U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
For Immediate Release
April 2, 2002
STATEMENT BY PHILIP T. REEKER, DEPUTY SPOKESMAN
U.S. Passports Will No Longer be Issued Abroad
Effective April 8, 2002, American citizens who require issuance of
a U.S. passport while residing overseas will be issued the latest,
state-of-the-art passport. It incorporates a digitized image with
other enhanced security features. Because this technology is not
available at U.S. embassies and consulates, overseas passport issuance
is being transferred to the National Passport Processing Center in
Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
The security of travel documents in the post-September 11 world has
become even more important. The new passport has many features that
make it one of the most secure travel documents produced anywhere in
the world. Getting these more secure passports into circulation will
help minimize the misuse of American passports by criminals,
terrorists, and others.
This new procedure will increase processing time at U.S. embassies
and consulates, but the Department is committed to ensuring that
American citizens receive secure documents in a timely manner.
American citizens overseas are encouraged to apply early for renewal
of expiring passports.
U.S. embassies and consulates will continue to issue passports that
are needed for urgent travel. However, such passports will be limited
in validity, and cannot be extended. Bearers will be required to
exchange, at no additional cost, their limited validity passports for
a full-validity digitized passports upon completion of their urgent
travel.
