| Notes from the Consulate |
By Elizabeth Williams
Effective April 8, 2002, American citizens residing or traveling abroad who require 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 continue to accept and approve passport applications, but the actual passports will be produced in the United States. U.S. consular officials in Mexico anticipate that the new passports will be delivered approximately two weeks after the application is submitted.
While the Embassy encourages all citizens traveling abroad to have a valid passport, Americans living and traveling in Mexico are reminded that one is not required for return to the United States. To board an aircraft or make the land crossing, Americans need to present a valid photo I.D. and proof of citizenship. Proof of citizenship could be an expired U.S. passport, a U.S. birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad or a naturalization certificate.
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 passport facilities in the U.S. or U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad.
Elizabeth Williams is the U.S. Consular Agent for Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo. Her office is located at Plaza Ambiente, Local #9, Ixtapa, Gro 40880 Mexico, across the street from the Radisson Hotel, next to Budget Rent A Car, in Ixtapa. Office hours are 10am-2pm M-F. Office Tel. 553 2100, Fax: 553 1108 or 554 6276, Cell: 044 755 557 1106. If you are a long term resident and haven’t registered with the Consulate to get on the ex-pat mailing list, go by the office or contact lizwilliams@diplomats.com.
March 2002
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