Expedited American Passport Card – Get A United Says Passport This day
By Advisor. Filed in Florida |
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 passport card will allow passage to border trips such as Canada and Mexico. This is a dramatic change from years past as the only ID that was needed before was a drivers license or birth certificate. Rules have changed, but exceptions are made for some trips that are close to home. This is great news for casual travelers as the passport card slips right into the wallet and there is no bulky passport book to carry or possibly lose.
A passport card can be obtained in the same manner as a passport. All of the forms are the same as is the entire process. An added benefit if getting a passport card is that it is also much less expensive than a regular passport. A quick Internet search will show the post office or other agency where they have the ability to be obtained.
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 Says before. Also, it can’t 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.
What makes the difference in the passport card is the electronic coding and laser engraving that is featured as a security measure. While state ID’s have come a long way, they are simply not as secure as the process in which a passport card is created. These safety measures can’t be forged at this time and it is yet one more step to making sure that the borders are indeed secure.
To get an expedited passport card, everything must be in order or the process will be delayed. Something that some people don’t realize is that it is their responsibility to have the pic taken and ready when they get to the passport office. In addition to that, proper ID and proof of citizenship must be gathered. The expedited service will also require that an additional fee be paid.
When turning in all of the documentation and paperwork, make sure that everything is an original. It is also a safe bet to make additional duplicates of all of the forms of ID for your own records. If using a mail in service, it is always ideal to use a major carrier and use the overnight mailing. This ensures delivery and is much more secure than randomly mailing out the documents.
For years, people have been taking advantage of the capability to freely cross borders to places such as Canada without passports. Because of the horrible events of the past decade, the United Says has had to shore up their border policies and this is one of the changes that have been made. By using expedited U.S. passport card services, that planned trip scan still go off without a hitch. You should have no trouble obtaining a American passport.
Tuesday, March 2nd 2010 at 6:30 pm
Great article! I recommend getting expedited services, if you need them, from RushMyPassport.com.