acs frequently asked questions and answers

Topics:

• Passports and Citizenship
  
  
• Social Security and Federal Benefits
  
  
• Income Tax
  
  
• Customs
  
  
• Other General Questions
  
  

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  PASSPORTS AND CITIZENSHIP

  
  Q: My passport is still valid, but its pages are all fully stamped. Could I have extra pages added to it or should I apply for a new passport?
  
  A: Yes, extra visa pages can be easily added to your passport. You are required to complete an application form and submit it with your passport to the Consular Section of U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby . No fee or new photographs are required (see Application for additional visa pages). Alternatively, if your passport expires in the next few months, you may consider applying for a new passport. If you are a frequent traveler, you may request a 48-page passport in writing with your application at no extra cost.
  
  Q: How soon should I renew my passport before it expires?
  
  A: You may renew your passport any time before or after it expires. Because your passport is required to be valid for at least six (6) months beyond your stay when you travel to certain foreign countries, you may need to renew your passport before it expires. If your passport was issued 15 years or more prior to your application for a new passport, additional forms, supporting documents and fees may be required. Please click here for information and application forms.
  
  Q: My passport has already expired. I do not wish to get a new one. Can my passport be extended?
  
  A: No, if your passport was issued with full validity (i.e. 10 years for adults and five (5) years for minors), you must apply for a new passport. However, if your passport was issued with limited validity due to certain reasons (e.g. as a replacement for a lost/stolen passport), you may apply for extension without charges (unless otherwise stated on the endorsement printed in your passport). Contact the Consular Section for further information.
  
  Q: Where can I obtain passport application forms?
  
  A: All passport application forms can be obtained from the Consular Section of the Embassy in Port Moresby , which will be sent to you upon request. Click here for information and application forms. Please read the conditions before printing the application.
  
  Q: Do I submit my passport application to the passport offices in the United States?
  
  A: No, you should submit your application to the Consular Section of U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby . Your application will then be forwarded to the United States for issuance, which may generally require about 10 days to return your new passport to you, provided your application is all in order. You should include a prepaid self-addressed Registered Post or Express Post Platinum envelope for return of your passports and documents.
  
  Q: Do I need to submit my passport application in person or may I submit it by mail?
  
  A:You may submit your application by mail ONLY if you are eligible to use the APPLICATION FOR A PASSPORT BY MAIL (form DS-82). Click here to check the criteria. If you are applying for your first U.S. Passport and/or must complete an APPLICATION FOR A U.S. PASSPORT (form DS-11), you must submit your application in person at the U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby . However, the Consular Officer will request an interview in person with any applicant when deemed necessary.
  
  Q: Will the passport I have to submit with my application be returned to me? What happens to the foreign visas in my old passport?
  
  A: Yes, your old passport will be cancelled and returned to you with the new passport. You may have to re-apply for your foreign visas previously current in your old passport. Please contact the relevant foreign embassies or consulates for information.
  
  Q: I want to apply for passports for my children. Do I have to bring them to the Embassy for their applications?
  
  A: Yes, unless they are eligible to use the APPLICATION FOR A PASSPORT BY MAIL (form DS-82). Click here to check whether they are eligible to use this form. Otherwise, they must use APPLICATION FOR A U.S. PASSPORT (form DS-11) and sign their applications in the presence of the Consular Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby.
  
  Effective March 26, 2004, children under age 14 must appear in person with their parents to submit their applications for either a first passport or a renewal. Click here for further details.
  
  Q: My children and/or I have both U.S. and Papua New Guinean passports. Can we travel to the United States with only our P.N.G passports and enter on the Visa Waiver Program?
  
  A. No. The U.S. regulations require all U.S. citizens to enter and depart the United States at all times on their valid U.S. passports, regardless of their ages or how many foreign passports one may have. There is no guarantee of entry to the United States without a valid U.S. passport. It would be your decision to travel to a foreign country with either your U.S. or Papua New Guinean passport, however, you must contact the Embassies or Consulates of the foreign countries you intend to travel to for information regarding any visas or entry requirements. You may consult the P.N.G Department of Foreign Affairs and Immigration for the contact information of various Embassies and Consulates.
  
  Q: My child was born in Papua New Guinea. How do I register my child as a U.S. citizen, and obtain a U.S. passport and Social Security number card?
  
  A: There are transmission of citizenship requirements to be met by the U.S. citizen parent(s) before a child can be documented as a U.S. citizen. (see Consular Report Of Birth Abroad). The application for Consular Report of Birth Abroad/Social Security Number (Form DS-2029/SS-5) is not available online and must be obtained from the Consulate General. You may submit this form and the passport application at the same time.
  
  Q: My mother and I were born in Papua New Guinea and my maternal grandfather is a U.S. citizen. Can I obtain U.S. citizenship through him?
  
  A: No, only U.S. citizen parent(s) may transmit citizenship to children, NOT grandparent(s). Therefore, you should first check whether your mother has derivative claim to U.S. citizenship through her father, then your possible claim to citizenship through your mother.
  
  Q: What is the U.S. policy on dual nationality?
  
  A: Consult the U.S. policy on dual nationality.
  
  If you still have passport or citizenship questions, please contact the Consular Section of the Embassy in Port Moresby .
  
  
  

  SOCIAL SECURITY AND FEDERAL BENEFITS

  Social Security Administration: www.ssa.gov
  Veteran Affairs: www.va.gov
  
  Q: How do I apply for a Social Security number?
  
  A: You may contact the Federal Benefits Unit at the Consular Section request the application form and instructions. You may also download the form SS-5 here.
  
  Q: How do I change my name on my Social Security card?
  
  A: You may change your name on your Social Security card by completing application form SS-5 available here and submit it with original name change documents, e.g. marriage certificate or current passport showing the old and new names to the Embassy in Port Moresby .
  
  Q: How can I have my Social Security payments paid to my U.S. bank?
  
  A: You may have your payments paid by direct deposit to your U.S. bank by completing form SSA-1199. Click here to download the form.
  
  Q: I need proof of what I receive from Social Security. What form can I use?
  
  A: You may request a statement of benefits from the Regional Social Security Office at the Embassy in Manila by telephone: 0011-632-522-4716 or by email: SSAD.VARO.MANILA@ssa.gov. You will need to provide your Social Security number and address.
  
  Q: I need an estimate of benefits that I (and my family) may be eligible for now and in the future
  
  A: You may request a Personal Earnings and Benefit Estimate Statement (PEBES) by completing form SSA-7004. Click here to download the form.
  
  Q: Upon my death, will my spouse be paid a benefit?
  
  A: Your surviving spouse may be entitled to receive a payment. Further information concerning surviving spouse entitlement may be obtained from www.va.gov for Veterans benefits, or www.ssa.gov for Social Security benefits.
  
  If you still have Federal Benefits questions, please contact the regional office of the Social Security Administration by email: SSAD.VARO.MANILA@ssa.gov or by telephone: 0011 632 522 4716. For Veterans Administration (VA) questions, please contact the VA by email: VAVBAPIT/RO/FORSINTMAIL@vba.va.gov or by telephone: 0011 1 412 395 6272. Alternatively, you may contact the Consular Section of U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby .
  
  
  

  U.S. INCOME TAX

  U.S. Internal Revenue Service: www.irs.gov
  
  Q: How do I obtain tax forms?
  
  A: The 1040 pack may be downloaded from the IRS website at www.irs.gov or you may forward a stamped, magazine-sized envelope with a written request for the 1040 tax package to the Consular Section in Port Moresby . The approximate weight of the 1040 pack is 400 grams. Please check with your local post office for the correct postal rate.
  
  For forms other than the 1040 pack, please contact the IRS directly
  phone: 0011-1-215-516-2000
  fax: 0011-1-215-516-2555/3256
  or you may download the forms directly from the website at www.irs.gov.
  
  
  Q: What is an Individual Tax Identification Number? How do I apply for it?
  
  A: An Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) is used by persons who are NOT U.S. citizens/nationals or permanent residents (they have Social Security numbers). You may apply for an ITIN by completing a W-7 form and attaching a certified copy of your identification, e.g. current passport. Click here to download the form. For further information, please email ConsularPortMoresby@state.gov
  
  If you still have tax questions, please contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Service Center in Philadelphia on 0011 1 215 516 2000. The Service Center is open 20 hours a day, from 6.00am to 2.00am (U.S. Eastern standard time).
  
  
  

  GENERAL

  Q: How do I obtain a certified copy of my U.S. birth certificate?
  
  A: You may obtain information on how to obtain U.S. birth/marriage/divorce/death certificates by consulting www.vitalchek.com, or U.S. CDC National Center for Health Statistics.
  
  Q. How do I get a copy of my Papua New Guinean birth/death/marriage certificate?
  
  A. Contact the Registrar of Births, Deaths, and Marriages in the state or territory where the event took place.
  
  
  Q: I am currently outside the U.S. How do I register to vote, and where can I obtain an absentee ballot?
  
  A: You may obtain information on how to vote by checking the Federal Voting Assistance Program at www.fvap.gov. Alternatively, you may contact the Consular Section to obtain the necessary voting forms and information.
  
  Q: I am currently residing in Papua New Guinea and my U.S. driver’s license has expired. How can I renew it?
  
  A: The Embassy cannot assist with the renewal of your U.S. driver’s license.
  
  Q: I wish to extend my stay in Papua New Guinea. How can I extend my Papua New Guinean tourist/resident visa?
  
  A: Contact the Papua New Guinean Department of Foreign Affairs and Immigration at telephone: 301-4110/3014196.
  
  Q: How do I obtain up-to-date travel warnings/public announcements about the countries I will be traveling to?
  
  A: The Department of State has current lists of travel warnings/public announcements at www.travel.state.gov.
  
  
  

  CUSTOMS INQUIRIES

  U.S. Customs Service: www.customs.ustreas.gov
  
  Q: I am an Papua New Guinea citizen traveling to the United States. What is my personal exemption?
  
  A: Consult the “Tips for visitors – customs regulations for visitors to the U.S.” at www.customs.ustreas.gov/xp/cgov/import.
  
  Q. Will I have a problem taking my medication into the United States?
  
  A. Consult www.customs.ustreas.gov/xp/cgov/import.
  
  Q. How much alcoholic beverages may I take with me to the United States?
  
  A: Consult www.customs.ustreas.gov/xp/cgov/import.
  
  Q: What are the requirements for taking my pet to United States?
  
  A: Consult www.customs.ustreas.gov/xp/cgov/import.
  
  Q: I am a Papua New Guinea citizen planning a driving holiday in the U.S. for a few months. I wish to buy a car upon arrival there. How do I register and insure the vehicle?
  
  A: Consult www.customs.ustreas.gov/xp/cgov/travel.
  

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