License violation! License is already in use at another online site: http://old.swedenabroad.se/ [_LM_W3SVC_3_Root] Consulate General of Sweden - New Passport Application Procedures in 2007
New York

New Passport Application Procedures for Increased Security

Passport application procedures changed in 2007 to increase the security of travel documents. As of March 1, 2007, all passport applicants at the Consulate General of Sweden in New York must be digitally photographed on site at the time of the application. In conjunction, applications may no longer be submitted at the honorary consulates in the New York consular district.

Why Are New Procedures Being Introduced?

In today's world, it has become increasingly important that documents required to travel – passports and identity cards – are secure.  As of October 1, 2005, Swedish travel documents are issued in compliance with the requirements laid down in the EU regulation regarding passport security and biometrics.  These passports and identity cards have a computer chip which stores the holder's personal data and photograph. 

The police in Sweden use digital photo stations to photograph everyone who applies for a passport or identity card.  At a border checkpoint, a snapshot of the passport holder can be instantly compared to the photo on the chip.  The aim is to ensure that the person using the passport and the person in the passport photo is one and the same.

For that same reason, photo stations have also been installed at the Consulate General of Sweden in New York to photograph all passport applicants.  These photos have come to replace those previously provided by the applicants themselves. 

Further information about Swedish passports and identity cards is available on the website of the Swedish Police, www.polisen.se

Gradual Introduction at Embassies and Consulates

Photo stations are being introduced gradually at Swedish missions abroad – embassies and consulates (not honorary consulates) – throughout 2007.  The Consulate General of Sweden in New York introduced the new photo stations on March 1, 2007.  As a result, new rules for passport applicants apply throughout New York's consular district, which includes the following states and territories: 

  • Alabama
  • Arkansas
  • Bermuda
  • Connecticut
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Massachusetts
  • Nebraska
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Pennsylvania
  • Puerto Rico
  • Rhode Island
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Vermont
  • Virgin Islands
  • Wisconsin

Honorary Consulates Cease to be Passport Offices

As Swedish missions abroad begin to use photo stations, honorary consulates cease to act as passport offices.  The honorary consulates in the New York consular district (see list above) can therefore no longer accept applications for regular passports or identity cards.

Applicants must apply in person at the Consulate General in New York or Los Angeles, or at the Embassy in Washington DC.

The Embassy of Sweden in Washington and the Consulate General of Sweden in Los Angeles will introduce the same security measures in December of 2007.  However, until photo stations are installed, the previous passport application procedures will continue to apply at these two missions.  Passport applications will still be accepted at certain honorary consulates in their consular districts.

Two Personal Visits

The new procedure for travel documents means that a person who is applying for a new, regular passport or national identity card must make two personal visits.  The first visit is to apply in person and the second to pick up the passport or identity card when it is ready.

Pick-Up of New Passports at Honorary Consulates

New passports and identity cards may still be picked up at honorary consulates until Sweden introduces fingerprints in travel documents.  (This is planned for 2008 at the earliest.)  The Consulate General of Sweden in New York verifies the quality of the new passport or identity card and then forwards it to the honorary consulate, where the applicant's identity is verified when he or she picks up the document. 

Electronic Handling and Shorter Wait Times

As the Swedish missions abroad begin using photo stations, they also receive new technical equipment to produce the basis for a passport or identity card.  The application is sent electronically to Sweden for manufacturing, which means shorter wait times for applicants.

Different Alternatives for Swedes Abroad

Swedish nationals who are resident abroad and who need a new passport or identity card can apply in different ways: 

  • The quickest and cheapest way is to apply while visiting Sweden.  You can contact any passport office (see www.polisen.se). Normally, you can pick up a new passport or identity card within a week.  It is also possible to collect you new passport or identity card at an embassy or consulate, although this takes longer and costs more.
  • You can also submit your application at a Swedish mission abroad.  New documents for travel take between one to two weeks as they are produced in Sweden and sent by courier.  The documents can be picked up at any passport office in Sweden or abroad.

Provisional Passports Are Issued As Previously

The handling and application procedure for provisional or emergency passports will remain unchanged.  They will be issued in the same way as previously.  The documents affected by the new procedure are regular passports, extra passports and national identity cards.

Required Documents for All Applicants

All applicants for passports or national identity cards must provide proof of identity, as well as proof of Swedish citizenship.  Applicants are advised to consult embassy or consulate staff in advance of submitting their application.

> Get complete passport application instructions
  
3 Crowns