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REGULATION GOVERNING THE ISSUANCE OF A
NEW LUXEMBOURG BIOMETRIC PASSPORT 

On the 13th of December 2004, the Council of the European Union adopted a new regulation on standards for security features and biometrics in passports and travel documents (EC. 2252/2004), which requires the member States to incorporate an electronic chip in the passport storing its holder's facial image and alpha-numeric data.

Luxembourg is issuing the biometric passport as of August 28, 2006. All other passport (Series B, C, F) issued before August 28, 2006 remain valid until their first expiration date but cannot be extended. The incorporation of finger-prints is scheduled to begin in 2009.

With effect from the 28th of August 2006 new rules concerning applications for passports and the issuance of travel documents will apply.

Passports issued to adults or minors age four or older will be valid for a period of five years. Minors who have not reached their fourth birthday will be issued a passport valid for a period of two years. Children will no longer be listed on the parent’s passport. On the other hand, parents’ names will be included in the child’s passport.

PASSPORT ISSUANCE:

All biometric passports are issued by the Passport Office in Luxembourg. In order to issue a new passport the Consulate needs to submit a strict set of documents to the Passport Office. Any incomplete application will not be accepted.

PAYMENT OF THE PASSPORT:

Before coming to the Consulate or sending any documents you will first have to make a wire transfer of 30 Euros (for a 5 years passport) or 20 Euros (for a 2 year passport) to the account referenced below.

Name / Account title:
Trésorerie de l'Etat - Bureau des Passports
Address:
43, Boulevard Roosevelt
L-2450 Luxembourg
Account #:
IBAN LU12 0019 1255 2241 8000
BIC Code: BCEELULL
Bank name:
Banque et Caisse d’Epargne de l’Etat
Address:
Luxembourg
City, State, Zip Code:
Luxembourg
Please Mention:
"Demande de passeport biométrique au nom de "first name / last name"

(The Consulate is not responsible for any additional fees you may encounter)

Once your transfer is completed, you need to submit the following documents to the Consulate General of Luxembourg in San Francisco.

IMPORTANT REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PASSPORT PHOTO:

One passport photograph: It is very important that the submitted photo complies with the standards set by the I.C.A.O. (International Civil Aviation Organization). Any photo, in order to be accepted, has to be recent, in color, of good quality, shot frontally, mouth closed, and the dimensions of the face from the tip of the chin to the top of the forehead must be between 32 millimeters and 36 millimeters.

Please print and bring the attached PDF document New ISO – ICAO photo guidelines and sample photos.pdf with you to the passport photographer.

This document gives you the exact dimensions of the face and shows the importance of “Eye position” within the “Eye range” of the passport photograph.

Since passport photo dimensions differ in the USA from Luxembourg, the Luxembourg Consulate General in San Francisco will cut your passport picture to the correct EU standard of 45 millimeters by 35 millimeters. It is your responsibility to obtain a passport photo with the correct facial dimensions.
The passport office in Luxembourg will reject all incorrect passport photographs.

For children under 6 years old: the picture can deviate from the norms established by the I.C.A.O.: the requirements for the mouths to be closed and eyes looking at the camera are waived.

Please refer to the option below which most closely matches your family situation.

I. Adult male (18 years or older)

1. A copy of the proof of payment of the fees of 30.00 Euros; refer to payment information in the preliminary notes.
2. The passport application form Biometric Passport Application.pdf completed and signed. The signature must not cross or touch the lines of the signature box on the application form.
3. A valid "Certificat de nationalité".
4. The expired passport: Luxembourg citizens are no longer permitted to keep their expired passports; you must return your expired passport in order to receive a new one.
5. A notarized copy of your valid Alien registration card (Green card) or a notarized copy of a US passport in cases of dual-nationality from birth.
6. One passport photograph: please follow the guidelines above in the section “Important Requirements for the Passport Photo.”
7. A proof of address (copy of your driving license, bills etc...)
8. An overnight return postage envelope (FedEx, UPS or Express Mail) if you're not in a position to pick up the passport yourself.

II. Adult female (18 years or older)

1. A copy of the proof of payment of the fees of 30.00 Euros; refer to payment information in the preliminary notes.
2. The passport application form Biometric Passport Application.pdf completed and signed. WOMEN MUST SIGN USING THEIR MAIDEN NAME. The signature must not cross or touch the lines of the signature box on the application form.
3. A valid "Certificat de nationalité"
4. The expired passport: Luxembourg citizens are no longer permitted to keep their expired passports; you must return your expired passport in order to receive a new one.
5. A notarized copy of your valid Alien registration card (Green card) or a notarized copy of a US passport in cases of dual-nationality from birth.
6. One passport photograph: please follow the guidelines above in the section “Important Requirements for the Passport Photo.”
7. A proof of address (copy of your driving license, bills etc...)
8. An overnight return postage envelope (FedEx, UPS or Express Mail) if you're not in a position to pick up the passport yourself
9. If married: a notarized copy of your marriage certificate and a notarized statement concerning your spouse’s nationality on the day of the marriage, such as the following example “I, name of your spouse, was an American citizen on the day I married your name”
10. If divorced: a notarized copy of your divorce record
11. If widowed: a notarized copy of your spouse’s death certificate
12. If single: a notarized statement that you have never been married, such as the following example “I, your name, have never been married”

III. Minor (less than 18 years old)

1. Copy of the proof of payment of 30€ (aged 4 or older for a 5 year passport) or 20€ (aged 3 or under for a 2 year passport); refer to payment information in the preliminary notes.
2. The passport application form Biometric Passport Application.pdf completed and signed by the child. Even young children who are just learning to write are asked to please attempt to print their name. The signature must not cross or touch the lines of the signature box on the application form. One of the 2 parents or guardians must sign in the area reserved for their signature.
3. A valid "Certificat de nationalité"
4. The expired passport (if this is the first passport being issued please let us know in a letter)
5. A certified copy of your valid Alien registration card (Green card) or copy of a US passport in cases of dual-nationality from birth
6. One passport photograph: please follow the guidelines above in the section “Important Requirements for the Passport Photo.”
7. A proof of address where the child is residing (copy of your driving license, bills etc...)
8. A proof of address for both of the parents (copy of driving license, bills etc...)
9. A certified document signed by both parents saying that the child is living with them or a certified document signed by the legal parent saying that the child is living with him.
10. An overnight return postage envelope (FedEx, UPS or Express Mail) if you're not in a position to pick up the passport yourself

Please contact the Luxembourg Consulate General at (415) 788-0816 in San Francisco before applying for a passport.

Please note that it will take up to 4 weeks for the issuance of your new biometric passport.

For applicants who do not have a valid "Certificat de nationalité" and wish to obtain a new one (click here), the Consulate strongly recommends that you apply at least two months before you need your new biometric passport