Quick question about adding extra pages to a US passport... is there a special request required for the pages to be seamlessly sewn into the passport instead of being pasted to the end? Are all existing pages preserved in the process? How many extra pages are added at a time?

I got mine done in Manila 2 years ago. (it is free when you are out of the country) Dropped it off in the morning, picked it up in the afternoon.
Mine is the older style, issued in 2002.
The original had numbered pages up to 24.
They added pages in the middle, lettered B thru X, between pages 12 and 13. It was stiched and taped. The A page is covered with an official looking notice stating the pages were added at the embassy, and it is embossed with a seal.
All my old pages stayed the same. I will be adding more pages before it expires in 2012.

I have been told that for the new style RFID passports you cannot add pages, but when you have it issued, you can request more pages than normal.

I too have the old sytle passport, is there some type of a limit as to how many pages you can get addeed? I still have many years left but not too many pages.

I think you can have pages added 3 times, after that, time for a new one.

this is good to know, thanks. I actually have a lifetime visa to India pasted on one of the pages which I would not want to lose... and of course all my existing visas/stamps for sentimental value, can't afford to lose them I know there is a small risk whenever they are manipulating the passport.

I got mine ammended last year. The new pages are a different style and color from the original ones, and they are not sewn into the book, but inserted with a cellophane adhedsive (read taped). I sent mine into a processing center (registered mail), and got it back in 1 week. I was told that you could only ammend the passport with extra pages twice before having to get a new one.

The message for this is very inconsistent. I've been told different things by different consular officers. The last time I had them added (at the US embassy in Zagreb), they said that this was the last set of pages I could have as it was my third. I have heard other FTers recount getting five and six sets of extra pages.

Regarding the insert: they are not sewn into the book. Rather, they are attached with a very strong cellophane tape. I would be astounded if there were another way to get them in, as I believe they only come in that single format.

Mine is most definitely stitched/sewn in, and taped. It was done at the embassy in Manila.

Mine is definitely stitched too, with new pages added between pages 12-13 of the old-style passport. No tape used at all. I mailed mine in for additional pages; my husband obtained his in person through the passport office in LA, and his are stitched too.

Like Ajax, mine were put in with cellophane tape. Had it done in the embassy in Brussels 2 years, took about an hour. ^

That's inconsistent as well. My RFID passport had pages added last year in Santo Domingo.

Extra Pages

If your passport's visa pages are becoming full, but your passport is still valid and in good condition, you may apply by mail or courier for additional pages to be added to your passport. Only one set of extra pages (24 pages are in each set) can be added to your passport at a time, but if needed, and if your passport remains in good condition, you may have up to three sets of extra pages inserted into your passport. Once this limit is reached, you will need to apply for passport renewal. Please note that extra pages cannot be added to an emergency passport.
Application Requirements

Please submit the following by Royal Mail Special Delivery or via the Embassy's appointed courier service:

* Your valid ten- or five-year passport;


* Passport form DS-4085: Application for Additional Visa Pages. Please ignore page one of the printed instruction pages, as it does not apply when applying for extra pages in the United Kingdom. Follow the instructions on this page. If you experience trouble with the Passport Application Wizard, click here for Form DS-4085 [PDF]. For tips on completing the DS-4085 [PDF], follow this link;


* Fees: no fee is charged for this service.

Even the first part of that isn't all that consistent. The US Embassy in London put three sets of pages in at once since I had managed to fill my passport in just 4 months since new.

I had pages added while in SYD this spring.

I called from downstairs, was told to come right up, and was out the door in less than 30 minutes. No appointment.

The new pages were sewn in the center of my passport.

Well, we sent our two passports in for extra pages three days ago by express mail and this morning my wife tells me she must visit her mother in China in two weeks! This was totally unplanned. I'm wondering if anyone can tell me what the turnaround time is to get the new pages in and sent back. We sent the passports to the Philadelphia center. Obviously, we don't want to buy any tickets or make plans until we have the passports back. A Google search didn't turn up much good information other than, as others have said here, have it done in a foreign embassy if you want it done fast. Thnaks for any information.