U.S. Embassy Announces Major Updates to Passport and Consular Services in Israel
The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem has announced significant changes to its consular services.
Earlier this week, Paysach Freedman, CEO of Chaim V’Chessed, met with senior Embassy officials, where he learned about upcoming changes aimed at enhancing services for U.S. citizens. Starting November 11, 2024, a new contractor will oversee the Embassy’s consular operations, offering expanded service options and an improved appointment system for those seeking passport, Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) or notarial services.
New Customer Service Locations
To streamline consular processes, in the near future, the Embassy will open new customer service centers in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. These centers will provide free document pickup and drop-off services. Additionally, over 30 premium service locations throughout Israel will offer pickup and drop-off services for a fee, along with a premium delivery option for added convenience.
From December 2 onward, all passport and consular document applications submitted to the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem or the Embassy Branch Office in Tel Aviv must be registered on the Embassy’s new appointment website. Applications sent through Israel Post or Aramex courier services will still be accepted until December 1.
Updated Appointment System Launching November 13
A new online appointment system for all passport, CRBA, and notarial services will go live on November 13, 2024, at 3:00 pm. Applicants will need to use this system to schedule in-person appointments at locations in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Haifa. New appointments will be released each Wednesday between 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm.
The Embassy has confirmed that existing appointments scheduled in the current system will still be valid. However, citizens who cancel any pre-scheduled appointment after November 8 will need to rebook through the new platform.
Emergency Passport Services Unchanged
The Embassy’s procedure for emergency passports remains the same. American citizens facing urgent travel needs can continue to secure walk-in appointments before 8:30 am on regular business days at both the Jerusalem and Tel Aviv locations. Emergency passports, issued with limited validity, are typically available for pickup by the next business day between 2:00 pm and 2:30 pm.
Paysach Freedman shared that over the past year, callers to Chaim V’Chessed have reported considerable improvements in the Embassy’s user experience. While he acknowledges that there may be some difficulties as the new system is implemented, he expressed that, “It is hoped that the new services will further enhance Embassy services for U.S. citizens in Israel.”
Not all details of the new arrangements have been released to the public yet. Chaim V’Chessed’s extensive U.S. Embassy information will be updated as soon as further details of the new rules become available.
Eddie
It would have been helpful to have included the new website address
Elisheva
About time!
The service for citizens abroad in Jerusalem has been bad & slow.
Maybe a replacement of the staff , that are not US citizens, or training as to how to behave , is also necessary.
Maybe things will get better now that there’s a new sheriff in town!
Meir
Yeah those Arabs are horrible
Had such a terrible experience there
Austin Feld
Great help,is there not a phone number to reach them.Want to renew passport but it has not been betokef for a long time,heard need to actually speak to them on the phone,can y’all help
Paula Stern
Try the Tel Aviv office. I’ve been trying for over a year with jerusalem. I sent an email about the passport I paid and filed to renew a year ago and get an automatic response rejecting my email about visas. I never wrote for a visa. I call, they tell me I’m using the wrong number. Horrific service.
Al Raj khan
Where is Emmbesy I am interested in your process
Paula Stern
Wow, this would have been helpful a year ago when I have them my old passport, the forms, the payment and waited for nothing. They don’t answer calls or emails. So sick of trying. Just give me my damn passport or cancel my citizenship. Best to try somewhere other than the Jerusalem location. Lost hours, money. No passport. So upset.
PaulaStern
Paid. Filled out passport renewal over a year ago. Never got my passport back. Tried email. Rejected because they don’t take visa related emails… mine was about passports not visas. Tried calling. Horrific service. Just want me passport or cancel my citizenship. Hate dealing with jerusalem site. Don’t have time to keep trying. Staff uncooperative so fine see how this will help- try Tel Aviv
Charlotte Mecklenburg
I have two email addresses I usually use this one. So I cant seem to satisfy the sign up with the Ccv on the back of my card. I got a call from Tel Aviv but I do not understand HEBEW well enough to unseat and who it was and what they wanted I didnt hear the word Leumi.
So I will just quit trying to get an answer to my question for the U.S, Embassy.