Passports

Consular Affairs Press Guidance
November 19, 2007

Passports:  Updated Rules

On November 19, the Department published in the Federal Register new rules updating existing passport regulations to conform to current practices.
These new regulations go into effect on February 1, 2008.
The new rules reflect several improvements in how the Department will process passports for Americans:

• To help address the issue of abducted and runaway children, the new regulations extend the two-parent consent and personal appearance requirements to minors under the age of 16, up from age 14.
• The new rules add state or local felony arrest warrants to federal felony warrants as a basis for denial, revocation, and restriction of passports.
• The new rules codify the definitions, responsibilities, and qualifications of passport agents and passport acceptance agents, including the requirement that passport agents be U.S. citizens.
• The rules clarify what documentation is required of an applicant whose name has changed and to reflect more accurately Department practice in this regard. 

... and while we're on the subject of passports

As soon as the summer of 2008, Americans crossing land and sea borders with Mexico and Canada will need to present a passport or other approved document in order to enter the U.S.

Now is the best time to apply for your U.S. passport since demand is traditionally lower during this time of year.

More information on applying for a passport is available at http://travel.state.gov/.

Background: Rules published at 72 Federal Register 64930
(November 19, 2007) and to be codified at 22 CFR Part 51.

Passport Services in Lisbon

The U.S. Embassy in Lisbon provides services to American Citizens needing a new passport, a renewal of a current passport, pages added to an existing passport, names changes in a passport, or a replacement of a lost or stolen passport.
Except in emergencies, U.S. passports are produced at facilities in the United States.

Applying for passports is easier now with our new online system! Citizens can complete their applications online, print a copy and bring it to the American Citizen Services Unit for faster processing. The new  Passport Application Wizard provides step-by-step instructions for completing the appropriate form, estimating payment and printing.

After you’ve completed your passport application online by choosing the appropriate links below, be sure to check below for the additional information/documentation that you’ll be required to bring with your application. Also, be sure to make an appointment through our Appointments Page.

We accept payment in the form of cash, credit card or Portuguese postal money order.

For current information about our consular fees, please click here.  

It generally takes about two weeks from the time you apply at our Unit to the time you receive your passport. We are happy to send your passport to you by mail in Portugal, however, you need to provide a pre-paid CORREIO REGISTADO envelope (red one), size A5 for 100gr, addressed to you. These can be purchased at any Post Office or CTT kiosk. Please see picture below: