As of December 12, 2007, all passport applicants at the Embassy of Sweden in Washington must be digitally photographed on site at the time of the application.
Applications may no longer be submitted at the honorary consulates in the U.S.
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 are one and the same.
For that same reason, photo stations have also been installed at the Embassy of Sweden in Washington to photograph all passport applicants. These photos 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 have been introduced gradually at Swedish missions abroad – embassies and consulates (not honorary consulates) – during 2007. The Embassy of Sweden in Washington, DC will introduce the new photo stations on December 12, 2007. As a result, new rules for passport applicants apply throughout the Washington, DC consular district, which includes the following states:
Honorary Consulates No Longer Passport Offices
As Swedish missions abroad begin to use photo stations, honorary consulates cease to act as passport offices. The honorary consulates in the Washingtonn, DC consular district (see list above) can therefore no longer accept applications for regular passports or identity cards.
Applicants must apply in person at the Consulates General in New York or Los Angeles or at the Embassy in Washington, DC.
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 2009) The Embassy of Sweden in Washington must verify the quality of the new passport or identity card and then forward it to the honorary consulate. The applicant's identity must be 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 are also receiving 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 reside abroad and who need a new passport or identity card have options for applying for new douments:
>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 pickup your new passport or identity card at an embassy or consulate, although this takes longer and costs more. > You may submit your application at a Swedish mission abroad. New documents for travel take between three to four weeks as they are produced in Sweden and sent back by courier. The documents can be picked up at any passport office in Sweden or abroad.Provisional Passports Remain the SameThe handling and application procedure for provisional or emergency passports remains unchanged. They will be issued in the same way as before. 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