Applying for and receiving a duplicate passport can be a time-consuming and difficult process. The majority of countries’ general protocol dictates that no one person should have more than one valid passport. Only in exceptional circumstances and on an individual basis is a second passport considered.
It is a general requirement to apply for a duplicate passport if the applicant already has a valid passport. It is a regulation in the United States that an individual should not have more than one valid passport unless it has been officially authorized and is being reviewed by the Department of State. Due to these regulations, a duplicate passport is frequently issued for a limited period of time; secondary passports are usually not extendable.
The rules for applying for a duplicate passport vary depending on the issuing country. As a result, it is critical that the applicant researches the specific requirements of his or her home country. The application process for a replacement passport, in the event that the original is lost or damaged, is far less involved than that for a second passport.
The United States, as an example of the lengthy application process, requires the submission of several documents to the issuing office. The completed form DS-82 for passport applications, as well as the person applying for the duplicate’s current valid passport, are among these documents. An official request in writing from the applicant’s employer, detailing why a duplicate passport is required, is also required.
The application must also include the application fee, two passport photographs, and a statement signed by the applicant confirming that the secondary passport will be returned to a United States consulate once it has expired or the need for it has passed. Other documents, such as travel tickets and hotel reservation information showing departure or arrival within 14 days of application, are required. The successful submission of these documents does not guarantee the issuance of a duplicate passport.
The most common reason for obtaining a duplicate passport is for frequent or extensive travel to countries where previous entry visas may prevent the passport holder from being admitted. Traveling through Middle Eastern countries while carrying an Israeli entry or exit stamp is an example of this. While many Middle Eastern countries now allow people with Israeli stamps in their passports to enter, it has been reported that access issues still exist.