Second U.S. passport book: who can get one and how to apply

Who can get a second passport book

With a valid passport book, you may get a second book if, for example, a destination would deny entry because of stamps in your passport, you travel often and need several foreign visas, or an embassy keeps your passport while processing a visa. The second book is valid for 4 years or less, and only books (not cards) are issued as second passports.³

These reasons are examples. The State Department decides each request. If your reason is different, check the official source before you apply.

Mail or in person

You sign a statement explaining why you need the second book: with your 10-year passport you follow the renewal steps; if you cannot send it, you apply in person.⁴

The renewal steps work only if your current passport meets every condition for mail renewal:

If every point is true, you use Form DS-82 and mail it with your current passport and your statement. Print Form DS-82 single-sided, sign and date it, staple one photo with four staples in the corners, include your most recent passport and the fee, and mail it with the U.S. Postal Service. No $35 acceptance fee applies to DS-82.⁶

If your passport is not with you (for example, an embassy is holding it for a visa), or it fails any point above, you apply in person with Form DS-11 at an acceptance facility. Find one with the official search: iafdb.travel.state.gov⁷.

Do not sign Form DS-11 until the acceptance agent asks you to; the agent gives you an oath and watches you sign.⁹

Step by step

Checklist

Before you apply for a second book

Print checklist

• Your current passport book is valid
• Your reason fits the official rule
• Signed statement explaining why you need a second book
• Form DS-82 (by mail) or Form DS-11 (in person), filled in
• One passport photo that meets the official rules
• Your current passport in the envelope, if you apply by mail
• Check or money order payable to "U.S. Department of State"
• Separate payment of the acceptance fee, if you apply in person

Do and don't

Do

• Say clearly in your statement which trips or visas make the second book necessary.
• If you apply by mail, plan your trips around the weeks your current passport is away.
• Keep a copy of everything you send or hand in.

Don't

• Don't ask for a passport card as your second passport: only books are issued.
• Don't use online renewal for this. After you submit an online renewal, the passport you are renewing is cancelled and can no longer be used for international travel; you keep it.¹⁰
• Don't pay a website that says it will renew online for you. The State Department warns that websites or companies claiming to renew your passport online for you may be fraudulent, even with "Gov" in their name; official sites end in .gov.¹¹

Fees

These are government fees, separate from any Passmere fee. The application fee goes to the U.S. Department of State; the acceptance fee goes to the facility.

By mail or at an acceptance facility, pay the application fee with a check or money order payable to "U.S. Department of State", with the applicant's name and date of birth in the memo. The acceptance fee is paid separately to the facility. Online renewals are paid by credit or debit card.¹⁵ The application fee and the acceptance fee are not refunded, even if no passport is issued. Only the $60 expedite fee can be refunded when expedited service was not delivered on time.¹⁶

How long it takes

• Routine processing: 4–6 weeks¹⁷.
• Expedited processing: 2–3 weeks¹⁸.
• Mailing can add up to 2 weeks¹⁹ each way.
• Documents you sent, such as your current passport, come back up to 4 weeks²⁰ after the new book.

Need the second book for a trip that is coming up soon? Read Urgent travel: how to get a U.S. passport fast.

Frequently asked questions