Applying for a Second U.S. Passport
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APPLYING FOR A SECOND U.S. PASSPORT
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Current regulations reflect the long-standing policy of the Department of State that no person should be in possession of more than one valid, or potentially valid, U.S. passport at any time unless specifically authorized by the Department of State.
The issuance of a second valid passport should be considered an exception to the regulations, and is to be approved on an individual basis only where justified. The second valid passport may not be limited geographically, i.e. for travel in only a few countries. It will, however, be limited in time, valid for a period of two years. Thereafter, a new second valid passport must be applied for; second valid passports are no longer extendable.
To apply for a second valid passport, the applicant will need to submit the following documents:
- Completed passport application form DS-82 or DS-11, as appropriate;
- First-time applicant for a second valid passport: Copy of bearer's current normal validity U.S. passport (10 year passport)
- Renewal of second valid passport: Bearer's current second valid passport and copy of normal validity U.S. passport.
- A signed written statement giving the reason(s) 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.
- One colored photograph, 5 x 5 cm (2 x 2 inches), head size from chin to top of head minimum 25 mm (1 inch), maximum 35 mm (1 3/8 inch), on a white, plain background, not including any white frame, taken within the last 6 months, printed on normal photographic paper, full face (no hat, sunglasses, bandana etc.).
- Passport fee: $110.00/CHF 99.00(DS-82) or $135.00/ CHF 121.50(DS-11 adult) or $105.00/CHF 94.50 (DS-11 minor under 16). The Swiss franc amount is calculated by the Embassy based on an average exchange rate, not the daily rate used by banks and post offices.
The way to pay in Swiss francs is with the white postal money order (Postanweisung für das Inland/Mandat de poste interne/Vaglia postale interno) to the following address: American Consular Services, Sulgeneckstrasse 19, 3007 Bern. NOTE: Do not pay into the Visa (MRV) postal account No. 30-39699-5! Payments made to this account CANNOT BE REFUNDED. The Embassy may not accept payment in any form of check.
- The Embassy does not accept cash in any currency sent by mail and takes no responsibility for money sent in an envelope. Any cash the Embassy receives by mail will be returned. Swiss Francs will be returned with a postal money order, minus the post office fee.
- A self-addressed envelope with CHF 5.00 postage for registered mail; CHF 1.00 postage for A-mail.
Please mail your application to the following address:
American Embassy
ACS/Passport Section
P.O. Box
3001 Bern
If you have a tight travel schedule and cannot be without your passport, you may come in person to the Embassy in Bern (9 a.m. - 11.30 a.m.) or the Consular Agency in Zurich (appointment only). After viewing your original passport, the Consul or Consular Agent will return it to you. All requirements listed above apply, except the fee can be paid in cash in either currency at the Embassy in Bern; at the Consular Agency in Zurich only Swiss francs are accepted. No personal checks are accepted. At the Embassy in Bern, traveler's checks in US dollars and major credit cards are accepted with a valid passport for identification.