Second Passports

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 therefore be considered an exception to the one passport policy and will be issued at the discretion of the Consular Officer.  If you cannot clearly demonstrate you qualify for a second passport, your application will be denied.  The application fee is non-refundable. If approved a 2nd passport can be made valid for up to four years.

Please note! Running out of pages in your current passport does not meet State Department requirements for you to be issued a second passport. If your current passport is still valid but there are insufficient pages left for travel, please renew your current passport as soon as possible. See Adult passport renewal in person, and Adult passport renewal by mail.

To apply for a second valid passport, you may use the following guidance to prepare:

Complete FORM DS-82 online, and print it out single-sided. Back to back printed forms cannot be processed. Do not print the instructions as you are to use this website instead.  At ‘Mailing Address’ list your Dutch address, even if it is only temporary.  You cannot currently list a “Country” when completing the “Emergency Contact” section on our forms. Please list an emergency contact in the United States.  You may sign the form at home.  Applications filled out by hand may require longer to process.

You must provide an answer to question no. 5, even if you do not have a Social Security Number or do not remember it.  Do NOT list your Dutch Burger Service Number (BSN). Click here to learn more about passports and the social security number requirement.

Present your most recently issued full validity (10-year) U.S. passport, with a photo copy of the biographical information page.  If you have been issued a previous 2nd passport, present that too.

One U.S. format: 2″ x 2″ (5 x 5 cm.) passport photo, taken within the last six months. We cannot process the smaller Dutch format photos!  Click here for guidance on the perfect U.S. passport photo.  Make sure to watch the video.

Bring a plain photocopy of:

  • your passport’s biographical information page, and
  • your previous second passport, if any, and
  • any supporting documents as applicable to your application.

Copies of the forms are not required.

A second passport is a rare exception to the One Passport Rule.  To support your application for a second passport, please present:

  • An original signed written request from your company or organization, preferably on letterhead paper, explaining in detail why a second valid passport would be required.
  • An Affidavit (PDF 153KB. Please download, print and prepare but do NOT sign), explaining in detail why your travel needs would warrant the issuance of a second passport. Do NOT sign the Affidavit as is to be signed in the presence of the Consular Officer, attesting to the use of the second passport.

The fee to be paid is an application fee, to be paid before you can make your case for a second passport.  It cannot be refunded if the consular officer cannot grant you a second passport.

Consular fees can be paid with any credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, or Diner’s Club).  U.S. debit cards are also accepted if they carry the VISA symbol.  Please note that the credit or debit card must be in the name of the applicant or the accompanying parent or legal guardian if the applicant is under the age of 18.

While a credit card payment is preferred consular fees can also be paid cash in Euros. We do NOT accept U.S. dollars, checks, or PIN cards.  Please bring exact change to the appointment.  For a current list of fees please see (https://nl.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/fees/).

Please keep your wallet on you when entering our waiting room.

Set up an appointment via the link below.  IMPORTANT: Print the appointment confirmation page or save it on your phone.  You will NOT receive a confirmation e-mail.

ARRIVE ON TIME
Try to arrive at the Consulate at least 15 minutes prior to your appointment time.  If you miss your slot we must ask you to reschedule.

Note that slots open up if we receive cancellations. Check back with our appointment system regularly if you wish for a earlier appointment slot.

Prepaid, self-addressed return envelope required
To receive your new passport in due time you must provide with your application a prepaid, self-addressed return envelope. The size should be approximately 23X16cm, or 9″X6″. NO larger envelopes, no padded envelopes, no DHL envelopes!  We can only send passports to an address in the Netherlands.
Postage – DHL label or stamps
We recommend using the trackable “waybill” from DHL express, or DHL parcel label.  These you must order online at: https://my.dhlexpress.nl/pwa/shipment/package/. When prompted, please select “Mailbox Parcel”, and enter your personal information as the recipient. Check the option “E-mail Notification”. When asked about the sender, enter your own name and the following mailing address: John Adams Park 1, 2244 BZ Wassenaar. Use your own e-mail address as sender and receiver so you receive all correspondence regarding your shipment.  Print your DHL label and glue or tape it on your return envelope. DHL labels that are only a barcode do NOT work.

Alternatively, you may use 5x regular “1” stamps from PostNL. Please note that by choosing this method you will not be able to track the shipment, nor are you able to retrieve the shipment should it get lost. The Consulate assumes no responsibility for lost mail.

Click here for a sample of a correctly prepared return envelope. Note you either use stamps, or a DHL label, not both.

If you have a valid second passport it will be canceled during your appointment as you cannot have two valid second passports.

When your second passport has been issued it will be valid for two years and may not be extended.  If there is a continuing need for a second passport beyond the two-year validity period, you must reapply for a new passport, following the above guidance as if it were a first application for a second passport.

As the bearer of a second valid passport, you should take the following precautions:

If your original or second passport is lost or stolen, report it immediately to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate (if overseas).

Make sure that the correct passport is presented at each border control point.

If possible, arrange an itinerary that will allow you to carry only one passport when traveling to a country with restrictive visa or entry policies. The passport not needed for immediate travel should be left in a secure place for safekeeping.  You should not assume that foreign immigration officials will not search your luggage or person.

Generally, do not display both passports at the same time when crossing a border control point.

Processing time
Passports are printed in the United States with a secure photo-digitized image of the bearer.  You should allow up to 6 to 8 weeks for the application to be processed.