Subject: Launch of Pay.gov DS-82 Program: Two Ways to Pay for and Renew an Adult U.S. Passport by Mail.
U.S. Embassy Addis Ababa is pleased to announce two methods for renewing adult U.S. passports for U.S. citizens in Ethiopia. Eligible applicants no longer need to appear in person to renew their U.S. passport.
There are now two ways for adult U.S. citizens to pay for and renew their U.S. passport by mail:
- Pay.gov: Submit a payment online at Pay.gov and then mail the passport application form DS-82 and the payment confirmation to the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa. Applicants who wish to pay for their passport renewal online should visit: Pay.gov – DS-82 U.S. Passport Renewal Application Fee Payment Form (2) for more information. If eligible, applicants can submit payment via a U.S. or international credit or debit card, electronic funds transfer from a U.S.-based bank account, Amazon Pay, or Pay Pal. Visit the Embassy website here for detailed instructions.
- Bank of Abyssinia: Purchase a Cashier Payment Order (CPO) from the Bank of Abyssinia and then mail the passport application form DS-82 and the CPO to the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa. Applicants who wish to pay for their passport renewal with a CPO from the Bank of Abyssinia should visit the Embassy website here for detailed instructions.
All eligible applicants should use one of these two options and should not schedule an appointment at the U.S. Embassy. Passport appointments are reserved for adult U.S. citizens who do not meet the eligibility requirements to renew by mail and for U.S. citizen minors using form DS-11.
Eligibility Requirements to Renew by Mail:
- You can submit your most recent U.S. Passport book;
- You were 16 years old or older when your most recent U.S. Passport book was issued;
- You hold a 10-year validity U.S. Passport which was issued within the past 15 years;
- Your U.S. Passport has not been limited from the normal 10-year validity period due to damage, mutilation or multiple thefts or losses; and
- You are not requesting a change in the passport data, other than a name change due to marriage, divorce or court order for which you can submit official documentation (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order) to support the name change.
Please, note that to renew a passport book only, applicants may use either the Pay.gov or CPO option. To renew a passport book together with a passport card, applicants must use the CPO option with the Bank of Abyssinia.
Before mailing your DS-82 passport renewal application packet to the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa, visit the Embassy website here for detailed instructions and confirm your mail-in packet includes ALL of these items:
(1) completed DS-82 form, signed and dated by pen;
(2) your current passport book (make a photocopy of the biographical page of your current passport for your own records before mailing your application packet);
(3) a photocopy of your passport bio page;
(4) a passport photo that meets the size and format requirements;
(5) a payment confirmation page from Pay.gov or an original CPO from the Bank of Abyssinia;
(6) a self-addressed, postage-paid envelope for us to return your documents in; and
(7) if applicable, your proof of name change AND a photocopy.
U.S. citizen minors using form DS-11 are not eligible to renew their passports by mail. DS-11 applicants must make an appointment here.
Assistance:
U.S. Embassy Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
+251-111-306-000
+251-111-306-911 or 011-130-6000 (after hours)
State Department – Consular Affairs: +1 888-407-4747 or +1 202-501-4444
The Department of State has no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens overseas. We encourage U.S. citizens to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates and to ensure you can be located in an emergency.
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