Applies to: US citizens meeting State Department conditions; not a replacement for a lost passport.
Before you start
- Your valid current passport and the required application form.
- Photo and fee under the current official instructions.
- A truthful statement and evidence supporting the need for a second book.
The steps
Check the eligibility reasons
The State Department lists situations such as a passport held for visa processing while required travel cannot wait. Convenience alone does not guarantee approval.
Choose the correct form and route
Follow the current official instructions for your circumstances. Applicants abroad should check the US embassy/consulate process rather than copying domestic mailing steps.
Write the explanation in your own facts
Identify the passport-holding authority, expected conflict and actual trip dates. Attach supporting evidence where requested; do not invent an employment or urgent-travel reason.
Submit the complete request
Include the required identity, photo, statement and payment documents. Keep proof of submission.
Manage two passport numbers carefully
The second book has its own number and limited validity, generally four years or less. Match bookings and visa use to the correct document.
Important details
Immigration consistency
Keep Spanish visa, residence and travel records coherent when different passport numbers are involved. Ask the relevant authority if its records need updating.
No reset
A second passport does not restart Schengen days or create an additional right to reside.
See the bigger picture
Pair these practical steps with the Spain-wide essentials.
Sources & next steps
Reviewed 30 September 2026. This independent guide provides general information. Requirements, fees and office arrangements can change; the responsible authority’s current instructions control your application. Commercial service links explain products, not official rules.