Using passport page copies for id

I don't feel it is a good idea to always carry my passport so I was wondering if is OK to use the page copy from it and carry that instead. I won't have a driver's license and I don't know other proof of identity. Has anyone done this and put the passport/visa safely away?

You can get a provisional license to use as ID even if you never drive. It's also good to use as proof of address. I agree that I wouldn't carry my passport around on a regular basis.

Why not get a US passport card? It's fairly inexpensive (I think in the $30 range) as long as you already have a passport book, compact and is proof of ID and citizenship. I had no problems having it accepted in the UK. You can't use it to fly internationally but for most other things, it works fine.

Carrying ID around with you isn't required here like it is in so many places in the states.  I only carry mine with me if I know I need to use it for the bank or if I know I will need to prove me ID for something else.  And of course for traveling.  I'm like you.  I don't want to carry it around with me unless I really need to. 

You can get a provisional license to use as ID even if you never drive. It's also good to use as proof of address. I agree that I wouldn't carry my passport around on a regular basis.

Oh cool! I didn't know you could use one if you didn't drive. Thank you!

Why not get a US passport card? It's fairly inexpensive (I think in the $30 range) as long as you already have a passport book, compact and is proof of ID and citizenship. I had no problems having it accepted in the UK. You can't use it to fly internationally but for most other things, it works fine.

Thanks, I haven't heard of one of these? Where do you get them?

Carrying ID around with you isn't required here like it is in so many places in the states.  I only carry mine with me if I know I need to use it for the bank or if I know I will need to prove me ID for something else.  And of course for traveling.  I'm like you.  I don't want to carry it around with me unless I really need to. 

Thanks Lisa,  yes, we are needing proof of ID more and more here!

Thanks, I haven't heard of one of these? Where do you get them?

From the State Department, just like you do with a regular passport book. You print off a passport renewals form and tick the "passport card" box and mail in the application with your picture and the fee.

From the State Department, just like you do with a regular passport book. You print off a passport renewals form and tick the "passport card" box and mail in the application with your picture and the fee.

Thanks, I never ever knew of this! I use to be smart like you and read a form in its entirety but over the years I lost patience! (:

Thanks, I never ever knew of this! I use to be smart like you and read a form in its entirety but over the years I lost patience! (:

To be fair, it's only been available for the past few years so if you got your passport several years ago, it wouldn't have been an option. I renewed my passport in the summer of 2009 and it was really new then. I figured as long as I was sending everything in I might as well get the card, since at the time it was only $20. It's been useful as a form of ID, to get into bars, fly domestically and so forth. And if I ever cross the land border between the US and Canada or Mexico, I can use it instead of a passport.

I disagree with the concept of not carrying an ID at all times. You never know when you might get hit by a bus or something, and its important for the authorities to know your name and where you live.

I disagree with the concept of not carrying an ID at all times. You never know when you might get git by a bus or something, and its important for the authorities to know your name and where you live.

I don't drive so I have no DL and I refuse to carry my passport with me.  If I were to get hit by a bus or something, I have credit cards with my name, my NI card, grocery store club cards and my iphone full of contacts, including my own.  I think they could figure out who I was pretty easily, especially with the NI number. 

I don't drive so I have no DL and I refuse to carry my passport with me.  If I were to get hit by a bus or something, I have credit cards with my name, my NI card, grocery store club cards and my iphone full of contacts, including my own.  I think they could figure out who I was pretty easily, especially with the NI number. 

Yeah, at this point, I don't know which would be worse, losing passport or hit by bus but I don't carry a purse or wallet half the time. Guess I will gradually accumulate these bits of ID. Don't have a mobile yet either.

To be fair, it's only been available for the past few years so if you got your passport several years ago, it wouldn't have been an option. I renewed my passport in the summer of 2009 and it was really new then. I figured as long as I was sending everything in I might as well get the card, since at the time it was only $20. It's been useful as a form of ID, to get into bars, fly domestically and so forth. And if I ever cross the land border between the US and Canada or Mexico, I can use it instead of a passport.

Good, I don't feel totally out of the loop but I also renewed my passport in the same summer!
Thanks.

Yeah, at this point, I don't know which would be worse, losing passport or hit by bus

I would say that if I were to lose my passport, I might as well be hit by a bus.