CONSULAR WARDEN MESSAGE

Subject: Increases to U.S. Passport Fees and New Parental Signature Requirements for U.S. Minors

On February 1, 2008, the U.S. Government will increase its fees for certain U.S. citizen passport services.  For adult applicants renewing a passport, the total fee will increase to $75.  For first-time applicants age 16 and over, the total fee will increase to $100.  The fee for minors under 16 years of age will be $85.

Effective February 1, 2008, passport applicants who are U.S. citizen minors under the age of 16 must appear personally with their parents to establish identity, proof of citizenship and proof of relationship.   For parental application permission, both parents must appear together and sign, or one parent may appear to sign and submit the other parent’s notarized statement, or one parent may appear, sign, and submit primary evidence of sole authority.  Minors age 16 and 17 may apply in person with their own identification, but for security reasons, parental consent may be required.  If your child does not have identification of their own, a parent will be required to accompany the child and present identification.

Please refer to the Department of State’s website at www.travel.state.gov for complete information on all new requirements, including downloadable revised forms that must be used as of February 1, and the U.S. Consulate General’s website at http://monterrey.usconsulate.gov, for complete U.S. passport application instructions.

Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the U.S. Consulate General’s website http://monterrey.usconsulate.gov and the U.S. Department of State's travel website at www.travel.state.gov , where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts can be found.  The U.S. Consulate General also encourages U.S. citizens to review to "A Safe Trip Abroad," found at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1747.html , which includes valuable security information for those both living and traveling abroad.  In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada, or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

Citizens living and residing in Mexico are advised to register their presence in the country through the U.S. Department of State's automated online registration system, https://travelregistration.state.gov.  U.S. citizens may also contact the Consular Section via e-mail at monterreyacs@state.gov or by calling 81-8345-2120. This complete message is available on the Consulate’s website at http://monterrey.usconsulate.gov. 

Passports
General Information

The American Citizens Services (ACS) unit of the Consulate accepts applications for U.S. passports and provides additional passport pages.  All passport applicants must apply in person between 8:00 am and 10:30 am, Monday through Friday, except U.S. and Mexican holidays and the first business day of each month.  Beginning January 22, 2008, all applicants will be required to have a scheduled appointment made either through the Internet or by telephone. 

In most cases, all original documents submitted by the applicant in support of their application will be returned to the at the conclusion of their interview.  Previous passports will generally be cancelled and returned to the applicant.  New passports will be delivered via a messenger service for a nominal cost in approximately three weeks to an address within Mexico as indicated on the application.  The use of the delivery service is required for most passport cases.

Demand for passport services through the Consulate has increased dramatically in the last year with the implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI).  To ensure prompt service we recommend that passport applicants come to the consulate with their passport application forms completed and the required documents in hand.

Passport Appointments

Effective January 22, 2008, the U.S. Consulate General in Monterrey will require scheduled appointments for all passport services.

Applicants wishing to apply for a U.S. passport may request appointments through our Internet appointment system or by calling the American Citizen Services unit at (81) 8345-2120 between the hours of 2:00 P.M. and 4:00 P.M., Monday through Friday, excluding U.S. and Mexican holidays and the first business day of the month.  Please note that Internet and telephone appointments are only available for U.S. citizens residing in the states of Coahuila, Durango, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí and Zacatecas.  You must schedule one person per appointment, regardless of the age.

Individuals needing emergency passport services should call the American Citizen Services unit at (81) 8345-2120 and our staff will assist with scheduling an appointment.
When using the online appointment system, applicants seeking to apply for a first-time or renewal passport should choose the selection “Passport services other than adding pages.”

NOTE: Please be advised that there is no fee or charge to make an appointment other than your regular internet fees.

Passport fees

Routine Services (Form DS-11)
Age 16 and older: The total fee is $100 USD.
Under Age 16: The total fee is $85 USD.

Adult Renewals (Form DS-82) - The total fee is $75. See below to find out if you are eligible to apply for a renewal of your passport.

Methods of payment: All fees are payable in cash (U.S. dollars or Mexican pesos) or with most credit cards.

Passport photos: Two identical U.S. passport size photographs are required at the time of application.  They must be 2 x 2 inches (5 x 5 centimeters) and in color. They should be taken in normal street attire.  The photos must have been taken within the last six months.

Passport forms: Passport forms are available at the Consulate or online at http://travel.state.gov/passport/forms/forms_847.html.

Passport validity: In most cases, regular passports issued to individuals 16 years of age and older will be valid for 10 years from the date of issuance.  Passports issued to minors under the age of 16 will typically be valid for 5 years from the date of issuance.

Additional information is available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html or you can contact the ACS unit in Monterrey by e-mail at MonterreyACS@state.gov, by telephone at (81) 8345-2120 or by fax at (81) 8342-5433.

The information below details the basic passport application requirements for most situations.  However, please note that in certain cases consular staff may request that you provide additional documents or information. 

First Time Passport Applicants

To obtain a U.S. passport for the first time, the following documents are required:

• A completed application for passport, Form DS-11;
• Original U.S. birth certificate, Citizenship Certificate, U.S. Naturalization Certificate, or Consular Report of Birth Abroad:  State birth certificates should be the “long form” versions of the documents.  Abstracts, short forms or mutilated certificates cannot be accepted;
• Government Issued ID with photo and signature.
  

The fees for this service are $100 for applicants 16 and older and $85 for applicants under 16.

In addition, some or all of the following forms may be requested:

• Prenatal Documents: including medical records and ultrasounds.
• Documents from hospital where the applicant was born (wrist bands, crib card, discharge orders).
• Photos of Pregnancy and From Hospital: Photos taken of mother during pregnancy and in the hospital before and after the birth.
• Proof of parents’ presence in the United States around time of birth of the applicant: job documents, earning statements, phone bills, tax returns, parents marriage certificate, family photos in the U.S., personal letters, birth certificates of siblings born in the United States, parents’ drivers licenses or State ID cards, census letter.
• Photos of the applicant from birth to present.
• Notarized written consent translated in English: If both parents are not present for the appointment, it is necessary to bring the notarized written consent (in English) of parent not present for minor child’s passport application (child under 14 years of age), along with a copy of absent parent’s identification showing photo & signature.
• Sole Custody: Proof that the parent executing the application has sole custody of child may also be accepted.(i.e. birth certificate listing the mother as the only named parent, court order granting sole legal custody to parent, death certificate of deceased parent).
• School records: transcripts, report cards, diplomas from elementary, high school, and university, school yearbooks, or class photos, current or expired ID’s.
• Mexican Birth Certificate, if you have dual citizenship.
  

By federal law, applicants must provide a Social Security number if they have one.

Passport Renewals for Adults

You may apply for a renewal of your passport if you:

• Already have a passport that is not damaged; and
• Received it within the past 15 years; and
• Were at least age 16 when it was issued; and
• Still have the same name noted in the passport (or you can legally document your name change).

To apply for a renewal of your passport, the following documents are required:

• A completed application for passport renewal, Form DS-82;
• Your previous passport that meets the renewal requirements previously listed;
• A government Issued ID with photo and signature;
• Two 2 x 2 inch (5 x 5 cm) passport photos.

The fee for this service is $75.

By federal law, applicants must provide a Social Security number if they have one.

Passport Applications for Children Under 14 Years of Age (Including Renewals)

Both parents are required to appear at the time of the application for children under age 14.  If one of the parents is unable to be present at the time of application, then a recent notarized statement of consent of the non-present parent must be submitted at the time of the passport application.

To apply for a passport for children under 14 years of age, the following documents are required:

• A completed application for passport, Form DS-11;
• The applicant's original birth certificate that shows the parent(s') name(s), even if a passport was previously issued to the minor;
• Proof of child's U.S. citizenship such as an original or certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Naturalization certificate;
• Current photo identification of both parents;
• The child’s previously issued passport (if applicable).

The fee for this service is $85.

By federal law, applicants must provide a Social Security number if they have one.

Statement of Consent – As mandated by Congress, when applying for a passport for a child under age 14, if one of the parents cannot be present, one parent appears, signs, and submits the second parent's notarized Form DS-3053 (Statement of Consent: Issuance of a Passport to a Minor Under Age 14) authorizing passport issuance for the child.  Alternatively, a notarized, written statement of consent in English from the non-appearing parent (including the child's name and date of birth, as well as parent's identification information or a copy of his/her ID) authorizing passport issuance for the child may be submitted on behalf of the non-appearing parent.  The notarized statement must be recent.  A copy of a government-issued photo ID of the non-appearing parent is also required.

Amendments

Valid passports can no longer be amended.  Instead, customers requesting name changes, extension of validity for limited passports, or correction of a printing error must apply for replacement passports.

If the change is within one year after issuance, a U.S. Passport Re-Application Form (DS 5504) must be submitted with the passport that needs the change, the documentation required, and new passport pictures. There will be no charge for routine processing.

If the change is more than one year after issuance, customers will need to submit an Application for Passport by Mail (DS-82), together with the passport that needs the change, the documentation required, and new pictures.  The cost of $67 includes the $55 application fee and $12 security surcharge. Of course, if the requested data change is due to a printing error by Passport Services, there will be no charge.

Extra Visa Pages

Those only needing to add visa pages to their passports should submit an Application for Additional Visa Pages (DS-4085).  There is no fee for this service.

Passport Holds for Individuals with Delinquent Child Support Payments

Section 51.70 (a) (8) of Title 22 of the Code of Federal Regulations states, in part, that if you are certified to Passport Services by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to be in arrears of child support payments in excess of $2,500, you are ineligible to receive a U.S. passport.  If this applies to you, it is strongly recommended that you contact the appropriate state child support enforcement agency to make payment arrangements before applying for a passport. This is because:

• The state agency must certify to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that acceptable payment arrangements have been made.
  
• Then, HHS must notify Passport Service through the removal of your name from the electronic list of individuals who are delinquent in payment of child support.  A passport cannot be issued until your name has been deleted by HHS.
  

Please note that it can take 2-3 weeks from the time you make payment arrangements with the State agency until your name is removed from HHS' electronic list.  Passport Services has no information concerning individuals' child support obligations and has no authority to take action until HHS removes your name from its list.

Please direct any questions to the appropriate State child support enforcement agency.  You may go to the Department of Health and Human Services - State Child Support Enforcement Web Site for a listing of HHS state and local agencies.

Lost or Stolen Passports

In the event that your passport is lost in a public place or stolen, you must report the loss or theft to local authorities and obtain a police report.  You will need to present the police report with your application for a replacement passport.   
Obtaining a replacement passport is a two-step process.  First, you must report the loss or theft of your valid passport immediately to the nearest U.S. Passport Office or U.S. Embassy or Consulate using form DS-64 "Statement Regarding a Lost or Stolen Passport."
The second step is to apply for a replacement passport.

In the event that your passport is lost or stolen while in Mexico please come in person to the American Citizens Services unit of the Consulate.  Depending on your personal circumstances, we will process your application for a new full-validity or emergency (limited-validity) passport.  Application requirements, including fees, for emergency passports are the same as those for full-validity passports.

You will need proof of citizenship and a photo ID, such as a driver's license or school ID.

The cost of the passport is $100 for adults and $ 85 for minors under age 16.

The American Citizens Services unit will only issue emergency passports that are needed for urgent travel.  In most cases, same-day issuance is possible for emergency passports.  However, some cases require approval from the Department of State prior to issuance.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Citizenship determination is among the most complex services provided by the Consulate, and it is impossible to detail all potential cases in the space available.  The above is summarized information only to make applicants aware of the general nature of the documentary proof required.

If you have any questions or concerns, we recommend that you contact the American Citizen Services (ACS) unit at (81) 8345-2120 from 14:00 - 16:00 Monday through Friday for more specific information or by e-mail at MonterreyACS@state.gov.

Updated: February 8, 2008