Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What services are provided by the Consulate?

A: Consulate services include: the issuance of travel documents such as passports and travel certificates, as well as the issuance of travel documents for the shipment of human remains from the United States to Bosnia and Herzegovina.  The verification of signatures on various documents (statements, birth certificates, power of attorney, hereditary statements), verification of photocopies, issuance of various certificates, and declaring passports invalid. The verification of signatures on the application for citizenship of BiH and for discharge from citizenship of BiH, and the declaration of abandonment of citizenship for persons who apply for citizenship of a country outside former Yugoslavia.  Drafting of a consular will and testament, and issuance of visas for foreigners who are currently living in the United States and posses passports of countries that require visas for entrance to BiH. In addition there are: requests for determining an individual personal identification number for BiH citizens who reside abroad, registration of birth of children, registration of marriage, and registration of death, as well as the  consideration of applications and other submissions.   Consulate services also include visits to our citizens who are detained, providing legal assistance,  and visits to patients that express an explicit request.

Q: What type of assistance can the Consulate provide?

A: In case of loss/theft of your documents:

Along with informing appropriate police officials of the incident, the consulate can:

1. Issue a travel certificate to return to Bosnia and Herzegovina,

or

2. If it meets the conditions prescribed by law, can issue a new passport.

In cases of arrest or imprisonment:

Upon receiving notification that you have been arressted/imprisoned, a Consulate official will be able to inform the local authorities that you are under consular protection of BiH, and ask to be briefed on the grounds of your arrest and request the permission to visit you. Also, the consulate can verify the conditions under which you were imprisoned and whether they are in accordance with local laws. The consular official may, at your request, obtain a list of lawyers who  are able to defend you and for which you will be financially responsible.

In cases of illness:

If you require assistance, a consulate official is able to find appropriate health care facilities for which you will be financially responsible.

In cases of serious misfortune:

The consular official shall, through the authorized officials inform your family. At the request of the family, the official will discuss the continuation of hospitalization (costs at your expense).

In cases of death:

The consular official will inform the family. At the request of the family, the consular official can familiarize you with the legal formalities associated with the shipment to a country or the burial of human remains, costs at the expense of the family or insurance of the deceased.

In case of different problems:

Along with the local authorities, the consular official can advise you and obtain useful addresses (lawyers, translators, etc.)

Q: What type of assistance is the consulate unable to provide?

A: The consulate cannot provide consular protection if you have a citizenship of the country where you reside, and it is also unable to intervene in court proceedings in order to achieve your release if you have committed a criminal offense within the country's territory. It is unable to pay fines, hotel bills, hospital expenses or any other of your costs.  The consulate does not replace travel agencies, banking institutions or insurance companies.

Q: How long does it take to obtain a new passport of Bosnia and Herzegovina?

A: For citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina residing abroad, by law, it takes up to 60 days after receiving the appropriate documents and the acquisition of biometric data to issue a passport. Those who do not have a valid identification card issued in Bosnia and Herzegovina by the CIPS program (implemented post-2003) have to document their personal identification number (JMB).

Q: What does it mean to “document your personal identification number”?

A: In 2003 an electronic database was created in Bosnia and Herzegovina (the CIPS database).  In order to “document your personal identification number”, it is necessary to have your personal information entered into the CIPS database.  This is also necessary in order to have biometric data taken for the issuance of the new passport.

Q: How do you document your personal identification number (JMB)?

A: The process of documenting your personal identification number is done by the Consulate General of Bosnia and Herzegovina by submitting the following documents:

1.      The original birth certificate (cannot be older than 6 months)

2.      The original certificate of citizenship (cannot be older than 6 months)

3.      The completed JMB-7 form  for documenting existing personal identification numbers

4.     A copy of a passport of Bosnia and Herzegovina (it is not necessary to send the original passport)

Q: My passport expires soon, when should I submit my documents for the issuance of a new passport?

A: Given that the legal deadline for issuing passports in the United States is 60 days, we recommend that you submit the appropriate request form, entitled „the request for a passport” on our website, at least three months prior to the expiration date of your current passport. If you do not have a valid identity card from BiH issued after 2003, it is necessary to first document your personal identification number (JMB).

Q: I am returning to Bosnia and Herzegovina permanently, what is required to ship my belongings from the United States to Bosnia and Herzegovina?

A: Our consulate issues a certificate of residency for our citizens who have resided in the United States for more than 12 months, and who wish to import their belongings to Bosnia and Herzegovina in order to avoid paying customs duties. Goods exempt from paying customs duties are: personal property, personal baggage, and cargo of non-commercial character (only intended for personal use of members of the family or for gifts), which the returnees have owned longer than six months. For detailed information, see the section "Certificate of residency in the United States" where you can find instructions on how to acquire a certificate of residency.

Q: How is the verification of a signature on a travel document done?

A: During the signature verification of any document (power of attorney, consent, statement, household list, birth certificate, hereditary statement, etc.) the signature is previously determined on the basis of a valid passport of Bosnia and Herzegovina. A person shall sign a document and will deposit their signature in the book of authentication in the Consulate General in Chicago. However, because of the large jurisdiction of our Consulate and the costs related to the arrival of our citizens in Chicago, an exception can be made in order to meet the needs of our citizens. A signature, that has been previously certified by a public notary, will be accepted with the submission of the 2nd and 3rd page of a valid passport of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the General Consulate.

Q: What is needed for the transfer of human remains from the United States to Bosnia and Herzegovina?

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Q: What is required to register children in the database in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

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Q: What is required to record a marriage that took place in the United States?

A: (...Answer)