In short, a U.S. citizen can have more than one valid U.S. passport at the same time. There is no legal limit on the number of U.S. passports a U.S. citizen can have. However, there are some caveats and practical considerations to keep in mind.
The Rules on Multiple U.S. Passports
The U.S. Department of State does not have any laws or regulations prohibiting U.S. citizens from having more than one valid passport at the same time. This means you can apply for and receive multiple passports if you choose to do so.
That said, the State Department does recommend maintaining only one valid passport at a time for convenience. The main reason is that if you lose a passport or have one stolen while traveling abroad, it can complicate matters if you report more than one passport missing.
The State Department’s official guidance says: “Unless rescinded by the Department of State, all valid passports issued to you remain the property of the United States. It is recommended that you maintain possession of no more than two valid passports at any one time.”
When You May Need More Than One Passport
There are some circumstances when it can be advantageous for a U.S. citizen to have two valid passports, such as:
- If you have a passport application pending and need to travel urgently on your other passport
- When visiting certain countries that deny entry or visas if you have traveled to other specific countries
- To circumvent restrictions on consecutive passport pages for visas or stamps
- If you applied for a new passport while overseas and still have your old passport
Some frequent international travelers choose to have a regular passport for general use, and a second official passport reserved for special circumstances like the ones above.
Applying for a Second Passport
To apply for an additional U.S. passport when you already have a valid passport, you must:
- Submit form DS-82 by mail (can’t use the online application)
- Submit your most recent U.S. passport with the application
- Pay applicable fees
- Provide a statement explaining why you need more than one passport
Routine passport processing takes 6-8 weeks from the time you apply until you receive the new passport. You can request expedited service for an additional $60 fee to get it within 2-3 weeks.
Using Multiple Passports for International Travel
When entering and leaving the United States, you are required to use a valid U.S. passport. It is illegal to attempt to enter or leave the U.S. without a valid passport, even if you have another valid passport from a different country.
For travel to other countries, the general rule is that you should use the same passport each time you enter or exit that country. For example, if you entered Country A on Passport 1, you should exit Country A on Passport 1.
However, this isn’t a firm legal requirement and some frequent travelers do use different passports at entry and exit in some countries that issue visa stamps.
Renewing an Additional Passport
Passports are valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors under age 16. You can renew an expiring additional passport by submitting form DS-82 just like when applying for a new extra passport.
Keep in mind that renewing a passport does not extend the expiration date past 10 years from original issue. If your passport from 2015 expires in 2025, renewing it in 2023 will only give it validity until 2025.
Lost or Stolen Passport While Abroad
If you have multiple valid passports and report one lost or stolen, the consular officers can invalidate the missing passport in case it is used for identity fraud or other crimes.
However, this situation does complicate matters and can interfere with your ability to return home. The State Department says it “strongly urges citizens to limit the number of valid passports in their possession to one at a time.”
Cost of Getting an Extra Passport
To obtain an additional passport while your other passport is still valid, you must pay the renewal application fee. This is $130 for passport book and card, or $30 for passport card only. Expedited service is an additional $60.
So in total, getting a second passport book before your other one expires will cost $190 for routine service or $250 for expedited service.
Child Passports and Extra Passports
The rules and process to get a second valid U.S. passport are the same for minor children under 16. However, children’s passports have a shorter 5 year validity period.
If both parents consent, a child can hold two valid U.S. passports. This allows one parent to travel abroad with the child on one passport, while the other parent holds the second passport. Some divorced parents prefer this arrangement.
The application and renewal fees for children’s passports are lower. It costs $100 total for routine service and $170 for expedited service to obtain a second U.S. passport book for a child.
Dual Citizenship and Second Passports
U.S. citizens who also hold citizenship in another country can potentially have passports from multiple countries. For example, a dual U.S.-Canadian citizen can legally hold both a U.S. and Canadian passport.
However, dual nationals should be aware that certain countries prohibit or discourage use of a non-national passport for entry. It’s important to understand the applicable laws when traveling on multiple passports as a dual citizen.
Bottom Line
To summarize the key points:
- U.S. citizens can legally have more than one valid American passport
- There is no limit, but 2 passports is recommended maximum
- Apply with form DS-82 and current passport to get extra passport
- Cost is $130 routine or $190 expedited for passport book
- Usually best to enter and exit a country on the same passport
So while there is no restriction against having multiple passports, travelers should understand the logistics and costs involved before getting more than one. For most people, having two at the maximum is advisable for convenience and security.