Can you have 2 valid US Passport's??

[vortex]

My passport is due to expire in the next few months.
I started the process to get a new one and thought that it might be a good idea to have two; what if your only one is lost/stolen, sent away for Visa, submitted for renewal...how do you prove your citizenship without it?

There are lots of reasons to have two....is this even possible? Does anyone out there carry two, what steps did you have to take to get the second one?

Thanks

 

[Redtailer]

Short answer is no.

The moment you receive the new one, the old one will be null and void. I do not recommend using it after that because you could find yourself in some deep doggie doo doo.

Check the internet for the regs on how you are supposed to transfer, but you may even have to turn the old one in.

If you lose it, and I have, it's not too difficult to get it replaced. Although I must admit my experience was pre-9/11. It only took about a week or so and my company took care of me if I needed it for a trip. There are some other caveats with it such as the new passport only being good for a year at which point you renew it (at no cost) and it becomes your permanent from that point with your original expiration date.

 

[Roadie]

I have a second passport held by a third party in the event that I need a visa on short notice. Check out G3:

http://www.g3visa.com/

 

[Hornetkid]

No Way

You dont want to have 2 nor will you be allowed (in most cases) to have 2.

For obvious reasons 2 passports would allow you to do some shifty things internationally.

Send your old one in and they will issue a new one and send the old one back with a few holes poked in it....in case you need to prove you had one later, if you lost the active one.

Hope that didnt confuse you, I think it did me.

 

[throttlejockey]

The answer is no but sometimes yes:

1) I agree with the other posters regarding double issuance, they will not do it.

2) However, under certain circumstances, they will issue you a "special" passport of limited duration for travel to certain countries. For example, I requested and was granted a second passport which was limited to six (6) months duration, for the purpose of travel to Syria and Saudi Arabia. Reason: I had previously traveled extensively to and from Israel.

At that time, it was well known that Syria and Saudi Arabia were not granting visas, or allowing travel into/out of their countries to those who currently held or had recently held Israeli Visas. I had to make a written special request for the issuance of a "clean" passport. The folks at the State Department went out of their way to handle my problem on very short order (less than 4 days!).

throttlejockey

btw - please sign up for email alerts at: Friends of Meigs Website stay informed on the latest info regarding the fight to defend our nations airports.

 

[banned username 2]

I used to have 2 passports, my "Primary" was issued for 10 years and my "Secondary" was valid for 2 years. My "Secondary" has since expired and I elected to not renew it as we are now getting annual multi-entry China VISAs and most other countries we don't have trouble getting visas for...

Hope this helps...

 

[Roadie]

Re: No Way

You dont want to have 2 nor will you be allowed (in most cases) to have 2.

For obvious reasons 2 passports would allow you to do some shifty things internationally.

Send your old one in and they will issue a new one and send the old one back with a few holes poked in it....in case you need to prove you had one later, if you lost the active one.

Hope that didnt confuse you, I think it did me.

Way.

I'm not confused, and I actually do have two legal passports. My company requires it. We use G3 Passports and Visas to handle the details.

 

[vixin]

Yes one can have a 2nd as long as a third party ie: your company holds it. You can not hold 2 in your possesion. Flex will pay for us to get a 2nd and they will hold it. Just in case we lose ours.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

Absolutely YES you can have 2 passports.

Most guys who fly frequent Intl NEED 2 to keep Visas straight. While one is out getting the proper stamps, you still have one.
We use one for frequent travel and the other for frequent visit (multiple entry) visas such as Brazil, China, Russia.

I beleive they are dont through G3 VISAS out of Chicago. Might cost a few hundred bucks but I think they can do a 2nd in a few days....

 

[CatYaaak]

Yes

Yes, you can get 2 valid passports although your 2nd will be valid for 2 years instead of 10. There's nothing "sneaky" or illegal about it. Having 2 is quite common among international flight crews who have to send one away to obtain visas for upcoming trips (and in the meantime not be hindered for flight ops while it's out of their possession) or avoiding political-based problems that may arise traveling in some areas.

Normally, you have to present justification for possessing 2 passports during the application process for the 2nd, and in the end it has to be approved by the Passport Office, so it could be denied. Search through any passport/visa processing company website (with gov cutbacks, using one of these private companies to handle the chore is preferable) and you'll find the requirements listed somwhere.