Embassy of the United States Thessaloniki, Greece

Renewals by Mail

When applying by mail, please do not send cash. In addition, the Consulate is not authorized to accept personal checks. The Consulate cannot be held responsible for cash received or for returning cash balances. Fees by mail should be paid by sending a PIRAEUS bank check of 88.00 Euros (NOT Dollars), made out to the American Consulate, Thessaloniki. For information on current fees, please see the Fees and Forms of Payment on this website. Please verify the current exchange rate by calling 2310-242905, extension 3104, from 2-4 p.m, on Mondays-Wednesdays-Friday, before buying the check.

Send your application, passport and required documents to:

American Consulate General Thessaloniki, 43 Tsimiski Street
54623 Thessaloniki Greece c/o Consular Passport/Citizenship Unit

You must enclose a pre-paid return envelope for registered mail which you must purchase from a local post office (ΕΛΤΑ). The cost is approximately 3.00 euro, payable by you at the post office. The envelope may contain up to two passports. If you prefer to have your passport returned by courier, please enclose a note to that effect, and provide your mobile phone number. The courier will be paid by you upon receipt of the passport.

Passport Information

For information regarding appropriate type of application, please read the appropriate instructions below:

• Application in Person (mandatory for certain categories)
• Passport Renewals (by mail or in person)

Amending Your Passport

Passports are no longer amended, although additional visa pages may still be added to existing passports. Customers requesting name changes, extensions of validity for limited passports, or corrections of printing errors must apply for replacement passports.

• If the change requested is within one year after issuance, customers must submit a U.S. Passport Re-Application Form (DS-5504), together with the passport that needs the change, the documentation required, and new passport pictures. There will be no charge for routine processing.

1. If the change is more than one year after issuance, customers must submit an Application for a U.S. Passport by Mail (DS-82), or an Application for a U.S. Passport (DS-11), as appropriate. In addition, applicants must present the passport that needs the change, the documentation required, new pictures, and pay the required fees.  If the requested data change is due to a printing error by Passport Services, there will be no charge.

Supporting Documents

Change of name: Certified copies of Marriage Certificate, Divorce Decree, Court Order, Adoption Decree or Birth Certificate, must be presented to support a change or correction of data. If the divorce decree does not show your maiden/former name that you intend to use, your birth certificate should be submitted with the application. Identifying documents bearing your new name should also be presented.

Additional Notes

Change of surname and/or complete given name without a court order: A passport shall be issued in the assumed name only when the applicant provides acceptable documents of identity in the assumed name and acceptable evidence which shows exclusive use of the name for at least five years. Three or more public documents (such as school records, military records, employment records, tax records, or other public records) showing exclusive use of the assumed name for at least five years are required.

Affidavits (Form DS-71) (PDF 73.3KB) executed by two or more U.S. citizens attesting that they have known the applicant by both names, and that the applicant has used the assumed name exclusively for all purposes for at least five years, may be provided in place of one of the public documents if the applicant cannot obtain a third public record. Generally, the attesting U.S. citizen comes into the passport unit to complete the affidavit. A U.S. notarial is provided at no cost.

Assumption of new name as "known as" name: If the assumed name has been used for at least five years, it may be included in the passport as a "known as" name. The applicant must sign the application with both names and provide acceptable identification in the "known as" name. An applicant who has assumed a new name as a "known as" name should also submit public documents (such as school records, military records, employment records, tax records, or other public records) showing use of the assumed name. Three or more public documents should be sufficient. Affidavits (Form DS-71) executed by two or more U.S. citizens attesting that they have known the applicant by both names, and for what purpose(s) the applicant uses each name, may be provided in place of one of the public documents if the applicant cannot obtain a third public record.

Note on Passport Photographs

U.S. passport photographs are different from Greek passport photos and many photographers in Greece are not familiar with U.S. passport photo specifications. We strongly recommend that you print out the photo requirements for U.S. passports and take them to the photographer.

The photographs must be:

• identical;
• recent (taken within the last six months);
• approximately 2X2 inches (5X5 centimeters);
• head size from chin to top of head: minimum 25mm (1 inch), maximum 35mm (1 3/8 inch);
• full face, without a head covering; and
• color with a white, plain background.

The Passport and Citizenship Unit is closed the last Wednesday of each month. For emergencies on those days call from 8:30 a.m to 5:00 p.m. 210-721-2951 and after 5:00 p.m. 210-720-2490 or 210-720-2491.

Adding Visa Pages

If your passport’s visa pages are becoming full, but your passport is still valid and in good condition, you may apply for additional pages to be added to your passport at the Embassy. The fee for this service is$82 or the equivalent in euros."

Note: If applying for children under 16, the personal appearance of the minor is not required. However, the minor’s parents must comply with the two-parent consent requirement. Please see: Special Requirements for Children Under Age 16.

Please submit:

• your valid ten- or five-year passport
• completed Form DS-4085. Please ignore page one of the instruction pages, as it does not apply when applying for extra visa pages in Greece.

Notice: All Minors must appear in person

To enhance the accurate identification of passport applicants and aid in the prevention of international child abduction and trafficking, the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs has begun requiring the personal appearance of all minors applying for U.S. passports.
This applies to all regular, official and diplomatic passports for children under the age of 16, even if the child has previously been issued a passport. Prior to the introduction of this requirement, parents were not routinely required to bring a child under the age of 16 with them when they applied on the child’s behalf. Now, when applying for a passport on behalf of a minor under the age of 16, parents are required to have their child present and submit documentation of parental relationship and consent, as well as comply with all other documentation requirements for the issuance of a passport.
The personal appearance requirement for all minors is a further step towards ensuring the integrity of the passport application process. This change will help to verify the identity of minor applicants and aid in the prevention of international child abduction and trafficking.
For additional information about passport application requirements, please visit the Passport Information page at: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html or call the National Passport Information Center.