Press Release
United States Consulate General
Guadalajara
March 8, 2002
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. This will increase processing times at some U.S. Embassies and Consulates, but the Department 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. consular officials in Mexico anticipate that the new passports will be delivered approximately two weeks after the application is submitted.
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. 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.
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