Whether you need a new passport or lost an old one, the Consulate can help. Please check the Jurisdiction guidelines first to verify that your state of residence falls under the Consulate General of Lebanon in Los Angeles.
All passport applications should be submitted three months ahead of the current passport’s expiration date. The Consulate is not responsible for travel delays or immigration issues resulting from personal negligence. Due to high demand, please read this page thoroughly; remaining questions should be emailed to Info@lebanonconsulatela.org.
Important announcement (as of June 1, 2023)
The General Directorate of General Security is out of stock of machine-readable passports (2003 type); applications for granting or replacing machine-readable passports can no longer be accepted at Lebanese missions abroad. Biometric passports have a chip and their numbers are preceded by LR; machine-readable passports (navy blue) have numbers preceded by RL.
- Replacement biometric passports can be issued at the Consulate only to those who previously obtained a biometric passport (fingerprints and photo are archived in General Security’s database in Lebanon) — with the exception of citizens under 16 or over 59, who may apply for a first biometric passport at the Consulate without traveling to Lebanon.
- Citizens aged 16–59 holding a machine-readable passport (RL, navy blue) may receive a one-time exceptional renewal by signing an affidavit committing to: (1) apply for and obtain a new biometric passport from the Directorate of General Security during travel to Lebanon within one year of the application date; and (2) acknowledge the renewal is one-time only — the passport cannot be renewed again afterwards.
Requirements — replacement of a Lebanese passport
The following requirements may be completed by mail or in person at the Consulate:
- A completed new passport application (plus a parental consent form for minors).
- Two recent passport pictures (35–45 mm) showing full details of the face on a white background (dimensions can be adjusted at the Consulate).
- Original passport and 2 copies of the passport’s first page.
- Two copies of the Lebanese ID (بطاقة الهوية) or two copies of the individual registry (إخراج قيد فردي). For minors, a family registry (إخراج قيد عائلي) is required.
- One copy of the applicant’s visa or US identity card.
- A money order payable to “Consulate General of Lebanon in LA” (see fees below).
- ONE pre-paid trackable self-addressed envelope from USPS (United States Postal Service only), large enough to hold your documents without folding (9×12″ or larger). In-person applicants can skip this step.
- Printed DHL file (only if you pick the express service).
Passport fees
- $300 — 5-year biometric for minors (replacing a biometric passport, or a machine-readable passport, for applicants under 16)
- $600 — 10-year biometric for adults (replacing a biometric passport, or a machine-readable passport, for applicants over 59)
- $60 — 1-year exceptional renewal of a machine-readable passport (ages 16–59)
Mail your application to
Consulate General of Lebanon, Los Angeles
Attention: Passport Department
811 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 1800
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Once the required documents are received, the Consulate will mail out forms within 3–5 business days using your self-return envelope. Lost passport: submit the same documents plus a police report stating how the passport was lost, and a copy of the lost passport if available.
Two ways to receive your passport
Diplomatic pouch: applications are sent to Lebanon by diplomatic pouch and returned the same way — usually up to three months from the day the application is sent to Lebanon. Status cannot be tracked; once the Consulate receives your passport, you will be notified. Not recommended if you are in a rush, and once sent to Lebanon the process cannot be reversed.
Express service (DHL FastTrack): the General Directorate of General Security has permitted DHL’s FastTrack service to expedite delivery. It is optional, at the applicant’s expense (approximately $91), via fasttracklb.dhl.com. It takes around 4–8 weeks from the day the application is sent to Lebanon (not from the day you mail your initial documents).
- Payment can only be made online through the DHL website (the Consulate cannot take DHL payment).
- Pick the right country and mission, then choose Main Menu → Passport (Round trip) for Lebanese, or Travel Document (Round trip) for Palestinian travel documents.
- If more than one applicant is applying, click “add applicant” on the DHL application page.
- If you receive an “invalid document type” payment error, contact your bank and try clearing your browser cookies — it is an international transaction and cards are sometimes rejected. Use the card’s billing address, not the Consulate’s. The website is controlled by DHL, not the Consulate.
- After payment, print the DHL PDF and mail it with your completed application file. Without the DHL PDF, your application will be sent by diplomatic pouch instead.
- DHL emails you updates when the application is sent to Lebanon and when it returns. Please check your email rather than contacting the Consulate for DHL shipment updates.
- Once DHL confirms your passport has been delivered back from Lebanon, allow 3 working days for processing before it is forwarded to your address.
- For refunds (application error after payment or any other reason), use the DHL web page to request a refund.
Frequently asked questions
I am traveling to Lebanon in one week and don’t have time to apply. Am I eligible for a handwritten renewal?
Handwritten renewals can no longer be done. All Lebanese citizens are advised to apply for a new passport three months prior to their passport’s expiration.
My tracking shows my first-step documents were delivered. When should I expect the application?
Allow roughly 5 business days after your documents reach the Consulate for your forms to be mailed back in your return envelope. Continue checking your return label’s tracking about 5 business days after delivery.
I sent my application via DHL over 5 weeks ago and tracking shows it is still in Lebanon. What should I do?
In rare cases passports are delayed in Lebanon. General Security processes DHL passports as a priority. Keep checking your email for DHL updates — the Consulate cannot provide passport status updates.
DHL says my passport was delivered to the mission. What next?
All passports received from Lebanon must be registered first; allow 3 working days before it is forwarded to your address, and keep tracking your self-return envelope. If you already sent your old passport plus 2 return envelopes, no further steps are needed — the old passport is cancelled and mailed back with the new one. Otherwise, mail your old passport and a second return envelope once DHL confirms delivery; a new passport cannot be released without cancelling the old one.
Will my application be processed faster if I come in person?
Yes. No notary trip is required and the application is filled out on the spot, saving you the mail time as well.
I live in a state outside your jurisdiction. Can I still apply through another mission?
No, unless the head of the Consulate General in your own jurisdiction is on leave and unavailable to sign.
I can’t reach other consulates in the US. What should I do?
We recommend emailing them, as we cannot contact them on your behalf. For complaints you can email info@lebanonembassyus.org.
How do I know if my passport is biometric?
Machine-readable (navy blue) passport numbers are preceded by RL. Biometric passports have a chip (visible outside) and numbers preceded by LR.
I can’t find a notary public to notarize my documents.
In rare situations a notary may not accept your documents. It is up to you to find a notary public in your area; the Consulate cannot recommend one.
Is a biometric passport mandatory?
No. Navy blue machine-readable passports are still valid and accepted at all airports.
Can I request the Lebanese ID (بطاقة الهوية) through the Consulate?
No — applying for the Lebanese ID can only be done in Lebanon.
My tracking number isn’t updating. What should I do?
Contact the carrier company; the Consulate cannot track undelivered packages.
Can I send a non-trackable envelope (stamps only)?
Yes, but the Consulate is not responsible for any missing package.
I need my current passport back while my application is processing. Is that possible?
It is recommended to leave it at the Consulate, since it must be cancelled when the new passport arrives from Lebanon. However, you may include a note requesting it back and it will be returned — it will still have to be cancelled before the new passport is handed to you.