A passport is a document used to verify the holder’s country of citizenship. It is important to have a passport when leaving the country to regain entry. The validity of a Ghanaian passport is ten years, which means that if you’ve had your passport for almost ten years, you should start preparing to renew it. Do you want to know how to renew your Ghanaian passport in the United States?
Renewal of a passport issued by the Republic of Ghana can be done even if you are not in your home country. So if you are in the United States and planning to return to Ghana, you can still renew your passport while in the United States.
To renew your passport in the United States, you can either visit a Ghanaian embassy in the United States in person or send the application by mail. However, forms, costs and application procedures are always the same for both.
What are the requirements?
If you find that there are about nine months left before your passport expires, you may need to consider an extension. This is just a precaution, also because some countries will only allow you entry if your passport is still valid for up to six months after your trip.
If you want to renew your passport, the most common way is to visit a Ghanaian embassy for passport renewal. You will receive the right support throughout the process. However, if you cannot make it to the embassy, you can complete the entire process online and receive it in the mail.
To renew your passport, you first have to ensure that you have the following:
- Your most recent passport.
- Four identical passport-sized photos.
- An application/ processing fee of 110 US dollars.
- Documents to support identity (National Identification Card or a driver’s license).
- If you have changed your name between passports, you will include legal documents establishing the change.
The application process
After ensuring that you meet all of the requirements, you can now go ahead and begin the application process. The process is pretty straightforward and includes the following steps:
- Download the application form from the Ghana embassy for passport renewal website. If you live in New York, you can get the Ghana passport renewal application form in New York.
- Print the form.
- Complete it with all the relevant details. It requires information about your biography and your parents. You will also have to give names and contacts for two guarantors who can vouch for your identity.
- Attach the necessary documents that will be specified in the form by the Ghana passport office in USA.
- Make the payment. For the current fee, you should check the Ghana consulate in Chicago website or whichever city you live in.
- Send the completed application form and proof of payment. You could choose to mail it to the embassy by mail or physically.
Do you need to book an appointment?
If you are worried about a passport renewal appointment for an interview, then you do not need to. The passport renewal process does not require an interview. After you complete the application process, you will receive your passport in around four to ten weeks, either physically or in the mail.
Remember to renew your Ghanaian passport in the USA as soon as it expires, or even before. Failure to do so could result in grievous consequences like being unable to travel out of or back into your home country. You can complete the renewal process whether you are in your home country or not.
All applicants and official visitors alike would be required to wear face masks and have their own hand sanitizers before they are allowed entry into a PAC.