The cost of the courier service is 200 Birr. The fee will be paid at the Embassy to EMS service desk. The courier will either deliver your documents directly to you or call you to pick-up at EMS main post office.

If you are applying for renewal of adult U.S. passport by mail the cost of the courier service is 400 Birr.

The U.S Embassy in Addis Ababa allows pick-ups from the Embassy only in emergency cases.

First U.S. passport, renewal of a minor’s passport or first time adult passport (DS-11 form)

You are in the right section if:

• This is the first time you are applying for a U.S. Passport.
• Your previous passport was issued more than 15 years ago.
• You are renewing a passport that was issued when you were 15 years old or younger.

If any of these do not apply to you and you just need to renew your passport, please check our Renew Adult Passport section.

If you had your passport stolen or if it has been lost, please check our Report a Lost or Stolen Passport section.

Requirements for first time U.S passport

• Completed passport application  Form DS-11
• Proof of Citizenship (U.S. Birth Certificate, Report of Birth Abroad or Certificate of Naturalization) Original and one (1) copy
• One recent 2″ x 2″ (5 cm x 5 cm color photo with a white background. (Make sure that the pictures comply with the requirements )
  Important: If your picture does not comply with the requirements your application will not be accepted and you will have to start the process again
• Documentation supporting any amendment to biographic information Original and one (1) copy
• Cash, credit or debit card to pay the corresponding fees, checks are NOT accepted

Note: In order to avoid any unnecessary delays, please take a few extra moments to verify the accuracy of the biographical information (including the Social Security number) on your application form.

Requirements for renewal of minor’s passport 

• Completed passport application  Form DS-11

• U.S. birth certificate from the State Vital Records or Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA)  Original and one (1) copy
• Applicant’s previous passport Original and one (1) copy
• Valid picture ID for both parents (passport, driver license, etc.) Original and one (1) copy
• Minor must be present.
• Both parents must appear in person at the time of application.
  If one or both parents cannot be present the day the minor is applying for the passport, please read the information provided on this link Please note that the absent parent must sign the form (DS-3053) at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate or in front of a certified notary public in the U.S.
• It is recommended that you bring printed age progression photos (evolutionary pictures), at least two for each year starting from the year the last passport was issued

Note: The Consular Officer may request additional documentation, or other requirements not mentioned on the website, before approving a passport.

Our procedures to apply for a U.S. passport renewal have changed.  Please review the information on the page below:

Renewing your U.S. passport

 

Replacement a Lost or Stolen Passport

If your passport was stolen, report it to the American Citizen Services Section by sending an e-mail with the information of the event. A Duty Officer is available after hours to assist with life and death emergencies, please check our emergency contact information.

In the unfortunate event that you have you had your passport stolen or it was lost while you are in Ethiopia, the American Citizen Services section can assist you in getting a new travel document in a prompt manner.

Our first recommendation is to notify the local authorities:

• If your passport has been lost or stolen, please report it at the closest police station and please report the incident to the American Citizen Services Section by sending an e-mail with the information of the event.

Required Documents

• Completed passport application Form DS-11
• Completed statement regarding lost or stolen passport Form DS-64
• Proof of your U.S. citizenship (previous U.S. passport, Naturalization Certificate, Report of Birth Abroad, or a photocopy of the biographic data page (inside cover) of your stolen/lost passport. If you do not have any originals the process might take longer than usual.)
• One recent 2″ x 2″ (5 cm x 5 cm) color photo with a white background Make sure that the pictures comply with the requirements.

Important: If your picture does not comply with the requirements your application will not be accepted and you will have to start the process again.

• Police report from Ethiopian Authorities showing you reported the incident 
  

• Cash, credit or debit card to pay the corresponding fees, checks are NOT accepted. 

Emergency passports are only given under life or death emergencies or if your passport has been stolen while visiting Ethiopia and you have to travel immediately. We remind you that the lack of planning does not constitute an emergency.

you can contact the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa, send an e-mail with a detailed explanation identifying the situation to addisacs@state.gov . Make sure your email  include supporting documentation and a copy of your travel itinerary.

These inboxes are only for American Citizen Services related inquiries, other inquiries will not be answered.

You may be eligible to use this form if you need to change or correct your passport, or you need to replace a passport that was limited to less than 10 years validity (which is the normal validity period for an adult’s passport.)

Required Documents

• Completed Form DS-5504
• Your most recent U.S. passport 
• Your original or certified name change document such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order
• One recent 2″ x 2″ (5 cm x 5 cm) color photo with a white background Make sure that the pictures comply with the requirements

Ethiopian laws prohibit a foreigner entering the country if the passport validity is less than 6 months at the time of arrival.  The authorities at the airport can deport you at entry and you would be returned to the port of embarkation at your cost.

Unfortunately if you encounter this problem at an Ethiopian airport, we regret to inform you that the US Embassy will not solve your problem.

Important Information about six month validity rule
The 6 month validity law applies when you enter Ethiopia, not when you depart Ethiopia.  Your U.S. passport is valid until the day of expiration, U.S. Citizens that are travelling back to the U.S. on a non-stop flight may use their valid U.S. passport even if it has less than six month validity.

Generally, immediate family members may accompany passport or CRBA applicants to their appointment interviews at a U.S. embassy or consulate, and all minor children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.  Passport or CRBA applicants also have the option of being accompanied by an attorney at their appointment interview.  Attendance by any third party, including an attorney, accompanying an applicant is subject to the following parameters designed to ensure an orderly appointment interview process and to maintain the integrity of the adjudication of the application(s):

• Given space limitations in the consular section, not more than one attendee at a time will be allowed to accompany an applicant (or the applicant’s parent or guardian if the applicant is a minor).
• Attendance by an attorney does not excuse the applicant and/or the minor applicant’s parent or guardian from attending the appointment interview in person.
• The manner in which a passport or CRBA appointment interview is conducted, and the scope and nature of the inquiry, shall at all times be at the discretion of the consular officer, following applicable Departmental guidance.
• It is expected that attorneys will provide their clients with relevant legal advice prior to, rather than at, the appointment interview, and will advise their clients prior to the appointment interview that the client will participate in the appointment interview with minimal assistance.
• Attorneys may not engage in any form of legal argumentation during the appointment interview and before the consular officer.
• Attendees other than a parent or guardian accompanying a minor child may not answer a consular officer’s question on behalf or in lieu of an applicant, nor may they summarize, correct, or attempt to clarify an applicant’s response, or interrupt or interfere with an applicant’s responses to a consular officer’s questions.
• To the extent that an applicant does not understand a question, s/he should seek clarification from the consular officer directly.
• The consular officer has sole discretion to determine the appropriate language(s) for communication with the applicant, based on the facility of both officer and applicant and the manner and form that best facilitate communication between the consular officer and the applicant.  Attendees may not demand that communications take place in a particular language solely for the benefit of the attendee.  Nor may attendees object to or insist on the participation of an interpreter in the appointment interview, to the qualifications of any interpreter, or to the manner or substance of any translation.
• No attendee may coach or instruct applicants as to how to answer a consular officer’s question.
• Attendees may not object to a consular officer’s question on any ground (including that the attendee regards the question to be inappropriate, irrelevant, or adversarial), or instruct the applicant not to answer a consular officer’s question.  Attendees may not interfere in any manner with the consular officer’s ability to conduct all inquiries and fact-finding necessary to exercise his or her responsibilities to adjudicate the application.
• During a passport or CRBA appointment interview, attendees may not discuss or inquire about other applications.
• Attendees may take written notes, but may not otherwise record the appointment interviews.
• Attendees may not engage in any other conduct that materially disrupts the appointment interview.  For example, they may not yell at or otherwise attempt to intimidate or abuse a consular officer or staff, and they may not engage in any conduct that threatens U.S. national security or the security of the embassy or its personnel.  Attendees must follow all security policies of the Department of State and the U.S. embassy or consulate where the appointment interview takes place.

Attendees may not engage in any conduct that violates this policy and/or otherwise materially disrupts the appointment interview.  Failure to observe these parameters will result in a warning to the attendee and, if ignored, the attendee may be asked to leave the appointment interview and/or the premises, as appropriate.  It would then be the applicant’s choice whether to continue the appointment interview without the attendee present, subject to the consular officer’s discretion to terminate the appointment interview.  The safety and privacy of all applicants awaiting consular services, as well as of consular and embassy personnel, is of paramount consideration.