Passport question tinged with aggravation

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

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 if she grew up in the US.

I'd be worried about a DL too but carrying around a passport card and not being concerned there doesn't really make as much sense. You've said like twice now you're worried about a passport book getting wet but if you're carrying around a passport card I'd be more concerned about theft or losing it more than I would be concerned about a passport book getting wet.

With all due respect your advice to get a passport card keeps changing and it's hard to keep up. I don't think there's any harm in getting a passport card but I wouldn't tell everyone to get one just because it's only 30 bucks more and fits in a wallet. And while I do understand there are people who live in fear everyday of people questioning the validity of their citizenship I'm not sure that's a reason the average person who is getting a passport card or is getting advice from someone regarding it is getting it for that reason much less on this thread (although I do try not to assume too much about the exact posters on this Board).

 

[disneychrista]

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.

Yes you can use a passport for an I-9 but you do not NEED it for that purpose. Same for ID purposes for bank, travel, etc. Your driver license works just as well if not better for this.

 

[scrapquitler]

I got a passport card for me and my kids for domestic travel. My state is very far behind on real id so I just added it on. My kids are 13 so should not need anything but I like the idea that they will have some official id card just in case.

you can also get them a non-drivers photo id from your states DMV. My kids have had them for years. You need to show all the same documentation as you would for getting a drivers license and pay a fee (its a little less than the price of a drivers license if I remember correctly)

 

[bcla]

you can also get them a non-drivers photo id from your states DMV. My kids have had them for years. You need to show all the same documentation as you would for getting a drivers license and pay a fee (its a little less than the price of a drivers license if I remember correctly)

I lot of parents don't get those because there are rarely any ID requirements for children, other than international travel. Even US citizen children going across to Canada only need a US birth certificate without photo ID. We did get one, but it was really just an interesting exercise when my child was 4. And it was really weird because my child wasn't tall enough for the camera at the lowest level. The photo looks a little awkward because I was involved in propping up my kid. The most interesting part is that it says what year my kid will turn 18 and then 21.

I did look into Real ID for my kid though, especially the part about proof of address, since it's uncommon that a child will have the kind of mail needed for Real ID address verification. If there's anything, it would be for later on when a state ID transitions into a driver license. I'm pretty sure that my kid would maintain the same number.

Originally I got my passport card at a time when my state was getting Real ID implementation extensions and there was the possibility that the feds would stop extending. The rationale for the passport card was that there were stricter requirements for traveling by land. I know a lot of adults would get across with a birth certificate and other photo ID, but I even heard that some would just produce a driver license to go to Canada and return to the US.

 

[disneychrista]

I did look into Real ID for my kid though, especially the part about proof of address, since it's uncommon that a child will have the kind of mail needed for Real ID address verification. If there's anything, it would be for later on when a state ID transitions into a driver license. I'm pretty sure that my kid would maintain the same number.

My understanding for a child under 18 the address verification can be done via mail with the parents name on it, as long as the parents name matches what is on the birth certificate.

 

[TinkAgainU]

+1 for paying the $30 for the card IN ADDITION to a regular passport. We occasionally go to Mexico on a cruise, and I prefer leaving the passport book safely locked up on the ship, but carry the card when on excursions. For $30 over 10 years, that seems pretty cheap for something to carry. In theory, you'd need the passport book to fly home in an emergency, but in an emergency, I am going to hope the card would be sufficient to get me home.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

+1 for paying the $30 for the card IN ADDITION to a regular passport. We occasionally go to Mexico on a cruise, and I prefer leaving the passport book safely locked up on the ship, but carry the card when on excursions. For $30 over 10 years, that seems pretty cheap for something to carry. In theory, you'd need the passport book to fly home in an emergency, but in an emergency, I am going to hope the card would be sufficient to get me home.

I wouldn't be taking my passport unless the excursion required it regardless. That would include your passport card. We have an excursion we may be potentially looking at that would have us crossing the borders into Albania and it does state you'll need your passport physically for that but otherwise none of our excursions would need it.

I can understand your risk analysis here but a photocopy for identity also works. I've seen recommendations about using your DL for a photo ID as well.

If your passport card is lost or stolen you'll want to report that.

Do not in anyway think your passport card can get you home in an emergency. Your passport card is only good for land or sea crossings that's it. We're talking about the Federal Government's rules here. They don't care about an emergency and an airline can't either. Only thing I could possibly see is if the U.S. government is stepping in to get our own citizens out but that is incredibly rare.