| Beginning production on July 14, 2008, the US | | | | information. |
| Passport Card has been well received by many, | | | | |
| but numerous organizations and individuals | | | | Many opponents of the passport card claim |
| have disputed the right to privacy associated | | | | this is going too far; that it is an invasion |
| with this credit card sized passport. Issued | | | | of privacy. All the while, the government |
| by the US Department of State, this | | | | claims this is completely safe because there |
| convenient card has been filled with much | | | | is no personal information directly on the |
| controversy thanks to the addition of one | | | | card itself. All the card has on it is a |
| electronic chip. | | | | personal number that points to a government |
| | | | secured database with all of the personal and |
| The process for obtaining the Passport Card | | | | relevant information. |
| is quite similar to the traditional Passport | | | | |
| Book. You will still need the appropriate | | | | The government also claims that this has been |
| verification and identification, but you will | | | | done using the latest of technologies |
| pay considerable less for the card generally | | | | guaranteeing you and your information's |
| more than 50 percent, and renewals only cost | | | | safety. In addition, you will want to get the |
| about $20 at this time. | | | | protective sleeve that guarantees your |
| | | | passport card can only be read at the |
| How people use the Passport Card will vary | | | | appropriate time. Unless you remove the card |
| greatly from how those Passport Book holders | | | | from the protective sleeve, it cannot be |
| will use their book. A passport card is only | | | | read. |
| valid for travel by land or sea which means | | | | |
| it is going to target US citizens traveling | | | | As of August, 2008, expedited services were |
| to neighboring countries. If you plan on | | | | not available when applying for your passport |
| traveling into or out of the US, you will | | | | card. However, the government has stated it |
| still need a passport book. | | | | "anticipates" that expedited services will be |
| | | | available at a later date. This means if you |
| This means if you plan on crossing from the | | | | are interested in this new card, you will |
| US to Mexico, Bermuda, Canada, or the | | | | want to apply well in advance. |
| Caribbean, this little card may be just right | | | | |
| for you. The internationally accepted travel | | | | In addition, overnight delivery is not |
| document is still recognized as the passport | | | | available. You will need to apply and use |
| book which means you will still need this to | | | | First Class Mail service instead of the |
| travel abroad. | | | | convenience overnight delivery saying time |
| | | | for an additional fee. |
| The controversy is not so much that there is | | | | |
| a smaller version of the passport book, but | | | | While the passport card has been filled with |
| that in each card there is a vicinity-read | | | | controversy, many people are still waiting to |
| radio frequency identification chip. This | | | | apply for this convenience. Is this |
| tiny electronic chip will allow people such | | | | technology right for you? Only you know the |
| as border patrol inspectors to scan a scanner | | | | answer, but if you are concerned about this |
| type gun at you and get a specific number | | | | technology, you may still be able to apply |
| that will pull up a lot of your personal | | | | for the traditional passport book. |