Passports
Emergency Passport Replacement
Replacing an Emergency Passport for a Full-Validity Passport
If you were issued an emergency limited-validity passport because of an imminent departure, we encourage you to replace it with a full-validity passport immediately upon completion of your travel. If your application for replacement is made within one year from the date of issuance of the emergency passport, all applicants including children must apply by mail, and no fee will be charged. (See general conditions below.)
Please note that two consecutive emergency passports cannot be issued and that an application for a full-validity passport takes approximately two weeks to process.
Follow the instructions below to replace your emergency limited-validity passport
A. Replacing an emergency passport within one year from the date of issuance
If you or your child’s current emergency passport is replaced within one year from the date of issuance, complete, sign and date application form DS-5504 and submit it to the passport unit in Paris by mail with the other required documents (see below). (For minors under age 16, this application form must be signed by the same person that signed the emergency passport). There is no fee for this service.
B. Replacing an emergency passport after one year from the date of issuance
For adults: if you replace your emergency passport after one year from the date of issuance, please click here for the by mail procedure with payment of $75: http://france.usembassy.gov/passbymail.html. You must use the application form DS-82.
For minors under age 16: if you replace your child’s emergency passport after one year from the date of issuance, you must schedule an online appointment, submit the completed application form DS-11 (do not sign this form) and other required documents. Parents and children must make a personal appearance before the consul, and you will pay the full fee of $85 for the child’s new passport.
Please click here for more information on appointments and forms: http://france.usembassy.gov/pass-under16.html. See also fees and payment methods.
Required Documents:
For replacements of ALL emergency passports please submit the following:
1. Your limited-validity emergency passport and;
2. The appropriate form (please enter your U.S. social security number which is mandatory.)
3. The letter which you received at the time you obtained the emergency passport with instructions on exchanging the passport, and;
4. Two (2) identical, recent, color photographs taken full face, with a white background, measuring 5 cm by 5 cm (2 in x 2 in). All French photo booth photographs are not acceptable. Please ask the photographer for photos for a U.S. passport, otherwise you may be given the wrong format. See our list of photographers.
5. A self-addressed Chronopost envelope (for France métropolitaine) available at all French post offices (one Chronopost envelope may contain several passports – maximum 8).
All passports will be returned by mail using the Chronopost envelope tracking system only. The Chronopost envelope tracking system guarantees a faster and more secure service for the return of your passport(s).
Once we have received the complete passport application, it takes approximately two weeks for you to receive your new full-validity passport. Your emergency passport will be cancelled and returned to you at the same time.
Application Forms
• Note that the online version of the application forms includes instructions on the back written for use in the U.S., which do not apply to your application in France. Please follow specific instructions on this webpage only.
• If completing forms online, make sure that all of the entered information is complete and correct before printing. Print the completed form using black ink on one-sided pages.
• If completing forms by hand, do so legibly and in black ink. Make sure that all of the entered information is complete and correct. Illegible or incomplete applications may delay application processing times.
Where to send your application and required documents:
If applicable, please send your completed signed application form, photos, emergency replacement letter, Chronopost envelope and current emergency passport to the following address:
U.S. Embassy
American Citizen Services
Passport Section
4, avenue Gabriel
75008 Paris
When traveling, please remember to carry a photocopy of your passport separately from your passport. In the event of loss or theft, the copy will facilitate issuance of an emergency passport.
Security at the Embassy
Please do not bring any electronic devices, such as laptop computers, Blackberries, iPods, or large bags, such as backpacks, suitcases or packages to the Consular Section as there are no storage facilities on Embassy grounds. Security guards may hold small tourist cameras and cell phones until your departure, but there is no storage available for any other large items or electronic devices — please do not bring them at the time of your visit.