Overview
- The Department of State, which clarified guidance Sunday, July 19, 2026, confirmed eligible U.S. citizens can obtain a second passport booklet that carries its own number and has a maximum validity of four years or less.
- The second booklet is issued for narrow operational reasons such as incompatible visas or stamps, frequent work travel that requires a second document, the need for extra visa endorsements, or when the primary passport is held at a foreign embassy or consulate for visa processing.
- Application rules depend on your situation: holders of a 10-year passport can apply by mail using Form DS-82, while applicants whose primary passport is being held for visa work must apply in person with Form DS-11 at an acceptance facility.
- Fees match standard passport-book charges in 2026: US$130 for mail renewals and US$165 total for in-person applications (US$130 plus a US$35 acceptance fee); applying for the passport book and passport card together saves US$35 because only one DOS filing fee is charged.
- Practical notes for travelers: the passport card cannot be used for international air travel and is limited to land or sea crossings with Canada, Mexico and some Caribbean destinations; routine processing takes several weeks, expedited options exist, and the second booklet’s special annotation and shorter term can still ease travel for airline staff and visa applicants while requiring careful planning.