How do I get a passport if I am deployed in Afghanistan?

by Dustin
(Kandahar, Afghanistan)

Question: I'm currently deployed to Afghanistan, my passport expired in 2003 which was issued when I was a minor. How can I apply for a new passport while I am deployed since I am planning to visit Germany during my R&R? Please help.

Answer: Although you could go to the embassy in Kabul to get a passport (the embassy compound is adjacent to ISAF HQ); passport applications from members of the military can be turned in to military passport acceptance agents. See your PAC or S1 shop, they should be able to help you process your application. Currently, there are military passport agents Kabul, Bagram (BAF), Kandahar (KAF), Phoenix and the Army Corps of Engineers.

The U.S. Embassy in Kabul does not return passports via APO. If you apply through a military acceptance agent, your new passport will be returned to you by the military acceptance agent.

U.S. soldiers can apply in person at the U.S. Passport Services of the Embassy in Kabul. The normal hours of operation are Sunday-Thursday, 8:00 am-4:00 pm; we are closed between 12:00-1:00 pm for lunch.

For routine questions regarding consular services including passports, reports of birth abroad, and other services please call 0700 10 8499.

Note, U.S. citizens arriving in the country via military air usually have considerable difficulties if they choose to depart Afghanistan on commercial air, because their passports are not stamped to show that they entered the country legally. Those coming on military air should move quickly after arrival to legalize their status if there is any chance they will depart the country on anything other than military air.