While passport documentation is required for the crossing of all borders now, an actual passport is not actually needed. When heading to places such as Mexico and Canada or some cruises, an expedited passport card will more than do the trick. Anyone thinking that they are short on time and that the trip is at risk can rest easy because there is a solution.
The traveler who truly travels the world will still need a regular passport, but someone who merely visits the Caribbean, Mexico and Canada does not need an actual passport. For this type of trip, the passport card is perfectly acceptable. It is very similar in appearance to a license, except it is issued by the State Department and can be substituted for a passport for certain destinations.
An expedited passport card is applied for in much the same manner as a regular or expedited passport. There is still an issuing agency that must be used in order to secure one of these. These agencies may all be found online by doing a simple search and choosing the one that is right for you.
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 States before. Also, it cannot 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 cannot 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 do not realize is that it is their responsibility to have the photo 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.
One thing to make note of is that when applying for a passport, all documentation must be the original forms. If anything is laminated or copied, it will not be accepted. If the documents are being mailed in for renewal, be sure to use a major overnight service that will provide tracking detail and guarantee delivery.
For years, people have been taking advantage of the ability to freely cross borders to places such as Canada without passports. Because of the horrible events of the past decade, the United States has had to shore up their border policies and this is one of the changes that have been made. By using expedited passport card services, that planned trip scan still go off without a hitch. You should have no trouble obtaining a U.S. passport.