Press releases
To All American Citizens in the UAE:
Please note the following changes to U.S. passport regulations, effective February 01, 2008. These changes involve a) passport applications for minor children under the age of 16, and b) passport application fees.
Revision of Passport Regulations –
On November 19, 2007 a revision of 22 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 51 regarding passports was published in final in the Federal Register with an effective date of February 1, 2008.
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. Previous U.S. passports are not acceptable as proof of minor's relationship to the parent(s)/guardian(s) (but should be submitted with the application per 22 CFR 51.8).
Establishing Parental Relationship –
You will need to submit one of the following to establish the parental relationship/guardianship:
-- Certified U.S. Birth Certificate (With Parents' Names); or
-- Certified Foreign Birth Certificate (With Parents' Names and Translation, If Necessary); or
-- Report Of Birth Abroad (Form Fs-240) (With Parents' Names); or
-- Certification of Birth Abroad (Form Ds-1350) (With Parents' Names); or
-- Adoption Decree (With Adopting Parents' Names); or
-- Court Order Establishing Custody; or
-- Court Order Establishing Guardianship.
If the parent(s)'/guardian's name(s) is/are other than that on these documents, evidence of legal name change is required.
Establishing Parental Identity –
Each parent or guardian must submit one of the following:
-- Valid Drivers License; or
-- Valid Official U.S. Military ID; or
-- Valid U.S. Government ID; or
-- Valid U.S. Or Foreign Passport with recognizable photo; or
-- Naturalization/Citizenship Certificate from USCIS with recognizable photo; or
-- Alien Resident Card from USCIS.
Parental Appearance with Minor Child --
(a) Both parents must appear together with the child, or
(b) One parent may appear and sign if that parent submits the second parent's notarized statement of consent authorizing passport issuance for the child. The form of the consent may be either a notarized DS-3053 "Statement Of Consent: Issuance Of A Passport To A Minor" (currently being revised to reflect that the requirement pertains to
minors under the age of 16) or a notarized written statement with the same information on a sheet of paper from the non-appearing parent, or
(c) one parent may appear and sign if that parent also submits primary evidence of sole authority to apply, such as one of the following: child's certified U.S. or foreign birth certificate (with translation, if necessary) listing only applying parent; or consular report of birth abroad (form FS-240) or certification of birth abroad (form DS-1350) listing only applying parent; or a court order granting sole custody to the applying parent (unless child's travel or passport application is restricted by that order); or an adoption decree (if applying parent is
the sole adopting parent); or a court order specifically permitting applying parent's or guardian's travel with the child or passport application; or a judicial declaration of incompetence of non-applying parent; or a death certificate of the non-applying parent.
If none of the above documentation is available, the applying parent/guardian should submit a form DS-3053 Statement of Consent: Issuance of a Passport to a Minor (being revised as noted above to reflect that this requirement pertains to minors under the age of 16).
Applying “In Loco Parentis” --
A third-party in loco parentis applying on behalf of a minor under the age of 16 must submit a notarized written statement or affidavit from both parents or guardians authorizing a third-party to apply for a passport. When the statement or affidavit is from only one parent/guardian, the third-party must present evidence of sole custody of the authorizing parent/guardian.
Changes to Passport Fees –
In addition, beginning February 1, 2008, the Department of State will institute a new fee schedule for various passport services. Fees are being adjusted to cover the cost of providing efficient and secure passport services. For the current fee schedule, please check the Embassy website at http://uae.usembassy.gov, or the Consulate General’s website at http://dubai.usconsulate.gov or the State Department’s website at http://travel.state.gov .
A quick, general summary: For first-time adult applicants, the total fee will be $100 ($75 application fee plus $25 execution fee). For adult applicants eligible to renew a passport, the total fee will be $75. For minor children under the age of 16, the fee will be $85 for a 5-year passport ($60 application fee plus $25 execution fee). Minors age 16 and 17 are eligible to receive a 10-year passport, for which the fee will be $100 ($75 application fee plus $25 execution fee).
Please be aware that the Embassy and the Consulate General accept payment for these services in local currency (Dirhams) and by credit card only.
Sincerely,
Robert A. Dolce, Consul
American Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cynthia Ebeid, Consul
American Consulate General Dubai
The U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi is located at Embassies District, Plot 38, Sector W59-02, Street No. 4, P.O. Box 4009. The telephone number is (971) (2) 414-2200, and the Consular Section fax number is (971) (2) 414-2241. The email address for American Citizens Services inquiries, including passport questions, is abudhabiacs@state.gov. The Embassy Internet web site is http://uae.usembassy.gov. For after-hours emergencies in Abu Dhabi, contact the Embassy at 971)(2) 414-2500 for the Abu Dhabi Duty Officer.
The U.S. Consulate General in Dubai is located on the 21st floor of the Dubai World Trade Center, P.O. Box 9343. The telephone number is (971) (4) 311-6000. The Consular Section fax number is (971) (4) 311-6213. The email address for American Citizens Services inquiries, including passport questions, is dubaiwarden@state.gov. The web site for the U.S. Consulate General in Dubai is http://dubai.usconsulate.gov. For after-hours emergencies in Dubai, contact the Embassy at (971)(2) 414-2500 for the Dubai Duty Officer.