If you're reading this, you probably have a strong interest in travel. That means you likely have a passport or you're considering getting one or renewing it. But did you know that most Americans can actually have 2 passports? Before your next trip, take a look at the situations where you might qualify for a second passport and why it could be necessary. Let's get to it!
The surprising reason why Americans are getting second passports
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More US citizens than ever now have passports
The number of passport holders suggests that international travel has become more and more popular. Based on official data from the US Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs, over 160 million valid passports were in use in 2023. That total makes up around 46% of the American population, which is the highest percentage of passport holders the country has ever seen. This is a big jump from 1989, when the figure was a much lower 7.3 million.
What are passport cards?
Not all US passports are the same. When applying for a passport, you can choose between a card or a book. You can even have both at the same time. The passport card is much more affordable, costing only $30, compared to $130 for the passport book. However, the passport card cannot be used for international air travel. It's used to prove your identity and citizenship, so it's great for driving across borders to places like Canada or Mexico. You can also use the passport card for traveling by sea to the Caribbean and Bermuda.
Applying for an additional passport book
If you already have a US passport book, you may be able to get a second one in certain situations. However, this isn't guaranteed. As part of the application process, you'll need to provide a signed statement explaining why you need a second passport.
Even if you get a second passport book, it won't be valid for as long as your first one. The second passport will only be valid for a maximum of 4 years, instead of the usual 10 years for a standard adult passport. It'll also have the same personal information as your first passport – you can't get a second passport in a different name or gender. Finally, second passport cards (not books) cannot be issued.
Reasons you may need a second American passport
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The US State Department (DoS) only issues a second passport in limited circumstances. This may be the case if you're traveling to countries with political differences. For example, if your first passport already has an Israeli visa or entry/exit stamps from certain Middle Eastern countries, some other nations may deny you entry. To avoid this, you can obtain a second passport.
In addition, frequent travelers may need to submit their primary passport to a country's embassy for visa processing. This can be a lengthy process, as some consular departments take several weeks to review the application. During this time, the passport holder might need to travel to a different country. By having a second passport, they can do so until their first one is returned.
One possibility is that the passport holder needs to travel extensively and requires multiple visas from different countries. If there isn't enough time to obtain these visas before the first passport has to be sent away and returned, a second passport may be necessary. However, as visa applications can now often be done online, this is becoming less of a problem.
Another situation could be that the first passport is still valid and has a valid visa but it doesn't have enough blank pages to satisfy another country's entry requirements. Renewing the first passport would waste the existing visa, so applying for a second passport may be more cost-effective, especially if the holder has a work visa for a foreign country that still has a long time before it expires.
Dual citizenship
Another situation where you may legally have 2 passports but from different countries is if you hold dual nationality, which is allowed under US law. Individuals with dual nationality are required to abide by the laws and fulfill the obligations of both countries. However, it's important to note that when leaving and returning to the United States, you're legally obligated to use your US passport instead of the other country's passport.
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