Can I keep the same passport number on my new passport that I had on my previous one?

by Charlie
(Salisbury, MD USA)

Question: Many legal documents in Costa Rica require passport numbers. Every time I renew my U.S. passport, I have to pay a lawyer to redo my papers of property ownership. It would be so much easier for me if I could have my renewed passport have the same number as my out of date passport.

Answer: While I am sure that it would be more convenient to keep the same number, it is not possible. Every passport that is issued has a new number. The blank passports already arrive at the regional processing centers with the numbers in them. Is there any other document that you could use that would substitute your passport on the legal documents?

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