Getting a second British Passport (my experience)
 

I received my second British passport (ie; simultaneously valid with my other one) through the post recently so I thought I'd share what to expect.

I rang up the passport office and asked what the procedure was, they told me that I could only get one for business purposes and needed a letter from my company explaining why I needed one. I asked if they were sure about this as I'd heard of people getting one for personal visits, he asked his boss who confirmed that I was right.
He then told me to send off a normal passport application filled out as if I was getting my first adult passport and to include a letter stating why I needed a second passport.
I did so, and assumed that I needed to include all the relevant supporting documents (birth certificates etc) though I was later told this was not necessary. (I had put my reason for needing a second passport as "Visiting incompatible countries" as apparently applying for multiple visas simultaneously is no longer an acceptable reason)

Unfortunately it was apparently insufficient and I was called by a rather nice lady at the passport office telling me I'd need to supply a complete itinerary of my travels and proof of travel.
I pointed out that the only proof of travel I could possibly supply (as my trip is from the UK to India) would be a ferry booking, and I was told this was sufficient!

I wrote up a letter explaining my plans (I had no idea when I'd be going through what countries so I made up some dates that fitted with the sizes of the countries and my ferry booking) which you can find here.
Application letter #2

After sending that letter off I was pleased to receive my second passport shortly afterwards.

So to get your second passport send off the following

1) Proof of travel (ferry booking ticket or something)
2) A standard "new passport" application form filled out as if it were your first passport (I still chose to include my current passport number in the "Other passports held" section of the form (no supporting documents necessary)
3) A letter stating your itinerary down to the dates of travel through each individual country (obviously including the incompatible countries in this list!)
4) Postal order (not applicable if you're using the post-office passport checking service which allows you to pay then and there by debit card)

Then you should get your second fully legal passport with no issues at all!

Good info - thanks for sharing this . I didn't even know it was possible to run two passports like this. :thumbup1:

I agree with Gecko, a good factual account of upto date information - just one question. What is the "real" reason/advantage to want a second passport?

Well OK, second question: does it cost the same as the first passport?

Cheers,

Two passports
 

I've been using two passport since 1994 and when one of them runs out I pay the normal fees to get it renewed.
The only problem I've ever had was when I renewed in Nairobi and a year or so later when I came to renew my other one in London they refused as my old Nairobi one wasn't cancelled by them and they thought I now had three passports.

It costs exactly the same to get a second one as the first (I chose to get a "diplomatic passport" ie; extra pages).
You can't renew second passports any more now according to the passport office, you have to prove you need them again.

My reason for getting a second passport? Primarily that I'm going to be messing around in europe for a while before heading on through SE asia, I can leave one passport here with all the Iran/Pakistan/Indian visa forms filled out and get my dad to send them off for me, then forward it on to me before I leave the EU. Saves dealing with foreign embassies in foreign countries :p.
And at some point in the future I intend to visit Israel, which will cause no end of problems :p

Thanks for that: it is about what I thought. The only "legitimate" reason that I know of is the Israel/Syria issue.

On the downside, you are paying twice the cost for passport services - on the upside, you always have an indate passport for travelling at short notice!

Now, 3 passports has to be the way ahead! :rolleyes2:
Dual nationality anyone?

I had no problems with getting a second passport, I was truthful with the lady on the phone and explained that I was planning a world trip and that I would need a second passport for hotels that demand they keep it until you have checked out, and for getting visas while away.

It's also a good way of getting around the countries that won't let you in if you have a certain other countries stamp in your passport, just hand over the spare, and play dumb.

also possible for US
 

I've got 2 US passports - all I had to do was say (true) that I travel frequently on short notice for work, and need the second because my passport is often stuck in some embassy waiting for a visa. An important thing to remember if you have 2 - make sure to always enter and leave a country using the *same passport*. Don't come in on one and then leave on another - numbers don't match and then they aren't sure you've left!

Has anyone had any problems with 2 passports when crossing borders?

When I exited from Congo DR to Angola, my Congo and Angolan visas were in separate passports. To get exit stamp from Congo I only presented one passport that had Congo visa (I imagined showing 2 passports will make things more difficult, so I first only presented one). After a while they told me there is a problem because I don't have Angolan visa in my passport. Only then I got out my second passport that had Angolan visa. The guys were very surprised I had 2 passports. They tought that it was some kind of scam. I needed to visit boss of the bosses a few times, he kept telling me "no"! After 2 hours the boss decided to solve the problem by stapling my 2 passports together so they form one unified passport that contains both Congo and Angolan visas. Problem solved (African way)! :rofl:

Using this approach, could I get a second passport so that the USA visa I have in my current one is not defaced by having the corner cut off ?

Hi Bruce,

Yes you probably could get a second one this way and thereby retain any valid visas in the first passport. A useful strategy if one passport is nearly full and want to keep it for use with a particular visa.

I've been running two passports since 2000 for business purposes - main reason fro this is that getting visas for certain countries may leave you "passportless" for a few weeks when you need to travel.

The only trouble I have had is going into the US - I had crossed out into Canada at Niagara and mistakenly showed the other passport on the way back in. I quickly rectified the problem by producing the first passport. Unfortunately the homeland security officer suddenly thought he was Sherlock Holmes and had just solved the nation's security problems once and for all. I was invited into the office where I was subjected to some pathetic questioning as to why I had two passports. Allegedly they had not heard of this before but I believe it is pretty common in the UK.

Matt

I'll probably have to send it off to get Russian visa, and although not full I want a new one before the new biometric ones come in (after?) 2010 as well

Waiting times...
 

Quick question - how long did it take to get your second passport issued?

I applied over 6 weeks ago now and am still waiting. Having called the passport office on a number of occasions they keep spouting the same line that they're performing 'checks', and that more than 6 weeks is not an unusually long time to wait. Be good to know if they're telling the truth or just fobbing me off.

Cheers and thanks for a useful post.

Wow, this is my kind of thread! Getting a second passport outside the UK is extremely easy. I lost mine in Costa Rica, and the embassy gave me a new one in a week. Same price. No questions, no hassles. I'm thinking perhaps this is the way to go for obtaining a second one.

I'm a dual national, and my US one is water damaged, and so haven't used it. Maybe I should get a new US one over here... Of course, the US is usually far more persnickety, and then I'm stuck with juggling passports, and I never could keep that straight!
Lorraine

I know it is possible to get a second US one though, Glenn Haggstadd (or however you spell his name) had one I'm sure of it.
So you could have 4 passports I suppose :p
But the downside of saying you lost yours to get a second one is that it's /technically/ illegal I believe, or at the very least invalidates the stolen passport I should imagine...

My own current experience....
 

Like the original poster I had heard that it was possible to obtain a second passport without it being necessary to have any business link.

The IPS have insisted that this is not the case, has never been the case and that I will not be issued a second passport, end of.

So, has the policy changed, or am I not being told the whole truth? If I need to obtain a second passport what is the best way of doing so?

Print out the applicable law and show it to them. Small town officials are often full of themselves and believe what they haven't seen doesn't exist. Stand your ground.

The situation is similar in Germany. I've had a second passport for more than a decade now. Makes traveling so much easier. First time I fell for the old "must be for work, need letter from employer" chestnut. Nowadays I just write my own. Saying that I will go to Israel and Arab countries or Iran and US is enough.

Interestingly, last time I got a new one I got a massive lecture that my second passport is illegal because it was valid for 10 years instead of 5 (as a second is supposed to be in Germany). I asked her to clarify whether she was accusing me of falsifying the passport or she was accusing one of her colleagues to have made a mistake. After that she changed her attitude completely and asked me if I wanted a third one now. So I got a third, valid for 10 years, just like the other two. Go figure! I made the point that my other passports had valid visas for other countries in them and they couldn't legally destroy these. Seems to have done the trick.

Yes, never ever let on to an US official that you have more than one passport. They just can't get their heads around that one, although it is perfectly legal in their country as well.

hi im looking for some up to date info please . in 2009 i wanted a second passport but was told not possible in any way so i had the corner cut off a good passport and had a new jumbo 1 issued . a few weeks later i found out that i had been given bad info . i will be needing another passport again as im not to shore if i have enough pages left . can sombody please tell me what the situation is now for a second UK passport.
thanks david

The Passport Saga
 

Hi David
I had heard that you could only get the second passport with an employer's letter to back you up saying it was for work that it was needed ie getting multiple visas whilst being out of the country. I faked my own work letter.

However Gabe (Overland Zen) at the HU Autumn meet said that he had not needed to say it was for work - he was very clear about this and I'm pretty sure he got his second one this year.
I know he and Char are currently on the road heading to Iran as we speak (lucky people:scooter:) so may not be able to reply for while - I'll forward this to them, although you may have an answer before they reply.

Good luck

It's like anything where there are a bunch of rules - the people enforcing them are mostly aware of the ones they have to apply regularly - i.e. needing a second passport for business purposes.

Needing two for countries that don't like each other is perfectly valid and it's not just Israel vs the rest of the middle east either. You could also use the Armenia/Azerbaijan problem - and I'm sure there are more out there!

I managed to get one from the Newport UK Passport Agency Office in 2007 - overlandcruiser.net then goto travel tips. The point about it needing to be to incompatible countries for business purposes is correct (and the need for a supporting letter, but you can sort this) and I also had to make some hotel bookings in each of the incompatible countries (Israel and Iran / other Arab countries) to show that I was truly going to them.

But be careful how you use the second passport. It can cause hassle of its own.

Our experience (easy) and covering letter (link included)
 

Hi Dave, glad to hear you'll be travelling again and needing more passport pages! On that nice new BMW I assume?

Here's the link to the letter we wrote when we applied for the second passport:
LINK HERE
www.GABE-RTW.co.uk

Though bear in mind this was back in Jan 2009 (before I left on the trip when I met Kito and Tiffany :-) so things may have changed?

best of luck,
Gabe

We got ours in under 2 weeks. We supplied a letter on headed paper from an "employer" even though we have both quit working. It was painless. You have to treat it as your first passport and supply all the required paperwork (birth certs etc) but it was very simple.

The below is a copy of my letter. I recived no other questions. Please don't just use it verbatim, alter it at least a bit otherwise everyone might suffer. If your too lazy to alter it then you don't need a second passport as you will never get through the first border.

<<<<<>>>>>

xxx is becoming a more frequent traveler and is in need of a second passport. I anticipate a significant ongoing need to travel over the next two years at least. Several countries that xxx will be travelling to require visas that have extended application processes and I therefore would request a second passport to expedite these while he is travelling. Some of these visas can take six weeks or more to obtain and xxx may be out of the country when these applications need to take place. xxxx may also be required to apply for visas at foreign Embassies whilst he is out of the UK as the trips will encompass multiple countries and will be some months in duration. xxx will also be travelling to the Middle East and certain country stamps once inside a passport cause additional issues in African countries. I expect xxxx to travel to these places this year.

I can confirm that xxx will return to the United Kingdom after these trips are complete. Please assist us obtaining a passport allowing for these journeys.



<<<<<>>>>>

Like the above posters I too have a second passport and found the process very easy.

I got my father to write a letter from his company saying I was a buyer and had to travel for business often needing a visa. I stated that my passport would often be at an embassy for a visa application when I needed to travel at the same time. This was not questioned and they didn't check to see that I actually worked for dad (which I don't!).

I didn't have to send in a birth cert etc as I had a current passport. You will need new photos etc.

I find it very useful as I have an American visa in one passport and keep that one 'clean' - non-controversial countries so that the delightful folks at Homeland Security have less reason to hassle me (which they do whenever I go to the States).

Also for the record - I have entered the States on both passports in the last year and they do not seem to have linked the two in their system... this allows me to keep juggling passports and stay for much longer than the allowed 3 months (visa waver in one passport) or 6 months (visa passport).

thanks for all the good info as always on HU . so you are putting me at ease that it is not to difficult to acheave but i am a self employed joiner .will a letter from me as the employer be ok .i dont have any company letter headed paper (yet) .

I'm gutted, just had my second passport application rejected and that was with a letter from my employer. What is going on? So much for freedom!

Spoke to a lady at the passpirts office and she said they need to know what countries my employer will be sending me to and exact dates, so may still be a chance. When I explained about requiring multi visa applications I was advised they need to be issued in the country of residence!! These people have really no clue, can't say that though as need to keep them sweet. The lady sounded totoally stressed. Wish me luck and best regards to all for crimbo. Tommy

As per my last post, make sure you tell them which incompatible countries and exactly when you plan to visit. Good luck

I got my second passport about a month ago. Once I'd winkled out what to do and got all of the documents together, including the passport details of my parents - who don't like me at the best of times and so needed some susbtantial charming - it was straightforward. Do exactly the same as you would for a first passport, fill in the form as neatly as possible, supply all the right docs, and don't draw attention to yourself by forgetting something or writing outside the boxes. I got an occassional employer to write a supporting letter, although I too mostly work for myself, which is perfectly OK. Good luck.

When I got my second UK passport, they required not just details of my planned visits to incompatible countries, but also proof in the form of non-refundable hotel bookings in each.

I am a self employed joiner .will it be ok for me to write my own letter ?? I dont realy want to ask others were i work to write the letter. the less they know the better

Kito,

If you're self employed that's just the same as being a freelancer with another name, so why not? There is no reason at all why you can't travel the world, supporting yourself as you do by earning money en route as a joiner, just the same as you could by being a brickie or chef or whatever. And moving from job to job ( even if you're not) makes it highly likely that you might well need to apply for visas for one country, while you're still in another, and to comply with local laws, you might well need to have your passport on you at all times - which you can't do if you've sent it off to an Embassy. So become a sole trader, create a letterhead, and apply for a second passport. If you're self employed, you'll have tax records etc anyway, which support your status, so you're part way there. But be warned - make sure your application is as good as it can be (eg spellcheck it, make sure it reads properly, fill in all the bits they ask you to etc)because once you're on the radar, there is no going back, and if they bin you, chances are, you'll stay binned.

I got mine last month

applied as if first passport, ie include birth certificate and signed photo, covering letter stating you are travelling to incompatible countries ie if you have USA stamps then Iran, Syria, Jordon and Iraq

worked for me without any proof of travel

Cheers
Geordie aka Will

umm, I haven't been to USA, might not go to Iran, and not going to Israel. Does anyone else know if incompatible countries?

Thanks

F

I got my second passport

I got finnished up in work the other week ( self employed sub contractor joiner ) so starting to get ready for the next trip now
I made up a letter on word saying that i was going on bussines looking at different types of timber and construction methods and that some of these trips will be at short notice .I also said that i will be going to some incompatible countrys in the future and that I would be applying for a 10 year american visa so i would like a 10 year jumbo passport
I posted off my application form with my passport on the monday ,on wednesday the fee was taken out of my bank and a week later a new passport turned up with my old one . I now have 2 ,10 year jumbo passports in use.
no body ever phoned or emailed me for other details or proof of travel

Likewise, we got ours without any bother. Applied/sent off on 19th Dec, issued on 23rd Dec :thumbup1:

We noted the incompatible countries that we are planning to travel to and gave an indication of when we were setting off and how long we expected to go away for. As we (Iain and I) are travelling together we wanted to make sure that we both got them so we crossed referenced our applications and passport numbers and added that we were travelling by sidecar, just to enforce that we both needed them. Also, sent both applications in the same envelope.

Debz

Good to know Debz, thank you. Will give it a go shortly.

:-)

Worked a treat.
Phoned passport office for advice - they couldn't have been more helpful.
Said all we needed to do was pick up basic passport application form from post office. Fill it in as if you are applying for a first passport. Send existing passport and 2 new pasport photos (one signed by a professional person on the back).
When you've got the forms, if you need more help call passport office and they'll talk you through filling it in.
send a covering letter regarding traveling to incompatible countries like USA / Iran and Israel / Sudan. They dont seem to be interested whether or not you're actually going there.
Also provide a simple letter from an 'employer' stating you are representing him and visiting incompatible countries. Make up a letterhead if you need to.
Finally, if you want it even faster, take it to Post Office for their 'Check & Send' service.
Got our 2nd passports back and our originals within 10 days.
Great stuff.

Here is the howto (optaining a 2nd passport) for german and swiss people:

Trans-Africa: Der ominöse Zweitpass für schweizer und deutsche Bürger..

Just for the case that the community search leads the people here....

Surfy

To continue this thread. I work at sea but do fill in jobs on many different ships. Had to get a new passport for my upcoming trip so wanted to get two in order to get the required visas whilst still at work.

For the first appointment I was given a normal passport but they wouldn't give me a second one as my supporting documents weren't enough (I didn't have an accompanying letter, only proof of the job I do.).

Had another appointment the other day with a letter from an employer, however was turned down as it wasn't an original, only a printed copy. I was also told that it would probably have been refused anyway as I hadn't worked for them for long enough and there were not enough countries listed on there (I only listed 2) that would cause problems. I was told though that being self employed either a letter on your own letter headed paper, or a letter on my accountants letter headed paper would work instead of an employer, as would a client of mine as well. I should have in addition to this listed 4-5 countries that cause problems in order to get the second passport.

I explained that it was for personal travel as my main passport is being held by the ships that I work on when on board and was told that the second passport can only be issued for business use.

Next appointment is in a week so we shall see how that goes. Will update with more information then.

My experience July 2018
 

I have just received my 2nd passport. This was the procedure I employed.

I read this thread and others multiple times.

I filled out the application form as if for a new passport (available from the post office) & enclosed photos and my original passport. £95 for a jumbo (extra pages) +£5 for secure return of supporting docs ( my original passport).

For supporting documents, I wrote a letter from my employee (self employed) to say that I had been given leave to travel in 2019 for my trip London-China. I mentioned that I will be travelling through incompatable countries (Iran,USA, Israel). I also have family in the US and the authorities can be intolerant to Iranian stamps in your passport. I also explained that whilst this was an essentially a tourist trip I would be representing my company should any business opportunities arise. I also included my proposed itinerary detailing the months and destinations where I will be riding. All truthful & no BS.

I received my 2nd passport after 2/3weeks. Hope that helps