In recent years, the United States has released an alternative to the passport. This is what a US passport card is. It's a document for travel that's used to get into the United States at land crossings and ports of entry by sea from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. This form of ID is cheap and smaller than the passport book. It is a convenient 2nd option for people who do a bit of traveling between these countries by sea or by land. It became available starting July 14th, 2008 and has already been issued to more than 2,700,000 United States citizens.

Be aware that unlike the booklet, the card will not be able to be used for international air travel. It was designed for people living in the Northern and Southern borders of the United States. It is targeted at people who travel frequently to Canada or Mexico respectively without having the hassle of having to bring their booklet every time they traveled between countries or applying for an urgent U.S. passport.

There is an electronic chip inside each one produced that has a vicinity-read frequency identification chip that helps quicken the process of government identification. This chip does not hold any personal information on it. It holds a unique number that identifies a stored record within government databases.

You don't need to worry about security either. Each card is engraved by lasers with state-of-the-art technology, which keep security at a maximum while limiting the ability of criminals to try to counterfeit your documents. It also comes with a sleeve that protects the card from being scratched or read.

If you're looking to apply, first gather all the required papers that you need to prove that you are a citizen. Then find some proper identification. Citizenship proof includes an old, undamaged US passport, a birth certificate or a report of birth abroad, a birth certificate certified by the state, county, or city, a citizenship certificate, or a certificate of naturalization.

Proper identification includes a certificate of naturalization, current government ID - state, federal, or city, a valid military ID, or a valid driver's license. In addition to these forms of ID, you are also required to bring one small photograph that is 2 by 2 inches. Only a single photo is required. As soon as you have prepared all the required documents, print and fill out the DS-11 form available online, and go in person to one of several application facilities across the United States. You can locate these places on the Internet.

Application fees for adults are $30, and execution fees are $25. For kids under 16 years old, application fees are $15. Execution fees are still $25.

After you submit the application, it typically takes between four and six weeks to fully process and ship. There is expedited service available which costs a bit extra. It typically takes between two and three weeks.

When applying for your passport card, make sure you give yourself plenty of time so you have it in time for your trip. Nothing is worse than getting to the airport and not having the correct forms of ID, even after applying for an urgent passport. Have fun and be safe!