U.S. Passports Questions and Answers

Passport questions often come up when you’re getting ready for international travel. From choosing between a passport book and card to knowing when to apply, here are answers to some of the questions travelers ask most often.

Should I get a Passport Book or Passport Card?

This is an excellent question. There is most definitely a difference between the two.

The Passport Card is for land border crossings such as for traveling to Mexico and Canada.

The Passport Book is the Gold Standard, in my opinion. It’s for all international travel by land, sea, and air, including land border crossings.

The Passport Book is more expensive than the Card, but it gives travelers more flexibility. With it you can go beyond North America. The U.S. State Department now has a fee calculator on their website that will make it easy to determine the cost. The price you pay depends on what you need, how quickly you need it processed and returned. Click here for current passport fees.

Can I have two Passports?

Yes, there are some circumstances where you can have two passports. People who often travel to visa countries can apply for and receive a second passport. Having two passports allows you to go with one passport, and send the other for visa processing. Click here to read about requirements for a second passport.

When Should I Apply For A Passport?

If at all possible, apply for your passport when you begin to think about traveling or before you decide to travel; when it’s a glimmer of an idea. It’s a good idea to have your passport in hand before purchasing international airline tickets so you can make certain the name on your ticket matches your passport exactly.

Prices for air travel can fluctuate from day to day. Sales pop up and go away too.  When you have your passport ready in your hands, you can take advantage of those opportunities that can arise.

If Europe is in your travel plans, having a valid passport is only part of being prepared. You should also know about the Europe Entry/Exit System (EES) and what U.S. travelers can expect when going through passport control.

If you think, I know what it’s going to read, because I filled out the application myself, don’t be so sure.  Even the U.S. Government can make a mistake when issuing one.  I’ve seen it happen and it’s not something that will be overlooked by Customs officials. As a travel professional who values exactness, I will only issue an international airline ticket using valid passport information, and I recommend you do that too.

Do Driver’s License and Passport have to match?

No, they don’t, but it’s a good idea. If you show your valid passport, you aren’t required to present your driver’s license also. But the name on your airline ticket must match the name on your government-issued photo id. To save time and confusion, always match everything to the name on your Passport. When everything is the same, there’s no problem.

What if my Passport Gets Damaged?

You can be denied boarding on an international flight if your passport is damaged. Chewed by the dog? Waterlogged? Something else? Make a point to renew it right away if anything happens.

What if I have more Passport Questions?

The  U.S. Department of State passport application site is the go-to website for all things passport related. You’ll find answers to questions, application forms, calculators and more.

Before You Travel

Once you have your passport, keep it somewhere safe and check the expiration date well before every international trip. I also recommend keeping a secure digital copy of the information page where you can access it if your passport is lost or stolen while you’re traveling.

If you travel internationally regularly, Global Entry may also be worth considering. To learn more about Global Entry and other options, visit the official Trusted Traveler Programs website.