Eaton Peabody

U.S. citizens may begin applying for the new U.S. Passport Card beginning February 1, 2008, in anticipation of land border travel document requirements. See http://travel.state.gov/pdf/WHTI_Passport_Sheet.pdf. This may be good news for residents of Calais, Houlton, Madawaska, and other border towns in Maine.

The passport card will facilitate entry at land and sea ports-of entry from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda, carries the same rights and privileges of the U.S. passport book, and will be valid for 10 years for adults, 5 years for children 15 and younger. 

This card is to facilitate travel by U.S. citizens living in border communities, and cannot be used for travel by air. The passport cards will contain a chip allowing CBP officers to access the information about travelers from secure government databases in advance of arrival at the inspection booth. The chips, however, contain no personal information.

The passport card is somewhat less expensive than a traditional passport. The initial application fees for the U.S. Passport Card are currently $45 for adults and $35 for children, compared with $97 and $82, respectively, for U.S. passport books. The cards may also be easier to use and keep track of since they are wallet sized. They may also be less susceptible to normal wear and tear.

For those who travel regularly, it still may make sense to obtain a traditional passport for use in air and land travel. 

Please contact Matthew S. Raynes, mraynes@eatonpeabody.com, for further information.