How to Get a Second Passport Book and Why You May Need One

Most U.S. citizens can possess only one valid passport book at a time. The Department of State issues a second passport book only when the applicant has a documented need that meets its requirements.

A second passport book has a different passport number, carries a special endorsement, and is valid for four years or less. The Department of State does not issue second passport cards.

This guide explains who qualifies, how to apply, and how to get help when travel is urgent.

Acceptable Reasons for a Second Passport Book

You may qualify for a second passport book for any of the following reasons:

1. Your travel history could create visa or entry problems. A foreign destination may deny a visa or entry because your current passport contains stamps or visas showing travel to another destination.
2. Your passport is being held for a foreign visa application. A foreign embassy or consulate may need to keep your passport while processing a visa, leaving you without it for another international trip.
3. You travel frequently and need to apply for multiple foreign visas. This commonly affects airline employees, international business travelers, and others who need visas for several destinations on an ongoing basis.
4. You have another documented need recognized by Passport Services. Examples include needing special validation for travel to a restricted destination, preserving a passport that contains a valid visa, changing an endorsement in an emergency, or needing additional endorsements when no space remains.

Reasons That Do Not Qualify

Convenience alone is not enough to qualify for a second passport book. A passport that is locked away, packed during a move, left in another city, or otherwise unavailable for a personal reason does not establish a qualifying need.

If your current passport is lost or stolen, you must report it as lost or stolen and apply for a replacement. Reporting the passport invalidates it, so the replacement does not become a second valid passport.

If a foreign embassy, consulate, or delivery service loses your passport during a visa application, report the loss and apply for a replacement rather than applying for a second passport book.

How to Apply for a Second Passport Book

The correct application process depends on whether you can submit your current full-validity, 10-year passport book with the application.

1. Use Form DS-82 by mail if you can submit your current passport. Follow the standard passport renewal instructions and include your valid passport book with the application.
2. Use Form DS-11 in person if you cannot submit your current passport. Apply at a passport acceptance facility, regional passport agency, or passport center. Do not sign Form DS-11 until an acceptance agent instructs you to do so.

In addition to the requirements for your application form, submit:

• A signed and dated statement explaining why you need a second passport book
• Documents supporting the reason for your request
• One recent passport photo
• Payment for the required passport fees
• Any citizenship, identification, or supporting documents required for Form DS-82 or Form DS-11

Passport Services reviews each second-passport request individually. Submitting all required documents does not guarantee approval.

If approved, the second passport book will have a different passport number, a special endorsement, and a validity period of four years or less.

Frequently Asked Questions About Second Passport Books

How long does it take to get a second passport?

Second passport processing times follow the current routine and expedited processing times for passport books.

Routine processing currently takes 4 to 6 weeks.

Expedited processing currently takes 2 to 3 weeks.

If you need faster service, you have two options:

1. Visit a regional passport agency or center. You can request an appointment when you have urgent international travel within 14 calendar days or need a foreign visa within 28 calendar days of travel. You must provide proof of international travel and meet the requirements for a second passport book.
2. Get help from a registered passport courier. A courier can simplify document review, submission logistics, tracking, pickup, and return delivery for an eligible urgent application. Compare the currently available service speeds for your travel date, especially if traveling to a regional agency is impractical.

How much does a second passport cost?

You pay the standard passport book application fee. Applicants using Form DS-11 also pay the acceptance facility's execution fee, while applicants using Form DS-82 do not. Expedited processing, optional delivery, and private courier fees are additional. Review the current passport fees before applying.

How does a second passport differ from a regular passport?

A second passport book has a different passport number, includes a special endorsement, and is valid for four years or less instead of the standard 10 years. It is issued only for an approved qualifying need. The Department of State does not issue second passport cards.

Are there restrictions on using a second passport?

Use the second passport book for the circumstances that justified its issuance. Keep both passport books secure, and update any Trusted Traveler Program account with the passport number you will use for travel.

Can minors get a second passport?

A minor can qualify for a second passport book under the same documented-need standard. The normal child-passport requirements, including parental awareness or consent as applicable, also apply.

Can I renew a second passport?

If you still need two valid passport books when the second book expires, apply again and submit a new signed statement and supporting documentation explaining the continuing need. Passport Services reviews the new request individually.

Can I replace a lost, damaged, or stolen second passport?

Report a lost or stolen passport immediately. A replacement requires a new application and documentation showing that you still qualify for a second passport book.

Official source: Apply for a Second Passport Book.