If you are a US passport holder currently within the jurisdiction of the Kingdom of Thailand and your passport is about to expire, the first thing to consider (after, of course, gathering the required documents) is how to make an appointment with the US Embassy in Thailand to renew your US passport.
Renewal of all US passports within the territory of the Kingdom of Thailand is under the authority of the American Citizen Services (ACS) located at 95 Wireless Road in Bangkok, just opposite the main building of the US Embassy. USA
According to the rules of the US Embassy in Thailand, only applicants who appear in person will be received by the ACS, which is open from 7:30 am to 11:00 am and from 1:00 am to 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
After the US passport renewal application is approved, there is usually a two-week processing period.
Step-by-Step Process for Renewing a US Passport
Step 1 Gather the required documents
a) To prove that the applicant is a US citizen, you can bring any of the following official documents (only original copies will be accepted as proof):
– US birth certificate
– Previous US passport
– Certificate of citizenship
– Certificate of naturalization
– Consular report of birth abroad
b) To prove your true identity, any of the following documents will suffice, as long as it is original:
– Previous US passport
-Certificate of naturalization
– Valid government-issued identification card such as driver’s license, military ID card, and the like
c) Social Security Number
d) Two photographs (must be the same) 2 x 2 inches
Step 2 Complete the Passport Application Form (either DS-82 or DS-11 based on the following conditions)
For Form DS-82, ALL of the following criteria must be present:
– The US passport must have been issued when the holder of the passport was sixteen (16) years of age or older.
– Must have been issued within the last fifteen (15) years
– The passport is damaged and can be presented at the time of application.
– The passport was issued under the current name of the holder, or there are legal documents that can support any name change
If any of these requirements are missing, the applicant must complete the DS-11 form.
Step 3 Submit the completed application form along with the required documents. Remember to sign the application form in front of the Consular Officer before submitting it to the ACS.
Once approved, the passport can be picked up by the applicant within two weeks of approval.
Summary
Please remember that the US passport is the most important document a US citizen can possess while within the jurisdiction of the Kingdom of Thailand.
A US passport is not just a paper document that proves its holder’s citizenship, but more importantly, it gives its bearer the right and privilege to request assistance from United States consular officers who have authority and jurisdiction over US affairs in Thailand.
Therefore, it is a prudent and wise idea to renew your passport promptly, or report its loss immediately to the proper authorities to avoid any inconvenience that may result from late renewal or loss reporting.
It is also good practice for the passport holder to keep a photocopy of the passport in a safe place separate from the original passport. Also, if he ever loses his US passport, he can contact the US Embassy in Bangkok.
