Can You Have Two U.S. Passports? Second Passport Eligibility, Validity, and How to Apply

Yes, a U.S. citizen can legally hold two valid U.S. passports at the same time. The State Department issues a second passport book to travelers whose itineraries make a single book impractical: consultants whose passport is at one consulate while they need to fly to another country, crew members, and anyone whose entry stamps could cause problems at a later border. The second book behaves like a regular passport with three exceptions — it is valid for only four years, it carries a different number, and you must justify the request in writing. Here is who qualifies, what it costs, and how to apply without slowing down the passport you already have.

Who is eligible for a second passport book

The State Department lists the qualifying situations on its second passport book page. You may be eligible if:

• A destination will deny you a visa or entry because of stamps from certain other countries — the classic example is Israeli stamps followed by travel to parts of the Middle East.
• You travel internationally often and must apply for multiple foreign visas on an ongoing basis, such as airline staff or employees of multinational companies.
• A foreign embassy or consulate is processing a visa in your passport and cannot return it before your next trip.
• You need a special validation for a restricted destination, more visa pages than remain in your book, or an endorsement change in an emergency.

You must already hold a valid U.S. passport book. The department only issues second books; there is no second passport card.

What makes a second passport different

• Four-year validity. Per the State Department, a second book is "valid for 4 years or less," not 10. You can reapply when it expires if you still meet the criteria.
• A different passport number. Airlines, ESTA-style travel authorizations, and Global Entry are all tied to a number. Decide in advance which book you will use for which trip and update your Trusted Traveler account accordingly.
• A special endorsement. The book is marked with an endorsement code that immigration officers recognize; it does not restrict where you can travel.
• Visas do not transfer. A visa lives in the book it was issued in. If you routinely need Chinese or Indian visas, plan which book will hold them.

How to apply

There are two routes, and the State Department decides which one you use based on whether you can hand over your current 10-year passport:

1. You can submit your valid passport: complete Form DS-82 (the renewal form), sign the State Department's statement explaining why you need a second book, and mail the package with the $130 book fee. Your original passport is returned with the new one.
2. You cannot submit it — usually because it is sitting at a foreign consulate: complete Form DS-11 and apply in person at an acceptance facility or agency with the signed statement, proof of citizenship, ID, a photo, and the $130 fee plus the $35 acceptance fee (travel.state.gov, fees).

Either way you can add the $60 expedite fee for 2–3 week processing, and either way a registered expediter can hand-carry the application to a passport agency when the trip is inside that window. Peninsula Visa's second passport service handles both routes.

Writing the statement

The department publishes a sample statement. It should identify which condition applies — restrictive entry policies, prolonged visa processing, or the need for multiple simultaneous visas — name the countries involved, acknowledge that the second book will be limited to four years, and be signed and dated. Two practical tips: attach evidence when you have it (a consulate receipt showing your passport is being held, a travel itinerary, an employer letter), and keep it to one page. Vague statements are the most common reason a second-passport request is returned for more information.

Common scenarios and which book to use

• Passport at the Chinese consulate, flight to India next week. Apply for the second book with DS-11 while the first is held. Put the Indian visa in the new book; see our India visa options guide for whether an e-Visa avoids the consulate entirely.
• Frequent Gulf and Israel travel. Dedicate one book to each region so the stamps never meet.
• Crew and corporate programs. Companies with rotating travelers can standardize the statement and paperwork; our business travel desk sets that up.

Keep both books valid

The six-month validity rule applies to whichever book you present at the border. Because the second book expires after four years, it will hit the six-month wall sooner than you expect; diarize a renewal check at the three-and-a-half-year mark. When the second book expires, the process to replace it is the same as the original application — there is no separate "renewal" of a second passport.

Frequently asked questions

Is it legal to have two U.S. passports?

Yes. The State Department issues second passport books specifically to travelers with a documented need. Both books are genuine U.S. passports; only the validity period and endorsement differ.

How long is a second U.S. passport valid?

Four years or less. When it expires you may reapply if you still meet one of the eligibility criteria.

Does a second passport cost more?

No. The government fee is the standard $130 book fee, plus $35 if you must apply in person with Form DS-11 and $60 if you want expedited processing.

Can I use my second passport for Global Entry?

Yes, but Global Entry and other Trusted Traveler programs are linked to a specific passport number. Add or update the passport in your account before you travel on it.

Can I apply for a second passport if my first one is expired?

No. Eligibility requires a currently valid U.S. passport book. Renew the first passport first, or, if time is short, apply for a new full-validity passport instead.

Sources and last reviewed

Last reviewed: September 4, 2026. Fees, validity periods, and processing times in this guide come from the official sources below and were current on that date. Always confirm against the issuing authority before you pay a government fee.

• U.S. Department of State — Apply for a second passport book
• U.S. Department of State — Sample statement for a second passport (PDF)
• U.S. Department of State — Passport fees

About Peninsula Visa

Peninsula Visa is a San Francisco-based immigration and travel documentation services company founded in 1975. With over five decades of experience, Peninsula Visa provides comprehensive visa processing, passport services, OCI applications, Global Entry assistance, apostille authentication, and more to individuals, families, and businesses across the United States. Peninsula Visa is known for its high approval rates, expert guidance, and end-to-end client support.

Government fees, validity periods, and processing times are set by the issuing authorities and change without notice. This guide is general information, not legal advice; confirm current requirements with the official source before you travel.