Second passports
The good, the bad, and the ugly of a second passport

In this day and age of financial restrictions, tax hikes, and “patriot acts”, it’s no wonder that an increased number of people want to send their money overseas.  That is why a second passport is highly recommended.  The choices abound: from expensive, legal methods, to underhanded, illegal ways, and then everything in between.

The Ugly Way (Aka Ilegally Acquired Passports)
Although security features are complicating matters, there is still a large market for illegal passports.  Illegal passports may be valuable in a pinch, but the overall danger and unreliability of these programs are just not worth it.  The plethora of legal programs has also made illegal programs less viable.  This is why you should seriously consider your options before selecting an illegal route.  Just in case you are curious about the “ugly way”, here are some possibilities:
One type of illegal passports is the stolen and altered passport.  This is route isn´t recommended because modern technology has made stolen and altered passports practically impossible.  For example, most border crossings have ultra-violet checks rendering stolen and altered passports, for the most part, null and void.
There is also the possibility of acquiring a stolen and unregistered passport from a passport office worker, diplomat or embassy employee that steals and issues passports himself.  This is more reliable that the stolen and altered passport and usually doesn´t pose a problem unless entering the issuing country.
Another illegal type is the registered passport.  The passport is registered by a corrupt government official.  However, now that most countries double-check all passport application, it is very likely that a corrupt official would be able to get away with registering a fake passport.
Ghosting passports is done by stealing someone else´s identity.  This method is made possible with the birth certificate of someone who is unlikely to apply for a passport, for instance, a mentally retarded person or a dead child.  Passport offices are checking birth and death records when processing applications making this now a difficult method for securing an illegal passport.

The Bad Way (Aka Not Completely Illegally Acquired Passports)
These possibilities for acquiring a second passport are still not exactly legal, but are much safer than the aforementioned illegal methods.  Favors from bureaucrats or national interests are the most guaranteed methods for getting a passport the “bad way”.
Bureaucrats in third world countries practically survive on favors.  The “I´ll scratch my bad, if you´ll scratch mine” philosophy is to your benefit if you´re aiming on securing a second passport.  If you´re willing to make a direct payment, then the politician has the right to make a discretionary decision in exchange for monetary compensation from the applicant.  The benefit for the applicant involves a legally issued passport.  The only possible adverse effect of this method being the review of the politician’s previously enacted favors.
If you can prove that it is in the national interest of a country to grant you citizenship, then you have another means to acquiring a second passport the “bad way”.  Find a way to convince the decision makers in a country that you can do something great for their country, and they will find a way to grant you instant citizenship.  It´s not a legal method per se, but if you succeed, you will be rewarded with a legal second passport.

The Good Way (Aka Legally Acquired Passports)
Economic citizenship programs are the fastest and easiest way to secure a legal passport.  There are now a few countries that have established economic citizenship programs for instant passport issuance.  These programs require a cash payment in exchange for a second passport.  It only takes a few days to a few weeks to have a fully functional second passport and, best of all, the transaction is completely legally.
Diplomatic passports can also be acquired legally.  Governments have the right to issue diplomatic passports if you can prove that is it is their best interest to grant you a position as an honorary diplomat.

So many choices, what is one to do?
Now that your head is spinning with money matters and moral dilemmas, the time for a choice has come.  If you´re in a financial fiasco, an illegal passport may be tempting, but be aware that it could cost you more in the long run.  A completely illegal passport gained through bureaucratic loopholes is generally safe and immediate.  Last of all, if you have the money and a bit of time, a legal passport is the most secure way.

United States Public Law 97-398 - December 31, 1982          
An Act

To amend title 18 of the United States Code
To provide penalties for certain
False identification related crimes

Be it enacted by the senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America congress assembled, that this act may be cited as the ‘’false identification crime Control Act of 1982.’’
Sec.2. Chapter 47 of title 18 of the United States code is amended by adding at the end the following:

Section 1028. Fraud and related activity in connection with Identification documents.
(a) Whoever, in a circumstance described in subsection (c) of this section
1.  Knowingly and without lawful authority produces an identification document or a false identification document;
2.  Knowingly transfers an identification document or false identification document knowing that such document was stolen or producer without lawful authority;
3.  Knowingly possesses whit intent to use unlawfully or transfer unlawfully five or more identification documents (other than those issued lawfully for the use of the possessor) or false identification documents,
4.  Knowingly possesses and identification document (other than one issued lawfully for the use of the possessor) or a false identification document, with the intent such document be used to defraud the united States; or
5.  Knowingly  produces, transfers, or possesses a document–making implement with the intent such document-making implement will be used in the production in the a false identification document or another document-making implement which will be so used;
6.  Knowingly possesses and identification document that is or appears to be and identification document that United States which is stolen or produced without lawful authority knowing that such authority, or attempts to do so, shall be punished as provided in subsection   (b)   of this section. 
(b) The punishment for an offense under sub section (a) of this section is
1.  a fine of not more than $25,000 or imprisonment for not more than five years, or both, if the offense is
A.  the production or transfer of identification document or false identification document that is or appears to be
i.  an identification document issued by or under the authority of the United States; or
ii. a birth certificate, or a driver’s license o personal identification card;
B.  the production or transfer of more Thant five identification documents or false identification documents; or
C.  an offense under paragraph (5) of such subsection;
2.  a fine of not more than $ 15,000 or imprisonment for not more than three years, or both, if the offense is
A.  any other production or transfer of an Identification document or false identification document; or
B.  an offense under paragraph (3) of such subsection; and
3   a fine of not more than $ 5,000 or imprisonment for not more than one year, or both, in any other case.
C.  the circumstance referred to in subsection (a) of this section is that
1.  The identification document or false identification document is or appears to be issued by or under the authority of the United States or the document-Marking implement is designed or suited for making such an identification document;
2.  The offense is an offense under subsection (a) (4) of this section; or
3.  The production, transfer, or possession prohibited by this section is in or affects interstate or foreign commerce, or the identification document, false identification document or document-marking implement is transported in the mail in the course of the production, transfer, of possession prohibited by this section.
D.  As used in this section
1.  the term ‘’identification document ‘’ means a document made or issued by or under the authority of the united states government, a state, and political subdivision of a state, a foreign government political subdivision of a foreign government, an international governmental or an international quasi-governmental organization which, when completed with information concerning a particular individual, is o f a type indented or commonly accepted for the purpose of identification of individuals;
2.  the term ‘’produce’’ include alter, authenticate, or assemble;
3.  the term ‘’document-marking implement ‘’ means any implement or impression specially designed or primarily used for making and identification document, a false identification document, or another document-making implement;
4.  the term ‘’personal identification card ‘’ means an identification document issued by a stated or local government solely for the purpose of identification; and
5.  the term ‘’state’’ includes any state of the united States, the District of Columbia, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and any other commonwealth, possession   or territory of the United States.
E.  This section does not prohibit any lawfully authorized investigative, protective, or intelligence activity of a law enforcement   agency of the United States, a state, or a political subdivision of a state, or any activity authorized under title V of the organized crime control act of 1970 (18 U.S.C.  note prec.  3481).

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