Passport

PROCEDURE FOR ISSUING BIH PASSPORTS

We would like to inform the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) that the new system of issuing passports is no longer done by mail. In order to get a new BiH passport, it is necessary to acquire your biometric data (i.e picture, fingerprints and an electronic signature). The acquisition of biometric data is done by the staff of the General Consulate of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Chicago.

All BiH citizens who file a request for a passport need to have a documented personal identification number (JMB) in the electronic database of Bosnia and Herzegovina. (NOTE Upon receiving your request for a passport, our office will verify your personal identification number.)

This being said, the first step for documenting a request for a passport is getting your personal identification number (JMB) to the staff of the General Consulate of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Chicago. This information can be sent to us via our website, www.cgbhchicago.com by filling out a “Request for a Passport” form, or by fax at 1-312-951-1043.

The citizens of iIH who have a valid identity card issued in BiH after 2003 (through the CIPS program) have their JMB documented in the BiH electronic database.  These citizens need to fill out a “Request for a Passport” form located on our website  and contact our Consulate to make an appointment for the acquisition of biometric data.

The citizens of BiH who do not have a valid identity card issued in BiH after 2003, need to document their JMB. The process of documenting the JMB is done by the General Consulate of Bosnia and Herzegovina by sending the following documents:

1.      A birth certificate (canot be older than 6 months)

2        A certificate of citizenship (cannot be older than 6 months)

3.      A completed JMB-7 form

4.      A copy of an BiH passport

After receiving the above documents, the staff of our Consulate will submit the request for documenting your JMB to your district or township in BiH. (NOTE After the JMB has been documented, we will inform you via phone.) By documenting the JMB you will be able to start the process for obtaining a BiH passport as well as the process in which we acquire your biometric data.

The issued passport is valid for 5 years, while the passports for children younger than 7 years of age are valid for 3 years.  According to the law of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a passport is required to be issued WITHIN 60 DAYS of the acquisition of biometric data.

Reminder for underage persons: For issuing passports to underage persons it is necessary that both parents have their JMB documented in the BiH electronic database. NOTE: It is also necessary that both parents be present for the appointment. If one of the parents is unable to attend the biometric aqcusion appointment, it is necessary that one parent be present with an original passport of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Those receiving any type of government aid have to show proof (Welfare, SSI, Food stamps) so that they can get a discounted price for their passports. (the price with shipping is $120  and for coming in personally is $100)

Money orders need to be payable to the ‘General Consulate of Bosnia and Herzegovina’ along with the full name and the address of the sender.

Given that the fees are determined by the Ministry of Treasury in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and that they fluctuate based on the exchange rate, we ask the citizens to be mindful of the possible changes in fees, and to be informed about the current amount of dues for our services prior to submitting a money order.

When you come in for your previously scheduled appointment for acquisition of your biometric data you will need to bring the following documents:

1.      An original passport of Bosnia and Herzegovina (old unique passport or old passport with the entity markings).  If you have lost your passport, you will first have to report the loss of your travel document to the police of the state you reside in, and then reach out to the General Consulate of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Chicago with a request for the issuance of a new travel document or passport.

1.      A valid identity card issued by the CIPS program after 2003.

2.      A copy of a birth certificate and certificate of citizenship (these can be old documents). If you do not have these documents it is necessary to know the name of your registrar’s office in BiH in which your information is registered (the registrar’s office in which you obtain the birth certificate and certificate of citizenship).

3.      A residence permit (Green Card) or other proof of your legal status in the United States.

5.      A money order for the appropriate amount ( look at the table above for the consular fees).