Americans have the ability to hold two passports: one from the United States and one from another country. According to the U.S. State Department, there are a few ways an American can obtain a passport from another country as well as from the U.S. For example, if a child is born in a foreign country to parents who are U.S. citizens, that child could be a citizen of both the U.S. and the country of his birth. This would allow him to have two passports. A person may also become a foreign citizen through marriage and obtain the ability to have two passports.
Acquiring a U.S. passport may require American citizens to make a personal appearance. Those who are applying for their first passport must do so in person at either an acceptance facility or a passport agency. Anyone under the age of 16 must apply for a passport in person. Anyone who has had his passport stolen, lost or damaged must apply for a new one in person. Anyone with an expired passport that was issued more than 15 years ago must also apply for a new one in person. Official passport application forms can be located online.
Those Americans who apply for a passport from a country outside of the U.S. will not be required to give up their American citizenship. Under the guidelines of United States law, only those who voluntarily apply for foreign citizenship will lose their American citizenship. However, simply having two passports does not mean you have voluntarily given up your American citizenship. Americans with two passports must use their American passport to either enter or leave the United States. Those who do wish to give up their American citizenship may do so at a United States embassy.
Americans who have two passports may benefit from the second passport when they are abroad. For example, having a second passport from another country may allow some businessmen to invest or bank in a country that would not allow an American citizen to do so. The New York Times also has reported that having two passports will be beneficial for those looking to work abroad, especially in countries that have had issues or soured relations with the U.S. However, those applying for two passports should be aware of the risks involved. According to Christopher Davis, chief executive of G3 Visas and Passports located in Washington D.C., duel passports can lead to increased taxation and possible military service in the foreign country.
