Passports

Correcting Information in your U.S. Passport/ Adding Visa Pages 

Effective September 26, 2005, as an additional fraud prevention measure, Passport Services will no longer amend currently valid passports.  Instead, customers will be issued replacement passports. 

Please note that all corrections and extra pages are processed at the Embassy in Bern. You cannot send your application to the U.S.  You need to complete the appropriate form and send it to the U.S. Embassy in Bern, together with a self-addressed stamped return envelope and supporting documents, if applicable.  Please do not send anything to any address listed on the application form. Please note that all service is expedited for U.S. citizens overseas.

To add visa pages to your passport, please click here for information and application form.

To make corrections (change name, correct data etc.), please click here for information and application form. In order to change the name in your passport you must submit pertinent documentary evidence such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order or other legal document reflecting the name change, in original.  Passport corrections can only be processed within one year of passport issuance without charge.  If your passport was issued more than one year ago, please apply for a new passport using the appropriate application form and paying the pertinent fee.

If you prefer not to mail your passport, can't manage without it for a few days, and need extra pages urgently, you can usually obtain the service the same day if you go to the U.S. Embassy in Bern.  Please see above for application forms and instructions. 

All new passports are printed in the United States; consequently, the turnaround time for no-fee passport corrections and new full-fee passports is approximately 2 weeks.  If you wish to retain the current passport during processing time, it is advisable to present the application form, photos and the passport in person at the Embassy or the U.S. Consular Agencies in Geneva and Zurich.  Upon receipt of the new passport by the Embassy, you will be notified accordingly and asked to hand in/mail in the current passport for cancellation before the new document can be given/sent to you.