Other Services

Courier Services Used by the American Citizen Services Unit of the Consulate General

Due to the need to ensure vital documents are delivered securely, the American Citizen Services Unit of the Consulate General uses two courier services to return passports, consular reports of birth abroad, and other vital documents.  The Consulate no longer accepts self-addressed, stamped, registered-mail envelopes for in-person services. (By the end of 2009, the Consulate plans to phase out its use of registered mail for mail-in passport renewals as well.)

The Consulate uses both Shaal and Aramex, depending on where the applicant resides in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza.

• Shaal.  There is a Shaal booth in the Consulate building where the American Citizen Services Unit is located.  People using Shaal must purchase a Sha'al envelope from this booth.  Shaal will either deliver to the home at a cost of 45 shekels within Jerusalem, or call to arrange pick-up from their offices for 30 shekels.  
  
  
• Aramex.  If you opt for delivery through Aramex, you will receive an Aramex envelope from the consular assistant at the window when you apply for your service.  You will be asked to fill out the envelope and hand it back to the assistant.  Aramex will call you when they receive the documents from the Consulate.  The fee is 60 shekels, payable upon pick-up from the nearest Aramex office.
  
  
• Mail-in services.  In certain cases, applicants can now send in passport renewal applications (the DS-82 form, the expired/expiring passport and the fee) through Shaal or Aramex.  For a flat fee these courier services will collect the documents, deliver them to us for processing and then return the new passport back to the applicant.

For the latest update on using courier services for mail-in passport renewals, please contact JerusalemACS@state.gov.