Lieutenant Governor Gregory R. Francis is alerting applicants that have or will apply for the new passport card of an announced delay in the processing of the new cards by the State Department.

“Due to this delay, the U.S. Department of State is alerting the public that passport cards will not be released until the month of July,” Lt. Governor Francis said.

Production on the passport cards, which were introduced to eliminate the need of a full passport for land and sea travel between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean, will begin in June. In the Virgin Islands, passport cards will be immediately beneficial for travel by ferry to and from the British Virgin Islands.

“It is important to remember that passport cards are not designed to be used for air travel,” Lt. Governor Francis stated.

The Office of the Lieutenant Governor Passport Division will continue to accept applications for passport cards. The card has the same validity period as a passport book: 10 years for an adult and five years for children 15 and younger.  Adults who already have a fully valid passport may apply for the card as a passport renewal and pay only $20. First-time applicants will pay $45 for adult cards and $35 for children.
 
Lt. Governor Francis, who oversees the Passport Office, also reminds the public that a passport is required for international travelers to and from the United States and its territories.