PROCESSING CENTER

Applications for Certificates of Lost Passports, Passport Extension and Laissez-Passer/Travel Documents should be sent to:

Embassy of the Republic of Congo
Consulate Section
1720 16th Street, NW
Washington, D.C 20009
Email: consulate@embassyofcongousa.org
Tel: 202 726 5500 / 202 986 5740

Hours of Operation:
Monday Through Friday
Drop off Hours: 10:30 a.m to 12:00 pm
Pick-up Hours: 01:30 pm to 03:30 pm

PROCESSING TIME

The processing time for all consular services requests take up between 5-7 business days. The Consulate of the Republic of Congo in Washington, D.C does not offer any rush or expedited services.

PASSPORT EXTENSION

Since 2015, the Government of the Republic of the Congo has implemented the issuance of the CEMAC biometric passport (Central African Economic and Monetary Community), which is mandatory for all Congolese citizens.

In accordance with Decree No. 2021‑417 of August 16, 2021, the Embassy of the Republic of the Congo in Washington, D.C. now operates a permanent enrollment center for CEMAC passports, serving Congolese nationals residing in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and surrounding areas.

The Consular Section wishes to inform the public that it does not extend the validity of CEMAC passports, nor does it extend the validity of any Congolese biometric passport.

Once a CEMAC passport has expired, a new passport must be obtained either at the Embassy’s enrollment center or directly in the Republic of the Congo.

Congolese citizens living in the United States, Canada, and Mexico whose passports have expired are required to appear in person at the Embassy’s enrollment center to apply for a new biometric CEMAC passport. The requirements regarding the enrollment process at the Enrollment Center in Washington can be found in Communiqué: CEMAC Ordinary Passports, located in the Announcements section.

Those who prefer to complete the renewal process directly in the Republic of the Congo and who do not hold dual nationality must first obtain a Travel Document (Laissez‑Passer) from the Consular Section of the Embassy of the Republic of the Congo in Washington, D.C., prior to departure.

LOST PASSPORT

The Embassy of the Republic of Congo highly encourages its citizens living in Canada, the United States of America and Mexico to inform the authorities at the Embassy if they lose their passport. Notifying the Embassy is very important because it prevents fraudulent use of your passport.

In order to declare a lost Congolese passport and obtain a certificate of lost passport, the applicant must provide the following documents:

• A copy of the lost or stolen passport. The Embassy highly encourages its citizens to always keep a photocopy of their Congolese passport with them ;
• A police report certifying that your passport is lost or was stolen ;
• An official letter addressed to the Ambassador of the Republic of Congo in Washington D.C., in which the applicant informs the Embassy about his lost passport and his intention to apply for a certificate of lost passport.
• Due to some undisclosed reasons, the Embassy of the Republic of Congo to the United States of America is no longer accepting Business checks. The Lost Passport Certificate fees will still remain at 20.00 U.S Dollars. As of August 20th, 2014, only cash (only if physically present) and money orders will be accepted as the only form of payment for Lost Passport Certificate fees.  Furthermore, the money order should be paid to the order of , " Embassy of the Republic of Congo ." All consular services fees are non-refundable. Be aware that the Embassy of the Republic of Congo to the USA does NOT accept Mexican Postal checks under any circumstances.

 

TRAVEL DOCUMENT/LAISSEZ-PASSER

Congolese citizens who wish to travel to the Republic of Congo but whose passports are lost, stolen, or expired, will need to apply for a Travel Document or a Laissez Passer in order to travel. However, it is important to note 3 facts about the Travel Document /Laissez Passer:

1. It is valid only valid for 30 days ( One Month). After 30 days, the Travel Document expires ;
2. It is only valid for the Republic of Congo. No Visa of any country may be stamped on it ;
3. It is a one way Travel Document, meaning that Congolese citizens will have to apply for a new passport while in the Republic of Congo because they will not be able to travel back to the United States of America or Mexico or any other country with a Laissez-Passer or Travel Document.

Applicants must provide the following documents to apply for a travel document/laissez-passer :

• Two colored passport photographs (2*2 inches or 51 *51 mm). It is the same size required for American Passport Photos ;
• A clear photocopy of your previous Congolese passport or a copy of a certified Congolese birth certificate for proof of citizenship ;
• A second readable and colored photocopy of any form of previous or current ID to double check the identity of the Travel Document applicant ( Example: School ID, U.S Green Card, Canadian Permanent Resident Card, Driver's License or Consular Card); Holders of a U.S Green Card, Canadian Permanent Resident Card or Mexican Resident Card are obliged to submit a clear copy of their legal immigration status in their country of residence;
• A clear and readable document that proves the legal status of the Travel Document Laissez Passer applicant in the United States of America or Mexico ( E.g Copy of US Green Card, Copy of USA F1 student Visa, Copy of H1B visa, Copy of G4 Visa, etc)
• A signed and typewritten letter addressed to his H.E Ambassador Serge Mombouli, in which the applicant requests the issuance of a travel document. The letter must bear the applicant's full name, home address, email and a telephone number. Please note that this letter can be written in either French or English ;
• Due to some undisclosed reasons, the Embassy of the Republic of Congo to the United States of America is no longer accepting Business checks. The Laissez Passer fees will still remain at 20.00 U.S Dollars. As of August 20th, 2014, only cash (only if physically present) and money orders will be accepted as the only form of payment for Laissez Passer fees. Furthermore, the money order should be paid to the order of , " Embassy of the Republic of Congo ." Be aware that the Embassy of the Republic of Congo to the USA does NOT accept Canadian or Mexican Postal checks under any circumstances.
• A copy of your flight reservation or itinerary for the Republic of Congo
• A prepaid Fedex, UPS or USPS envelope with a TRACKING NUMBER to return your Travel Document/Laissez Passer. Canadian Prepaid Postal or Mexican Prepaid Postal Envelopes are not accepted.

 

INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS WHO PREFER TO APPLY FOR A CEMAC BIOMETRIC PASSPORT DIRECTLY FROM THE REPUBLIC OF CONGO

All Congolese citizens applying for a CEMAC biometric passport must present themselves physically in the Republic of the Congo. Please note that CEMAC biometric passports are valid for five (5) years and cannot be extended under any circumstances. Once the passport reaches its expiration date, the holder is required to apply for a new CEMAC biometric passport.

Required Documents for a CEMAC Biometric Passport Application in the Republic of the Congo

• Passport application form, obtained at the Office of Emigration at the DGST (Direction Générale de la Surveillance Territoriale).
• Copy of the original Congolese birth certificate.
• 60,000 FCFA (approximately USD $140) for passport application fees.
• Copy of the Congolese nationality certificate or a Congolese national identity card.
• Photocopy of the former Congolese passport, or a photocopy of another passport if applying for Congolese citizenship.
• Document attesting to the applicant’s profession.
• If married: a legalized copy of the marriage certificate.
• Criminal record extract detailing the applicant’s judicial history in the Republic of the Congo or in their country of residence for the past five years.
• Two (2) photographs, format 4 cm × 4 cm, white background, neutral facial expression facing the camera.

 

The Consular Section of the Embassy of the Republic of the Congo in Washington, D.C. strongly encourages all applicants to ensure that every required document listed above is provided. Failure to submit complete and accurate documentation will result in the systematic rejection of the application.