www.CostaRicaTicas.com

OK we just had a thread on driver's license renwal,and now I need info on getting US passport renewal. I know I can do it here in CR at the U.S. consulate. I know that some of the procedures have changed.My questions are 1.What do I need to bring with me? ( passport, photos etc) 2. Do I neeed an appointment? 3. Is it a pain in the ass like everything else here? 4. Is there an easy way to do it such as someone waiting in lines for you?

The US Govt link is:
http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/re ... w_833.html

They say

"Residents abroad should renew their passports at nearest U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate. "

The CR website says

http://usembassy.or.cr/uspassport.html (excerpt below)

It doesnt have online forms etc. So you can do the waiting game here or use one of the expedited visa stetside

U.S. Citizen Passport Processing

All American citizens residing or traveling abroad who require issuance of a U.S. passport will be issued the latest, state-of-the-art passport incorporating a photo-digitized image and other enhanced security features.

U.S. Embassies and Consulates will achieve this goal by transferring the passport issuance function to a domestic U.S. passport facility. This will increase processing time at some U.S. Embassies and Consulates, but the Department of State is committed to ensuring that American citizens receive secure documents in a timely manner. American citizens are encouraged to apply early for renewal of expiring passports.

U.S. Embassies and Consulates will continue to issue passports in emergency cases. Such passports will be limited in validity, and cannot be extended. Bearers will be required to exchange their limited validity passports for a full-validity photo-digitized passport upon completion of their emergency travel, either through a passport facility in the U.S. or the U.S. Embassies or Consulates abroad.

As of April 8, 2002, overseas posts are no longer authorized to issue full-validity passports. Please be advised that all non-emergency passport applications must be sent by the Embassy to the National Passport Center for printing, and may take up to two weeks to be returned to the U.S. Embassy, San Jose, for retrieval by the applicant.


Additional information regarding the new application procedure will be provided as soon as it becomes available.

Vegas Bob wrote



You do not need an appointment. There is always a long line at the entrance to the consulate but that line is Ticos applying for a visa. Just walk up to front of the line show the guard your passport and you will be allowed in the building immediately.

On the left side of the room is U.S. citizen service windows. Take a number and sit down. The length of time it will take for your number to be called is dependent on how many people are waiting but I have never spent more than 15 minutes before being helped.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Somehow I knew Ding Dong would have the answers I was looking for. How about what I should bring. If I bring my passport and photos can I get it done in one visit?

It will require 2 visits.

The first one to fill out the application and pay the fee. The second one to pick up your new passport.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

DD do I need passport photos or do they do them at the Embassy?

I have never had my passport renewed there so really do not know the answer. The Embassy web site outlining procedures for Ticos to get a visa makes note that there is a photographer on site to take visa application pictures so I assume he also does passport photos.

Also around any government agency office, where you will be required to submit photos, there usually are a few places nearby that provide that service.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

VB,

Suggest you avoid Monday and Tuesday as those are the days that everyone who had their passport stolen over the previous weekend arrive back in SJO.

We arrived on a Monday morning at 10:00am and were number 77 in line.
90% of the citizens ahead of us were there to get stolen passports replaced. They do it while you wait and take your photo on site. It took about two hours and when they handed over the new passport said, "careful, it's still hot from the laminator."

I'm guessing they replace a couple hundred a week so they're pretty effecient.

Rocco

Rocco, I think the procedure has changed and the Consulate can now only issue "emergency" replacement passports on the spot.

Regular renewals have to be processed in the States so you must make 2 trips to the Consulate. This from the US Embassy in CR website:



VB, Was driving past the Embassy today and there is a shop that has a sigh "Foto Para Visa" 50 meters east of the Embassy/Consulate. So if you have trouble getting a picture at the Consulate there is a shop near by as I suspected there would be.

Good Luck

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

You're correct Ding Dong.

My experience was for a stolen/emergency issue passport.

Sorry if I confused the avid readers viewing this from the edge of their seat.

Rocco

DD and Rocco....Thanks for your input