There are a few journey hacks that make feel—like using the Mobile Passport app to breeze through any customs line or to reserve a flight on a Tuesday when airfare might be most inexpensive—but what about obtaining a 2d U.S. Passport?
This week, Million Mile Secrets dove into the technique of acquiring a second passport; if you’re a common visitor or in a time-crunch, you might advantage from having some other form of identification even as headed distant places.
Still, you’re likely satisfactory with a single passport, and there’s an excellent threat you aren’t even eligible to get a second one. Here’s what you want to understand approximately getting another passport and the sporadic activities in which you might need one.
You will possibly need a second passport if you’re ready on a tourist visa
To obtain a second passport, you ought to be eligible to apply for one in all three motives, as Million Mile Secrets writes:
Suppose you’ve got a stamp from a country with a purpose to deny you entrance to some other. For example, Middle Eastern nations, including Lebanon, will deny access if an Israeli stamp or visa is determined in your passport.
If common worldwide travel makes it tough to ship away your passport for a visa because you want it to go to every other USA.
If your process calls for you to travel continuously, which includes a pilot or reporter.
In other words, second passports are usually reserved for those who actually need them. In the example of journey visas, you would possibly need to send your original passport to a nearby embassy, and that is the reason why having a second passport may additionally become necessary, mainly with a coming near the ride.
If your motive for making use of it doesn’t fall beneath any of these occasions, alas, you may reap any other passport (that means you couldn’t absolutely practice for a spare one due to the fact you’re afraid you would possibly lose your authentic).
If you do qualify, you’ll provide evidence of your eligibility via having a declaration and any other helping documents (like a tour itinerary) prepared while making use of for a second passport.
You have to recognize that there are some limits to the second passport, too. For instance, it’s most effective valid for two years and might be renewed. Also, make sure to apply for the equal passport whilst getting into a rustic as you are while exiting, or you would possibly run into troubles at the airport.
You’ll have to offer proof of citizenship and pay additional fees
Even if you qualify, you should recognize the State Department doesn’t make the method clean and examines every request (and feasible denial) on a case-via-case foundation.
You can apply by using mail and send all bureaucracy to the National Passport Processing Center. However, you may additionally make an appointment at the closest U.S. Passport Agency close to you to apply in-individual. (Do an internet look for a local agency to be sure.)
If you’re nonetheless involved, here are the stairs you’ll take, as written through Afar:
Complete the Passport Application Form DS-eighty two by using mail or online. To complete this form—the same one used for the passport renewal procedure—you must already have a valid and undamaged 10-yr passport.
Provide evidence of U.S. Citizenship plus a newly taken passport photo. If you may need your number one passport throughout the application method, you could submit a certified copy of your birth certificates or nation-issued ID card. The fashionable U.S. Passport image length is 2 x 2 inches, and all pics should be revealed on photograph-high-quality paper, in line with State Department guidelines.
Submit a “Second Passport Request Letter” addressed to the U.S. Department of State. This letter needs to describe and justify the specific reason that the applicant wishes for a replica passport (evidence of travel plans, inclusive of a flight itinerary, ought to be noted). The applicant ought to signal the request letter and include an announcement noting that any loss or robbery of both the primary or secondary passport may be straight away mentioned to Passport Services or the nearest U.S. Embassy, consulate, or consular employer.
You’ll additionally pay an additional charge of $110 within the shape of a check to the State Department.
There also are online services with a purpose to do a number of the legwork and expedite the system for your behalf, although they’ll fee you a steep price. You also can pay to have your 2d passport expedited to you without delay; make certain to specify this in your utility and pay the additional fee.