Passport Books and Cards

[Next Generation]

Time to renew DD's passport. Does anyone have input as to whether a Passport Card would be a useful and convenient travel document, or will she always need to produce her Passport Book? We don't mind spending the extra $30 if the card is useful, but obviously would rather save it if it isn't.

 

[MaggieMae66]

Passport card is only good for land travel to certain borders only, like US to Mexico or Canada. You need a passport book to fly anywhere overseas. Passport book is what they will need for their military time.

 

[AJC]

Depending on you state your drivers license might not meet federal regulations cannot be used as identification for entering government facilities such as West Point. A passport card does.

 

[Next Generation]

Sounds like there could be reason for both. Thanks!

 

[rjb]

Depending on you state your drivers license might not meet federal regulations cannot be used as identification for entering government facilities such as West Point. A passport card does.

Wouldn't their military ID card be a better form of ID at a government facility like West Point?

 

[AJC]

It would, but if you are visiting or arriving for the first time you would not have a Military ID to present.

here is a link, scroll down for a map that shows which states comply;
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/29/b...e-state-drivers-licenses-for-travel.html?_r=0

 

[rjb]

It would, but if you are visiting or arriving for the first time you would not have a Military ID to present.

If your DS/DD is arriving for the first time as in R-Day -

"Make sure you have a U.S. Tourist Passport valid through at least August 16, 2015; if possible, renew your passport now so it’s valid for your entire time at the Academy. The process to obtain or renew a passport can take up to eight weeks, so plan accordingly. You must have your passport on R-Day." (this from cadet handbook - class of 2018)

A passport card might have use for a cadet on leave and traveling within the restrictions of the card use, but an option, not a requirement.

 

[TennisDad]

Listen to RJB - they need a passport.

 

[AJC]

The OP was asking if they should get a card in addition to the passport.

 

[Next Generation]

I'll pay the extra $30 and get both. If she can use it, great. If not, it's what - the cost of two 3-D movie tickets on a Saturday night? We can swing that!

 

[TennisDad]

There is no reason to have the card if you have a passport.

 

[LineInTheSand]

No reason to not get the card

 

[grevar]

Agreed. No reason for the card

 

[LineInTheSand]

Except it's much easier to deal with in the Caribbean. And it looks cool. And when you need proof of citizenship it's much easier to carry.

 

[LineInTheSand]

Of course once you graduate you may eventually get an official passport (which has many rules associated with it).

 

[rjb]

It would, but if you are visiting or arriving for the first time you would not have a Military ID to present.

If your DS/DD is arriving for the first time as in R-Day -

"Make sure you have a U.S. Tourist Passport valid through at least August 16, 2015; if possible, renew your passport now so it’s valid for your entire time at the Academy. The process to obtain or renew a passport can take up to eight weeks, so plan accordingly. You must have your passport on R-Day." (this from cadet handbook - class of 2018)

A passport card might have use for a cadet on leave and traveling within the restrictions of the card use, but an option, not a req

 

[F15DOC]

I just spoke with admissions, here is the deal.
They stated the passport is so the cadet is available for any "opportunities" that may arrive. It is not REQUIRED at the time of RDay, so don't panic.
The Passport card only works for Canada and Mexico, much like an EDL (Enhanced Drivers License).
Don't forget that you need to send the birth certificate to the academy, and they will have it for a week or two.
So don't send off the birth certificate with the passport application or you will be stuck!

 

[Next Generation]

I just spoke with admissions, here is the deal.
They stated the passport is so the cadet is available for any "opportunities" that may arrive. It is not REQUIRED at the time of RDay, so don't panic.
The Passport card only works for Canada and Mexico, much like an EDL (Enhanced Drivers License).
Don't forget that you need to send the birth certificate to the academy, and they will have it for a week or two.
So don't send off the birth certificate with the passport application or you will be stuck!

Wow, thanks so much for this research!

 

[LurkingQuietly]

Of course once you graduate you may eventually get an official passport (which has many rules associated with it).

My DS 4/c applied for his "red" passport a couple weeks ago. I'm not sure if he needed it because they need to meet the Eagle in London (I think they're going on a C-130 or something like that, I get very little uncoerced information from him) or because he needs to travel on orders to meet up with his summer billet that is overseas.

I asked my Daughter-in-law, who is a 1st class Yeoman why he needed a red passport. She said anyone who travels overseas on orders needs a Red. She said my other son has one, he's a flight engineer, and he travels with it all the time when he fly's overseas.

 

[LineInTheSand]

My DS 4/c applied for his "red" passport a couple weeks ago. I'm not sure if he needed it because they need to meet the Eagle in London (I think they're going on a C-130 or something like that, I get very little uncoerced information from him) or because he needs to travel on orders to meet up with his summer billet that is overseas.

I asked my Daughter-in-law, who is a 1st class Yeoman why he needed a red passport. She said anyone who travels overseas on orders needs a Red. She said my other son has one, he's a flight engineer, and he travels with it all the time when he fly's overseas.

Maybe a C-17? I'm not sure what the range is on a C-130.

I got my official passport (the "red" one) a few years after I graduated, for a joint program with DOD. I didn't need it at any other time.... but things have also changed since then, so I don't really know.