Information for travellers
Consular Warden Message - Increases to U.S. Passport Fees and New Parental Signature Requirements for U.S. Minors
#02/08
The Consular Section of the American Embassy in Turkmenistan brings the following Public Announcement to the attention of American Citizens resident in or visiting Turkmenistan.
On February 1, 2008, the U.S. Government will increase its fees for certain U.S. citizen passport services. For adult applicants renewing a passport, the total fee will increase to $75. For first-time applicants age 16 and over, the total fee will increase to $100. The fee for minors under 16 years of age will be $85.
Effective February 1, 2008, passport applicants who are U.S. citizen minors under the age of 16 must appear personally with their parents to establish identity, proof of citizenship and proof of relationship. To meet legal requirements, both parents must appear together and sign, or one parent may appear to sign and submit the other parent’s notarized statement, or one parent may appear, sign, and submit primary evidence of sole authority to sign for the child. Minors age 16 and 17 may apply in person with their own identification, but for security reasons, parental consent may be required. If a child does not have legal identification of his or her own, a parent will be required to accompany the child and present identification.
Please refer to the Department of State’s website at http://www.travel.state.gov for complete information on all new requirements, including downloadable revised forms that must be used as of February 1, and the U.S. Embassy Ashgabat website at http://turkmenistan.usembassy.gov for complete U.S. passport application instructions.
Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the U.S. Embassy’s website http://turkmenistan.usembassy.gov and the U.S. Department of State's travel website at http://www.travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts can be found. The U.S. Embassy also encourages U.S. citizens to review to "A Safe Trip Abroad," found at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1747.html , which includes valuable security information for those both living and traveling abroad. In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada, or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.
Citizens living and residing in Turkmenistan are advised to register their presence in the country through the U.S. Department of State's automated online registration system, https://travelregistration.state.gov. U.S. citizens may also contact the Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy Ashgabat via e-mail consularashgab@state.gov or by calling (993-12) 35-00-45. This complete message is available on the Embassy’s website at http://turkmenistan.usembassy.gov
Elizabeth W. Webster
Consul
U.S. Embassy Ashgabat,
9 Pushkin Street
Tel. (993-12) 350045
Fax: (992-12) 392614
24 hour emergency number (993-66) 308163
