United States Wallet Size Passport Card

[JJReyes]

Since the summer of 2008, the U.S. State Department has been issuing a "wallet size" passport card. You can actually apply for one that is independent from a regular passport application. The primary use is land or sea border crossing between Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean. You can't use it for international travel by air. The fee is relatively inexpensive and the card is valid for 10 years.

Even if the Passport Card is limited use, it is government-issued and serves as proof of identity and citizenship. I have one, which is kept separate from my regular passport. If my regular passport is lost or stolen, the Passport Card can be shown when requesting a replacement regular passport from a US consulate or embassy.

A friend of mine lost both his passport and wallet. The problem was the Thai security guards at the US Embassy in Bangkok wouldn't permit him in the building because he had no identity card. The Thai security guards don't speak English. He was finally permitted entry through the intercession of a roving US Marine Corp guard.

[i am bob]

Are you referring to the Nexus Card?

[JJReyes]

I believe the Nexus card is another type of identity card acceptable for border crossing. Previously, you only needed a valid driver's license, but that stopped in 2009 when they tightened cross-border requirements. The Passport Card has a security chip, which is linked to a database.

[i am bob]

You're right! I kept looking for Nexus alternatives and I should have just googled US Passport Card. It costs about $55 less than a regular passport but can only be used in WHTI (Western Hemisphere Travel Initiatives) countries - which leaves out a couple of the Caribbean countries. :cheersty:

[Bil Brock]

The passport card is only of use of one just goes to Canada or Mexico. Best to just shell over the extra few dollard & ger a real passport.