U.S. Passport Card Online Application Now Available

[The Straight Story]

U.S. Passport Card Online Application Now Available

Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
January 23, 2012

On January 24, the Department of State’s Office of Passport Services will launch a 90-day pilot program allowing adult U.S. citizens living in the United States and Canada to apply for a passport card online. By applying online, customers will not be required to mail in their current passport book and necessary forms, saving them time and money.

To participate in this program, applicants must currently possess a valid 10-year U.S. passport book, upload an acceptable digital photograph and make an online payment in U.S. dollars via Pay.gov. Applications accepted through the program will be subject to the same strict adjudication standards as in-person or mail-in applications.

This pilot program is the Department’s signature initiative under Presidential Executive Order 13571 to simplify customer service interactions and streamline related processes, making them more efficient.

The Department of State began producing the passport card in 2008 in response to travel document requirements imposed by the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. Since then, more than 4.5 million cards have been issued. The wallet-sized passport card is a low-cost alternative to the passport book. The U.S. passport card costs $30 for current passport book holders, and is valid for land and sea travel to and from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. It is not valid for international air travel.

To apply for the passport card using the online application, visit travel.state.gov.

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2012/01/182345.htm

[Angry Dragon]

1. Yhey must be expecting a lot of people leaving the country

[PuppyBismark]

2. Passport Card is NOT valid for flying to Canada or Mexico

For some stupid reason, one cannot use the card to fly to Canada, but only to drive or take a boat. This makes no sense and forces one to get a real passport when one is not needed. Leave it to DHLS to do something silly like this.

[kestrel91316]

3. Passport cards are supposed to be acceptable as sole ID for flying WITHIN the US.

But when I flew at Christmas to the Midwest the security guy said it wasn't enough and demanded my driver's license. I didn't offer it because it's expired and I have no car for now and don't need it. Thank heavens I had it on me. He didn't care that IT was expired. Insane.

TSA website says it is sufficient but this guy decided he could independently change the rules. I almost made a BIG stink about it but decided I would rather visit family than be arrested.