The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative has called for a change in requirements for identification. In order to meet these changes a new type of identification - known as the 'Passport Card' came into being. This card-passport replaces the PASS card; known as the People Access Security Service Card. This will be a convenient and handy way to present the identification that the US Passport had furnished for many years.

February of 2008 was when applications for the passport “license” or card started. The cards were then made available to the public the following July. The US State Department has estimated that over one million cards were issued.

The passport card is issued only to nationals and United States citizens. The card cannot be used for international air travel because they do not meet International Civil Aviation Organization document standards.

The United States Department of State decided to issue this card in response to border community residents' needs for a more portable alternative to the traditional booklet form. The card also includes a vicinity-read radio frequency identification chip with a one of a kind identifying number tied to government databases. The chip is designed to be readable at a further distance.

This card has a protective sleeve that blocks RFID while inside. REAL ID is an Act that allows that the new passport card will also be accepted for federal purposes. This includes domestic air travel or entrance to federal buildings. TSA regulations list the card as an acceptable identity document at airport security checkpoints. This convenient, new 'passport card' is legal for entering the United States from our bordering countries: Mexico and Canada, as well as Bermuda and the Caribbean. This card 'passport' will be only legal at land, sea port or border crossings. It won't be legal for other air travel.

This 'passport card' may be used with the I-9 form which verifies eligibility for prospective employees as authorized by the U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The card is considered a List A document. It can be presented when new employees are verified during the eligibility process for employment. The List A documents are those used by employees to prove both identification and work authorization while completing the I-9 form. So employment eligibility will be in the handy and convenient for of a card for prospective employees.

The total charge of $35 will provide a card valid for five years. Renewal fees will be $10. An adult, 16 years of old and older will pay the same $25 processing fee along with $20 for the passport. Renewal fees are $20. The card will remain valid for 10 years. For first-time applicants who are adults, the cost will be $120.00; for first time minor applicants, the cost will be $95.00. For a wallet size card, the cost is $25.00 when you apply for both documents at the same time.

Any US citizen or national may hold both the US passport card and booklet. Adults who possess a valid United States passport pay $20 to obtain the card. Now passports are convenient - in a card! Makes things flow a lot more smoothly. Traveling out of the nation has just become easier.