Traveling often for work? You can actually have two valid US passports at once, frequent travelers can apply for a second passport.
What is a Second Passport?
Second valid passports are limited-validity US passports that are issued to qualified applicants. They are valid for four years instead of ten.
Your second valid passport won’t be a copy of your primary (ten years) passport. It will have a different passport number and a different photograph.
How Can You Qualify for a Second Passport?
To apply for a second passport, you’ll need to be in one of the following travel situations:
- You need to apply for a visa for a future trip, but you need your passport for other international travel.
- You have an entry stamp in your passport from a country that is in conflict with another country that you plan to visit, and the second country won’t allow you to enter if your passport has those markings from those specific countries.
Benefits of a Second Passport
The acquisition of a second passport not only facilitates uninterrupted travel during visa processing but also presents additional advantages for frequent travelers.
- Extra pages: In light of the current policy restricting the addition of pages to valid passports, the availability of blank passport pages holds considerable significance for frequent travelers. Owning two passports affords the traveler a distinct advantage by doubling the number of blank pages at their disposal.
- Protection against passport loss or theft: Beyond the convenience of continuous travel, possessing a second valid passport serves as a strategic safeguard in the event of passport loss or theft. In such unfortunate circumstances, the remaining valid passport assumes a pivotal role in emergency travel, concurrently serving as essential documentation for the expeditious replacement of the lost passport. It stands as a tangible proof of identity and citizenship, streamlining the recovery process.
Can You Renew a Second Valid Passport?
Renewing your second passport is just like getting one for the first time! You will still need to prove that you have an upcoming travel situation that requires you to hold two valid passports.
If you are a frequent traveler who uses your second valid passport all the time, we recommend you renew it when it gets close to having only six months of validity remaining.
What Documents Are Needed for Second Passport Renewals?
Here are some of the key items you’ll need to submit:
-
- Passport Form DS-82
- Your primary (10 year) passport
- Your current second valid passport
- One passport-style photograph
- Proof of upcoming travel for which you need two passports
Learn more about the requirements for a second passport.
What to Do About a Lost Second Passport
Step 1
The very first thing you should do if you have lost your second passport is to make sure that your passport truly is lost. It is not uncommon for passports to be misplaced within one’s residence.
If the second valid passport was lost during travel, communication efforts should be initiated by contacting all of the places you know that you had your second passport. This could include the hotels, airports, and transportation services utilized (such as cab companies or Uber drivers).
Once a report of a lost or stolen passport is lodged with the US State Department, the passport in question is canceled. Even if the second valid passport is later found, you will have to move forward with the replacement process.
Step 2
Replacing a lost second passport is very much like the procedure to replace a lost primary passport. You will need to complete the application form for a new passport, DS-11. On that application, you will be asked about your most recent passport. You’ll need to include the details of your lost or stolen second valid passport. You’ll also explain the circumstances in which it was lost.
You will need to appear at a Passport Acceptance Facility to have your identity and citizenship verified. Your primary passport can act as your proof of US citizenship.
Step 3
Applicants will need to submit documentation explaining why they need a second valid passport. This may entail the submission of a letter accompanied by flight itineraries, showing that you need to get a visa for an upcoming trip, but that you have other international travel in the meantime.
Simplify the Passport Application Process
We understand that the passport application process can be complex. G3 Global Services has experts across the country who are available to review and submit your requests, letting you focus on travel plans. Get started on your second passport application today!