US Passport Card COuld Be The Simple Way To Receive The U.S. Passport
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative has called for a change in requirements for identification. In order to meet these changes a new type of identification – known as the ‘Passport Card’ came into being. This card-passport replaces the PASS card; known as the People Access Security Service Card. This will be a convenient and handy way to present the identification that the US Passport had furnished for many years.
The first passport cards became available for issue in July, 2008. The United States Department of State has not given an updated number of cards issued as of May, 2009. The US State Department estimates, however, that more than 1,000,000 cards have been issued.
Potential applicants to obtain the new passport card should be aware that it’s not suitable for all sorts of international travel. This is because the CAO fails to recognize this card to be used for such purposes. Too, the new passport card is available to citizens and nationals only who are living in the country legally with documentation.
The United States Department of State decided to issue this card in response to border community residents’ needs for a more portable alternative to the traditional booklet form. The card also includes a vicinity-read radio frequency identification chip with a one of a kind identifying number tied to government databases. The chip is designed to be readable at a further distance.
Another feature of the ‘REAL ID’ Act is that the card will be accepted by the federal government. It can be used in domestic air travel and for entering federal buildings. It is believed that this will be an alternative for people residing in the U. S. who possess ID cards or driver’s licenses that don’t comply. It’s also accepted by the TSA as identity at airport checkpoints.
The form, which establishes employment eligibility, also known as the I-9 form, will accept the new passport to prove eligibility to work in the United States. It is also noted that the card-passport provides identification as well as also authorizing eligibility to work in the U. S.
The total charge of $35 will provide a card valid for five years. Renewal fees will be $10. An adult, 16 years of old and older will pay the same $25 processing fee along with $20 for the passport. Renewal fees are $20. The card will remain valid for 10 years. For first-time applicants who are adults, the cost will be $120.00; for first time minor applicants, the cost will be $95.00. For a wallet size card, the cost is $25.00 when you apply for both documents at the same time.
Any adult who has a valid passport book can pay a fee of $20 in order to apply for the United States passport card. A citizen or national is allowed to possess both the passport card and the booklet. In either form, it entitles the holder to apply for the other form (or both forms) as a ‘renewal’ by mail at the end of the period. Soon passport application identification will be practical and at hand in a card! This will make traveling internationally much easier and this means less worry when traveling.
