A passport card is simply a wallet-sized version of a standard passport book with some limitations. The card works only for border travel to and from the U.S. to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bahamas. An expedited passport card costs less than a regular passport and is much more convenient to have around.

The traveler who truly travels the world will still need a regular passport, but someone who merely visits the Caribbean, Mexico and Canada does not need an actual passport. For this type of trip, the passport card is perfectly acceptable. It is very similar in appearance to a license, except it is issued by the State Department and can be substituted for a passport for certain destinations.

Applying for a passport card is much the same process as applying for a standard passport. Actually, all of the same forms are going to be used. The entire process can be handled at a regional office or a local post office that handles passport processing. Anyone not sure of where to go can do a local Internet search and find a location near them.

The card itself does have restrictions on it. It was made in place of a passport for areas that had never really required passport documentation from the United States before. Also, it cannot be used for air travel at all. This card is meant for cruise traveler and actual border crossings to places like Mexico. Now, instead of only needed a valid driver’s license, the passport card serves as the official accepted ID.

A passport card is extremely secure, using state of the art laser engraving and electronic coding to make it unique. The chip that is built in to the card contains absolutely no personal information that may be removed, should the wrong individual get their hands on the card. Each year the government looks to the technology sector in an attempt to make the cards even more secure.

In order to receive an expedited passport card, one must submit the same type of documentation as when applying for a standard passport. This will include items such as birth and naturalization papers along with two color photographs. There is a standard processing fee that is charged by the government along with the fees from the issuing agency being used to expedite the process.

When the documentation is being submitted, be sure to have originals and not copies or even certified copies. These will not be acceptable and will only slow the process while waiting on the correct ones. When sending the documents in, be sure to mail them through a trackable carrier such as FedEx or UPS so their progress may be monitored. This is sensitive, personal information and everything possible should be done to safeguard it.

The expedited USA Passport card can be a great benefit to those that live near a country’s border and have the need to regularly cross to the other side. Whether the need is for business or pleasure, this is a much more convenient method than regular a U S passport and much easier to carry. There are many issuing agents that may be located online and all are waiting to serve you.