Two passports?

Fern · #1 (**permalink**) August 26th, 2011, 08:35 PM

Is there any reason a person can't get two passports? I think I've heard of it being done for those who travel to Israel so they can still travel to other countries without an Israeli stamp in their passport book

.

Would you just have to apply again, like the first time (including the fees)? Or would you have to say that your passport was lost or stolen and have it replaced?

Like others, I'm a little leery of carrying my passport off the ship, but if I had a "backup" I'd feel much better!

Thanks,

Mike M · #2 (**permalink**) August 26th, 2011, 09:01 PM

Certain people can have two passports. If you are a diplomat you can have a regular and diplomatic passport.

The general rule is that someone cannot posess two U.S. passports at the same time. There are exceptions but for the regular traveler they do not apply. I don't think us "cruisers" would qualify. BTW: If a second passport is issued it is only good for two years.

Here is the State Department link that explains things as clearly as the government can.

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/94669.pdf

Take care,
Mike

johnthed0g · #3 (**permalink**) August 27th, 2011, 05:52 AM

I think I heard the visitors to Israel get a stamp on a separate paper? We always take our passports with us, that's the point, if you get stranded you can get home.

sweetlissa · #4 (**permalink**) August 27th, 2011, 08:24 AM

My husband has 2 but he got his 2nd won specifically for Israel. He travels to the middle east and some countries are really picky about that. He also travels for work though so that may be the difference. Also his company used a passport company, I would at least contact one to see what they have to say.

sweetlissa · #5 (**permalink**) August 27th, 2011, 08:25 AM

won=one, so sorry! just not meant to be up this early

Marc · #6 (**permalink**) August 27th, 2011, 03:09 PM

First, you can have two passports; not just a tourist and official. When we lived in Belgium, we needed to leave our passports two weeks at Russian Embassy for visas. As we were traveling to Poland in the interim, I was able to request additional passports for the two of us. They cost $85 each and are good for only two years so I don't recommend unless necessary.

As for travelling using both; it is probably a good way to end up in jail especially when USA joins the rest of the world in recording departures.

For Israel, if you want, they will stamp on separate paper. I don't worry about Israeli stamps in my passport as I have no plans (currently) to go to countries where it has an impact. BTW, you can go back and forth to Jordan overland with no issues.

TruckerD · #7 (**permalink**) August 28th, 2011, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fern

Like others, I'm a little leery of carrying my passport off the ship, but if I had a "backup" I'd feel much better!

Thanks,

I just make a good color photo copy of mine and bring it with me. (I got stopped at a police check point in Colombia a few years ago and just showed them that, as I left the original in the hotel safe, as was sent on my way no prob). Plus I will scan my passport and email it to myself. That way if all else fails and I have to I can just go to an embassy and have them log on and get my email and there is a copy of my passport on the cloud.