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Effective immediately personal appearance at the Embassy in Bern or the Consular Agencies in Zurich and Geneva is required for all applicants who are not in possession of a full validity passport issued after their 16th birthday.
(Please note closure dates here) 

To enhance the accurate identification of passport applicants and aid in the prevention of international child abduction and trafficking, the Department of State requires the personal appearance of all minors under the age of 16 years applying for U.S. passports (separate information sheet attached).
 
In addition, the mail-in program is now limited to persons who are able to present a full-validity passport issued when the applicant was at least 16 years old.  The personal appearance requirement is a further step towards ensuring the integrity of the passport application process.
 
If you do not qualify for passport renewal by mail, you are required to appear at the Embassy or the Consular Agency in Zurich or Geneva and sign the passport application (DS-11) in the presence of a consular official.

What Do I Need?

• Completed, unsigned form DS-11 (please disregard the instructions on the reverse side of the application)
• Your most recent U.S. passport if you are not a first time applicant. If your passport has been expired for more than five years, please bring another valid photo identity document.
• 1 photograph (5x5cm). Passport photograph requirements are strictly enforced.
• The fee for a passport application in person is
  • U.S. $105.00 or CHF 105.00 for applicants under 16 years of age
  • U.S. $135.00 or CHF 135.00 for applicants over 16 years of age

Fees can be paid in cash, in either currency, at the time of application. Major credit cards are accepted (Maestro or EC not accepted)with a valid passport for identification only in Bern. The Swiss franc amounts calculated by the Embassy based on an average exchange rate, not the daily rate used by banks and post offices.

A passport will be issued only in the name in which your previous passport was issued unless the application is accompanied by an original or certified copy of a court order, marriage certificate, or divorce decree reflecting the name change. The Swiss Family Book is not acceptable.

First Time Passport Issuance

In addition to a completed, unsigned form DS-11 (please disregard the instructions on the reverse side of the application), 1 photo and the fee as specified above, please submit the original or a certified true copy of the long form of your U.S. birth certificate, the Consular Report of Birth Abroad (form FS-240), or the original of your Certificate of Naturalization/Citizenship and one valid photo identity document.

How Long Does It Take?

Except in emergencies, U.S. passports are produced at facilities in the United States. Please take into consideration that this procedure increases processing time when applying for or renewing passports at an Embassy or Consulate, and plan your travel accordingly.

Please allow a minimum of 15 working days for the processing of fully documented applications, especially during peak travel periods. To ensure a quick turnaround, please do your best to submit a correctly completed application, usable photos, your previous passport, and the required fee.

Mailing the New Passport to You

Unless we receive a prepaid stamped envelope from you  (C-5), the Embassy will send your old and new passport to you by 'B' mail, which can take up to 5 days.

Emergency Passport

If you need to travel urgently (for medical reasons, death in the the family, replacement of a lost/stolen passport, victims of serious crime), you may apply for an emergency passport in person at the Embassy in Bern. This passport will be limited in validity and cannot be extended.

Privacy Act Statement

The information solicited on form DS-11 is authorized by, but not limited to, those statutes codified in Titles 8, 18, and 22, United States Code, and all predecessor statutes whether or not codified, and all regulations issued pursuant to Executive Order 11295 of August 5, 1966. The primary purpose for soliciting the information is to establish citizenship, identity, and entitlement to issuance of a United States passport or related facility, and to properly administer and enforce the laws pertaining thereto.

The information is made available for routine use on a need-to­ know basis to personnel of the Department of State and other government agencies having statutory or other lawful authority to maintain such information in the performance of their official duties; pursuant to a court order and as set forth in Part 171, Title 22, Code of Federal Regulations (See Federal Register, Volume 42, pages 49791 through 49795.

Failure to provide the information requested on this form may result in the denial of a United States passport, related document or service to the individual seeking such passport, document or service.

Note: The disclosure of the identity and location of a person to be notified in the event of death or accident is entirely voluntary. If you do not authorize us to inform anyone, we may be unable to provide you with timely assistance or protection in the event of a family emergency.