I have heard of a lot of people getting two passports so if the locals get yours they don't have you by the...passport...and you can leave if you need to.

First of all, do I need to do this?

Is it possible to have two valid passports?

If I claimed that I lost my current passport and got a new copy would the old passport become invalid?

Thanks in advance.

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AtlasRider.com
Sport Touring Blog

Generally, the US government allows citizens to carry only one valid passport at a time. However, if you are a frequent international traveller, one passport may not be enough. If you can demonstrate a need for it, you can actually apply for a second valid passport
Applications for a second valid passport are considered on a case-by-case basis. The Department of State only issues them if you have a good reason for asking. The two most common reasons for requesting a second valid US passport are as follows:
1.You have visa stamps on your existing passport which prevent you from traveling to another country that you wish to visit. For example, some countries in the Middle East will not allow you to enter if you have an Israeli visa stamp on your passport.
2.You have sent your passport away to another country's embassy to apply for a visa, and you need to travel overseas before it will be returned to you.
To apply for a second passport, fill out passport renewal application form DS-82, and send it in along with your current passport, 2 passport photos and the appropriate fees. You must also include a signed letter stating why you need a duplicate passport. If the duplicate passport is required for a business trip, you should also submit a letter from your company or organization to confirm the details of the trip and why a duplicate passport is needed.
If issued, duplicate passports are valid for a period of two years only. If one passport is lost or stolen, you must report it to the government immediately, even though you will still have a passport to travel on.

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NJ, NR, NBTTN

1) Well you do not NEED to but a vary good idea.

2) Valid do not think so but good to get you past most problems.

3)Think that is the way of things but you still have the old one.

Some people make there own copys of the passport and use that others make fake ones that do the job. some like to scan in there passport and save it in some safe place online so if there passport is stolen a new one is much faster to get (at the embassy).

Good idea to do this will ALL paperwork, good color copies will save you in the long run.

@bigalsmith101

Thank you for your detailed reply! I don't think I will go this official route though based on what DLbiten said.

@DLbiten

Thanks! I think you're right. Having a backup woudl be nice, and if needed (although not technically valid) it would get the job done in most circumstances most likely.


Thanks everyone!

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AtlasRider.com
Sport Touring Blog

"sorry passport officer, I lost my passport*. can I have another please ?"

that's the standard 'getting a second official document' line, isn't it ?

* driving license, vehicle reg doc, etc, etc

Actually there's a little bit more they want when you're tell them you lost your passport:

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/79958.pdf?

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AtlasRider.com
Sport Touring Blog

yep, silly me. right now I am beating myself with a spiked flail for having such deviant thoughts of telling untruths.



EDIT: I was para-phrasing what I would do (does that break time-space ?). make stuff up. "my dog ate it", "yes I made every effort to recover it in the dogs poo, but couldn't", etc, etc