Effective immediately all applicants for U.S. citizen services at the U.S. Consulate General in Amsterdam must bring sufficient postage to cover the return shipment of any documents related to the requested service. Passport and citizenship documents contain sensitive information and are difficult to replace. We strongly recommend all applicants procure a registered mail sticker from the Dutch mail service (PostNL) to allow for tracking of your documents.
The only acceptable PostNL registered mail stickers are the so-called “Barcode Labels” in white, green, and orange that are available only at PostNL shops in the Netherlands. (While Post NL offers a range of registered mail labels that can be printed online, these labels expire within 5 days of issuance. Because our processing time exceeds 5 days, these labels cannot be accepted.) A list of PostNL locations can be found at https://www.postnl.nl/en/location-finder
The U.S. Consulate General in Amsterdam continues to operate with limited staffing. Social distancing and other measures required to fight the spread of COVID-19 limit the number of customers we can serve daily. Applicants who arrive at their appointment unprepared (without the required forms, photo, envelope, postage, etc.) can negatively impact our ability to provide services to other customers. Therefore, applicants who do not bring sufficient postage to their appointment will be asked to reschedule.
Below is the list of services we provide and instructions regarding postage for that service. Please review it carefully. We have also provided this information on our website at https://nl.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/
Passport Services
Applicants must bring one registered PostNL mail sticker per passport. If you are also applying for a passport card you will need two envelopes and two registered PostNL mail stickers. Alternatively, you may bring five PostNL “1” regular stamps per envelope to cover the shipment costs. Please note that passports shipped via regular mail cannot be tracked and the Consulate General cannot be held responsible for the loss of any items in the Dutch mail system.
The envelope size we require is an A5 (C5) size envelope (approx. 23 x 16 centimeters). You may also bring a padded or fortified envelope, but it may not exceed these dimensions.
Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (CRBA)
One registered PostNL mail sticker is required per CRBA & passport application. Alternatively, you may bring five PostNL “1” regular stamps per envelope to cover the shipment costs.
The envelope size we require is an A4 (±23 x 33 centimeter) sized envelope. Padded or otherwise fortified envelopes are also acceptable so long as they do not exceed these dimensions. Please note that passports shipped via regular mail cannot be tracked and the Consulate General cannot be held responsible for the loss of any items in the Dutch mail system.
Note that that the envelope and postage are to be brought to your in-person appointment at the Consulate General. Please do not send the envelope along with the application.
Certificate of Loss of Nationality (CLN)
One registered PostNL mail sticker is required for the shipment of the Certificate of Loss of Nationality and accompanying documents. Alternatively, you may bring five PostNL “1” regular stamps per envelope to cover the shipment costs. There is no need to provide an envelope.
Need to contact us with additional questions? Check out our COVID-19 FAQs for U.S. citizens for answers to the most common COVID-19 related questions. For all emergency American Citizens Services, please visit our website for additional information or any questions not addressed on our website contact us via email at AmsterdamUSC@state.gov.
Assistance:
U.S. Consulate General Amsterdam
+(31) (0) 70 310 2209
AmsterdamUSC@state.gov
https://nl.usembassy.gov/
Department of State – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
Netherlands Country Information.
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