Second Valid Passports
Current regulations reflect the long-standing State Department policy that no person should be in possession of more than one valid, or potentially valid, U.S. passport at any one time unless specifically authorized by the Secretary of State.
The issuance of a second, concurrently valid passport should be considered an exception to regulations and is approved on a case-by-case basis. The second valid passport will be limited in validity for two years and cannot be extended. You may, however, add additional visa pages to a second valid passport.
The requirements for applying for a second valid passport are identical to the requirements for renewing a passport, with one exception. You also must submit with your application a signed, written statement giving the reason why the second passport is required and attesting that the loss of either of the two passports will be reported immediately to Passport Services, or if abroad, to the nearest U.S. Embassy, Consulate, or Consular Agency.
If you wish to apply for a second valid passport, please follow the standard instructions for renewing a passport and submit your signed, written statement with your other application materials. If you fail to include this statement, your application will be returned to you. If you are renewing a second valid passport that you already possess, you should include that passport with your application so that we may cancel it.