New U.S. passport cards are here!

MIAMI — Travelers crossing U.S. land and sea borders can now replace their passport book with a new passport card.

Federal passport officials started issuing the wallet-size cards on July 14.

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More than 450,000 people have applied for the card, said Brenda Sprague, deputy assistant secretary of state for passport services, at a news conference Monday at the Port of Miami.

“The U.S. passport card is a less expensive and more affordable alternative to the U.S. passport book,” Sprague said.

The brand new document — which looks similar to a drivers license — can be used for people returning to the United States from Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean and Bermuda.

The pros: It’s cheaper ($45 for first-time applicants, $20 if the applicant already has a passport and $35 for children), it’s valid for the same period as a passport book, and it’s faster for border officials to check.

Its technology — a radio frequency identity chip — allows it to be read from up to 30 feet away. “It will make a difference as far as processing times,” said Chief Jose Castellano, spokesman with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The cons: U.S. travelers cannot use the card to travel by air. And no passport stamps.

“The one you choose will depend on your future travel plans,” Sprague said.

Those who applied before production started can expect their passport card between late August and early September, according to the State Department Web site. Passport officials expect to issue between 800,000 and one million passports by the end of the year. So far, about 200,000 of the new documents have been issued.

Border and Customs Protection agents have seen about 2,000 of the new cards, primarily at land crossings.

The card is especially designed for people who live near the border. It can also be an option for cruise travelers, although they should check with their cruise line before departure, Sprague said.

In less than a year, starting in June 2009, travelers must present a document showing citizenship and identity when entering the United States at land and sea crossings. “The convenient and affordable U.S. passport card will do that,” Sprague said. “Don’t delay. Be sure you have the document you need so you can travel anywhere in the world you need to go,” she added.

Article by: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/hotstories/5954336.html