible to get one as a "renewal" without any of the other costs other than getting a photo and mailing. But if one is already getting a passport book then it's just $30 more. I don't think it's that hard a decision. It's valid for 10 years and there can be cases where someone forgets to renew another ID and that might come in handy.

What if one only needs/wants the card? Would it still be the $30 or would it be more?

 

[bcla]

What if one only needs/wants the card? Would it still be the $30 or would it be more?

$30 plus any other fees. I think the "acceptance fee" is currently $35. So it would be $65 for just a passport card as a first time/long expired/voluntary renewal at an acceptance facility - $30 for the card paid to the State Dept and $35 to the acceptance facility.

But the key is that it has to be a mail-in renewal to avoid any other fees. Since I got my first passport, all my renewals have been mail-in renewals where I never paid an extra fee to the State Dept or to an "acceptance facility" like a post office or city/county clerk. My child isn't eligible for mail-in renewal though. But an adult can keep up mail-in (and possibly now online) renewals as long as they're renewed before 15 years since the last passport or passport card was issued. My main worry was about my application (with passport and/or card) being lost in the mail, but then again the State Dept sends non-rush passports by ordinary mail.

 

[sam_gordon]

I chose my words carefully, with "more". My supposition is that the majority of passport card holders already have a regular passport book. $30 in addition is a fairly small fee and I think well worth it for a wallet-sized ID that serves as proof of citizenship and is valid for 10 years. I find it a real pain to carry around a passport book. I worry about getting it wet and what pocket do I put it in? I've mistakenly put my wallet in the washer/dryer and my passport card was still intact.

How often have you found you have to show proof of citizenship? I can understand if someone travels between Canada/Mexico/US via land, or cruises often, but other than that, why?

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I chose my words carefully, with "more". My supposition is that the majority of passport card holders already have a regular passport book. $30 in addition is a fairly small fee and I think well worth it for a wallet-sized ID that serves as proof of citizenship and is valid for 10 years. I find it a real pain to carry around a passport book. I worry about getting it wet and what pocket do I put it in? I've mistakenly put my wallet in the washer/dryer and my passport card was still intact.

Where are you having to prove your citizenship in everyday life? Who is carrying around their passport book in everyday life? Is there something you need to tell us

Seriously though the vast majority of people just won't have a need for a passport card. It just become redundant at the end of the day. Now my husband's old coworker who had a power plant site just across the border in BC? Yeah a passport card would be helpful there as he flew into Seattle and drove across the border as flights were just easier but without that work function for 6+ months it wouldn't have been worth it even at $30. The reason it's not that expensive is because it's functionality is pretty low, it's just the talk (and you were not the only poster either) of the card, basically don't make it out to be what it isn't.

I personally wouldn't be carrying around my passport daily, and in the case of a wallet sized card well my husband's coworker when they had that theft in Sacramento left his wallet (dumb move but there were a lot of dumb moves at the time) in the vehicle and that was stolen. Had there been a passport card in there well that's some sensitive information being stolen and a hassle. Being able to shut your debit and cc card on and off is easy not so much with having to deal with reporting your passport card stolen and paying the fees to get new ones.

Just to give new information the new passports are being rolled out to have a hard laminated picture portion. My husband's replacement one issued this summer was like that. The page where his photo is is not just paper, it's basically like a card built into the book..kinda like a passport card almost

 

[bcla]

How often have you found you have to show proof of citizenship? I can understand if someone travels between Canada/Mexico/US via land, or cruises often, but other than that, why?

I-9 employment eligibility form. I’ve actually presented my passport card for that. I’ve also used it as ID at a bank, at an airport for domestic travel, or to buy alcohol. I also like that it doesn’t show my address if I’m paranoid that someone knows I’m not at home.

And the most obvious would be those worried about the possibility of ICE sweeps. I’ve heard of naturalized (or even native born) US citizens being detained on suspicion of being undocumented. Real ID doesn’t necessarily help because temporary visa holders can get one and continually renew.

But still, it’s $30 on top of a passport or continuously renewed. I don’t know of any other government ID that cheap. My driver license is valid for 5 years and costs more.

 

[bcla]

Where are you having to prove your citizenship in everyday life? Who is carrying around their passport book in everyday life? Is there something you need to tell us

Seriously though the vast majority of people just won't have a need for a passport card. It just become redundant at the end of the day. Now my husband's old coworker who had a power plant site just across the border in BC? Yeah a passport card would be helpful there as he flew into Seattle and drove across the border as flights were just easier but without that work function for 6+ months it wouldn't have been worth it even at $30. The reason it's not that expensive is because it's functionality is pretty low, it's just the talk (and you were not the only poster either) of the card, basically don't make it out to be what it isn't.

I personally wouldn't be carrying around my passport daily, and in the case of a wallet sized card well my husband's coworker when they had that theft in Sacramento left his wallet (dumb move but there were a lot of dumb moves at the time) in the vehicle and that was stolen. Had there been a passport card in there well that's some sensitive information being stolen and a hassle. Being able to shut your debit and cc card on and off is easy not so much with having to deal with reporting your passport card stolen and paying the fees to get new ones.

Just to give new information the new passports are being rolled out to have a hard laminated picture portion. My husband's replacement one issued this summer was like that. The page where his photo is is not just paper, it's basically like a card built into the book..kinda like a passport card almost

I’d worry far more about a driver license being stolen since it contains an address. I’ve mentioned that some people are worried about immigration sweeps. I’ve heard of two US citizens (one naturalized and one native born) who were detained by a sheriff’s deputy in Arizona on the way to a workplace immigration sweep. They were handcuffed in a patrol car for hours and couldn’t go to the bathroom. While the propriety of just randomly picking up someone who “looks illegal” can be debated, flashing proof of citizenship woukd have been useful. I’ve met someone originally from the border area who say that’s a concern even though she was born and grew up in the US.