Original question:

This question was posed by Michael Yard who is a member of the Practitioners' Network. To view his profile, please click the "Members of the Practitioners' Network" link on the left hand side of this page.

Summary of responses:

Posted on 3 May, 2007

A number of countries allow their citizens to hold multiple passports, though the specific provisions differ from case to case. Some allow;

• One private passport and one diplomatic passport; others
• Multiple private passports

In addition to requiring proof of entitlement of a diplomatic passport, some countries require proof of the need for multiple private passports, for example from an employer.

The reasons stated for these provisions are common for most countries and can be categorized in two groups:

1. To simplify travels logistically – ensuring that one passport can be used to apply for a visa even when the person is travelling, or ensuring a seamless transition from one passport which is about to run out to a new one.
2. To overcome travel restrictions – allowing a traveller to use a passport without a visa from a country the destination country is in conflict with.

When it comes to elections however, this question needs to be discussed together with the question of whether or not the passport is used to safeguard against multiple voting. If the passport is stamped as proof of a vote cast, it is of course problematic if voters are allowed to hold more than one passport. In those cases other provisions need to be in place to ensure that voters only vote once, such as finger ink or only allowing voters to vote in one particular polling station.

Replies were received, with thanks, from:

• Carl Dundas
• Staffan Darnolf
• Debashis Sen
• Francisco Cobos Flores
• Ben Goldsmith
• Thomas Dackweiler

Links to related resources:

• Determination of Eligibility to Vote
• Voter's Proof of Identification
• The Voter Identification Card: Advantages and Disadvantages
• Elections and Technology - Voter Identification

Quote from the ACE Encyclopaedia on voters' proof of identification:

“In countries where residents normally carry personal identification, such as a birth certificate, passport, civil identity card or driver’s licence, simply producing that identification is often sufficient. If residents normally do not carry personal identification – particularly in less developed countries – a sworn statement may be needed to establish someone’s identity, or another citizen may even have to vouch for that person.”

Individual responses in full below:

Some jurisdictions do allow multiple passports to be issued, but each belongs to a different type or category, for example, Jamaica allows the holder of a private passport to be issued with an official passport. In certain circumstances, a person may be issued with a diplomatic passport for particular assignments. 

Carl W. Dundas

Sweden allows even private citizens to hold two passports if that would simplify your travels. One rationale is the problem with holding a stamp from one country who is at war, or loggerheads, with the one you are about to travel too. Another reason is convenience - you might be working internationally and be in one country and would need a visa for a new assignment. By holding a second passport you can FedEx your "spare" passport back to Stockholm and secure a visa for your upcoming trip. Obviously, only a small number of Swedes avail themselves of this possibility and you need to have authorization from, I believe, Sida or Ministry of Foreign Affairs to qualify.

Only if you are entitled to get an "official" or "diplomatic" passport is one issued a second official/diplomatic passport for official travels in India. But the original personal passport will then have to be surrendered; this is returned as soon as the official visit is over. However, since the recipient is always a senior officer of the government, the personal passport is often kept in his/her own custody, although he/she cannot use it since he has the diplomatic/official passport.

Debashis Sen

In some European countries it is possible to have two private passports to overcome travel restrictions. This is the case if you have a visa from one country and want to travel to another which does not allow visitors with this visa to enter the country. This applies especially for Israel and some Arab countries.  

Hi Mike,

I was surprised to find recently that the UK allows people to have 2 valid passports. As has been mentioned above this can be necessary to facilitate travel while other visas are being applied for (which often requires a passport to be sent to the relevant embassy). In my case I had to obtain a new passport as I was about to run out of pages in my current one. I expected that my old passport might be kept, but it contained valid visas so i needed to keep it too.