Useful info Updates from the US Consulate.

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This is the place to update everyone regarding new instructions or updates from the US consulate.​

 

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We continue to release consular appointments at Embassy Jerusalem and Embassy Branch Office Tel Aviv through our online scheduling system. Appointments for passports (including monthly appointments in Haifa), Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (CRBAs) and notarial services are released every Wednesday at 3:00 PM for the following week.  Emergency CRBA appointments are released daily. When you make an appointment, you should receive an email that your appointment has been scheduled.  Inside that email is a link to confirm the appointment.  Please confirm your appointment the same day the appointment is made, or it may be canceled the following workday.

Beginning January 2024, you are advised to complete your eCRBA application online before you schedule or reschedule a CRBA appointment at Embassy Jerusalem or Embassy Branch Office Tel Aviv.This online service allows U.S. citizen parents to complete a CRBA application online, upload all required documents and submit payment prior to the in-person interview.  We encourage all U.S. citizens to submit their CRBA applications online.  To learn more, please visit https://il.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/child-family-matters/birth/.
Beginning on January 1, 2024, the scheduling system will automatically direct you to the eCRBA application before you can choose a date and time for an appointment.

Please make sure that you fill out the application completely including entering all dates of physical presence in the United States and uploading scans of the official marriage and birth certificates. Failure to do so could result in significant delays in processing. Applicants with substantially incomplete applications may need to reschedule their appointments. You are advised to bring all original documents and photocopies when you arrive for your interview. If you already have an appointment scheduled, you can still choose to bring in the DS-2029 paper application or apply electronically at your discretion.

The CRBA is not a required document. You may apply for a Social Security Number with a U.S. passport and Israeli birth certificate. As such, you may choose to apply for a U.S. passport without applying for a CRBA even for a newborn who has never been documented as a U.S. citizen. If you would prefer that option, please schedule a passport appointment and contact us through our ACS Online Inquiry System to give us a heads up.​

 

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Passport and Consular Report of Birth Abroad Appointments Are Available:

Please do not wait until the last minute, apply now! We have many appointments available!

With summer fast approaching and more scheduled flights, the demand for passport renewal and first-time adjudication/Consular Report of Birth Abroad appointments will grow. We continue to release consular appointments at Embassy Jerusalem and Embassy Branch Office Tel Aviv through our online scheduling system. Appointments for passports, Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (CRBAs), and notarial services are released every Wednesday at 3:00 PM for the following week and there are many appointments available right now throughout the next three months! Remember, when you make an appointment, you should receive an email that your appointment has been scheduled. Inside that email is a link to confirm the appointment.  Please confirm your appointment the same day the appointment is made, or it may be canceled the following workday.​

 

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No Appointment Needed for Emergency, Limited-Validity Passport – Just Be In Line By 8:30AM:

We continue to accept walk-in emergency passport applicants at the Embassy in Jerusalem or Branch Office in Tel Aviv each weekday before 8:30 am if you have urgent travel within the next three weeks. The emergency passport will be a one-year limited validity passport that may not be acceptable for travel to some countries. Please first check our appointment system for available slots in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv as often there are opening within the next week.​

 

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Electronic Consular Report of Birth Abroad (eCRBA) Applications Make the Process Much Easier:


For our Consular Report of Birth Abroad applicants, you should complete your electronic CRBA (eCRBA) application online before you schedule or reschedule a CRBA appointment at Embassy Jerusalem or Embassy Branch Office Tel Aviv. This online service allows U.S. citizen parents to complete a CRBA application online, upload all required documents, and submit payment prior to the in-person interview.  We encourage all U.S. citizens to submit their CRBA applications online.  To learn more, please visit https://il.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/child-family-matters/birth/.


Please make sure that you fill out the application completely including entering all dates of physical presence in the United States and uploading scans of the official marriage and birth certificates. Failure to do so could result in significant delays in processing. Applicants with substantially incomplete applications may need to reschedule their appointments. Please bring all original documents and photocopies when you arrive for your interview. Please remember to upload the required documents in the eCRBA application and respond to any system messages that may be sent if additional action is needed.


The CRBA is not a required document. You may apply for a Social Security Number with a U.S. passport and Israeli/Palestinian Authority birth certificate. As such, you may choose to apply for a U.S. passport without applying for a CRBA even for a newborn who has never been documented as a U.S. citizen. If you would prefer that option, please schedule a passport appointment and contact us through our ACS Online Inquiry Systemto give us a heads up.​

 

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U.S. passport drop off this Thursday

If you are an adult with a valid adult, 10-year U.S. passport (or have an adult 10-year passport that expired less than 5 years ago) and you need to renew that passport, you can show up THIS THURSDAY when the U.S. embassy staff visits and drop off your application.

In order to have your application processed, you must bring the following:

- Filled out DS-82 form (download form from the embassy website)

- 5X5 cm photo with white background, no glasses. Married women can be wearing a head covering

- U.S. passport and one copy of the passport page with the picture and passport number.

- Receipt that you paid online for the passport (payment can be made online for the DS-82. It's $130). Here's a link to pay online: https://il.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/passport-services/fees/

- Confirmation from courier service of delivery - The new passport gets delivered to you via a courier service. Fill in this form (https://israelpost.co.il/embassy), pay the 60 Shekels and print the confirmation you'll get (not sure if it's on the website or only via a confirmation email you'll receive) and include that confirmation with the other documents above.

Bring everything together in a manilla envelope or something else so everything stays together. You'll be able to walk in, everything will be checked to ensure nothing's missing and you'll walk right out.

As a precaution: It's advisable to bring a second form of ID with you - Israeli passport, Teudat Zehut, drivers license. It won't be needed but just in case..



TIME AND PLACE:
The U.S. Embassy staff will be available for passport application dropoff this Thursday, May 9th from 10am-1pm.

Where: The social hall downstairs at the Feigenson synagogue in Nofei Aviv.

Because it is uncertain if the entrance upstairs will be open, please use this address: 20 Hashoshan Street. To the left of that house is a walkway. Go to the end of the walkway and you'll see the open gates on the left.​

 

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U.S. Embassy staff will be visiting Beit Shemesh on Thursday September 26, 2024 from 10am-1pm.

ספוילר: rest of the message

They will NOT- repeat NOT- be taking
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) appointments
- new passport applications for newborns
- social security applications.

APPLICATIONS
They WILL have appointments for the following:
1) Child passport renewal (minors under 16)
2) First time adult passport (over age 16)
3) Stolen/lost passport (for children and adults)
4) Adult passports that expired MORE than 5 years ago
That's it. For the above you must have documented proof of U.S. citizenship.

WHEN THE FIRST REGISTRATION FORM IS AVAILABLE ONLINE
The link to register for the embassy visit will be sent out to the Shemesh email, posted on the Shemesh WhatsApp group and local Facebook groups.
- The registration form link will be published on Monday August 19th and will be open from 5-8pm (17:00-20:00)
Filling in the registration form does NOT- I repeat does NOT- mean you have an appointment slot!!! There is a system in place to determine who will get a slot. (There are a very limited number of slots available.) I will ONLY contact those who have an appointment slot with further instructions about what they need to prepare and bring with them.
I know that many of you need appointments. Unfortunately the embassy staff can only see a limited number of people. Sorry in advance.
However, as happens on every visit, people cancel and a few of those on the waiting list do get appointments.

TO JOIN THE EMAIL LIST/WHATSAPP GROUP
To join the Shemesh email list: send an email to: moderators@ shemesh.co.il
To join the Shemesh WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/DgTf4u31RftJ3rEBBNqe04

ADULT PASSPORT RENEWAL- DROPOFF
If you are an adult with a valid passport and wish to renew it, you will NOT need an appointment! There will be a drop-off box for you to drop off your application. Drop it off during the hours the embassy staff is in Beit Shemesh and you're done. More details to follow in a separate email/Facebook and WhatsApp post.

LOCAL RESIDENTS ONLY
Everyone in Beit and Ramat Beit Shemesh is welcome to fill in and submit the registration form. If you get an appointment slot, you will be asked to show proof that you are a Beit/Ramat Beit Shemesh resident. If you are not, the embassy staff will not accept or process your application.

The next email will be sent out Monday at 5pm with the link to the initial registration form.
Shabbat shalom,
Ephraim
usembassyinbeitshemesh@ gmail.com​