Date: 9 Feb 2010 Comments: 0

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 ‘American 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.

Although the process for applications began several months earlier, the new card became available in July, 2008 to the public. The current number of issued passport card isn’t presently known, but as of May, 2009, in excess of 1,000,000 cards were issued.

Since the Civil Aviation Organization does not recognize the new card it is not valid for any type of international travel. Presently, the U.S. passport is issued only to citizens and nationals in the United States of America.

There is a vicinity-read frequency identification chip included in each new passport card issues. The chip has a unique identification number that’s tied to governmental databases. It’s designed so that it’s readable at a distance. This chip will not have information about the MRZ except the identification number. The card is issued with a sleeve preventing the chip’s not being read while not in use. This card is in response to residents living in border communities needing a card that’s portable.

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.

This ‘passport card’ may be used with the I-9 form which verifies eligibility for prospective employees as authorized by the U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The card is considered a List A document. It can be presented when new employees are verified during the eligibility process for employment. The List A documents are those used by employees to prove both identification and work authorization while completing the I-9 form. So employment eligibility will be in the handy and convenient for of a card for prospective employees.

Adults, 16 years of age and older, will initially pay a $25 processing fee and a $20 fee to purchase the card for a total of $45. Renewal fees will be $20. Adult cards will be good for ten years. The initial card will be $10 for a total of $35. Children’s cards are valid for five years. First time adult applicants pay $120.00; first time minors will pay $95.00.

Any US citizen or national may hold both the passport card and booklet. Adults who possess a valid passport pay $20 to obtain the card. Now passports are convenient – in a card! Makes things flow a lot more smoothly. Traveling out of the nation has just become easier.