OFFICE LOCATIONS
MILITARY PERSONNEL SECTION/PASSPORTS | GEILENKIRCHEN (GK)
Primary: 0049-245-191-51-4070
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
| Tuesday | 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
| Thursday | 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
| Friday | 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. |
| Saturday | Closed |
Building: 88
Lilienthalallee 100
Geilenkirchen, 52511
NOTICE: DSN: : 314-458-4070
PASSPORTS | BRUSSELS
Primary: 0032-22-80-9847
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
| Thursday | Closed |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | Closed |
Building: 4
Leuvensesteenweg 13
Zaventem, 1932
NOTICE: DSN: 314-597-9847
PASSPORTS | SHAPE
Primary: 0032-65-75-7489
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
| Tuesday | 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
| Thursday | 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. |
| Friday | 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
| Saturday | Closed |
Building: 253
Rue Grande
Mons, 7010
NOTICE: DSN: 314-597-7489 Closed daily 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
TRAVELING TO/FROM EUROPE
All U.S. personnel, including dependents, must have valid official AND tourist passports when moving to Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. It is the person's responsibility to keep their passports valid during their tour.
Prior to moving to USAG Benelux, personnel must ensure that their dependents and them have valid official ("no-fee") passports. Personnel should contact the passport agent at their current duty station on the application process. Please note that official passports are valid for five years and must be renewed if personnel are on official travel orders.
To travel around Europe and other continents, U.S. personnel and their dependents also must carry a valid tourist ("blue book") passport with them at all times. Tourist passports are valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors age 16 and under, and personnel can renew their passports at the U.S. Community Services Center (SHAPE Bldg. 253) in Belgium and Central Processing Facility (Brunssum Bldg. 8, Room N109) in The Netherlands.
TRAVEL
U.S. personnel with security clearances are required to submit a foreign travel verification form when leaving their country of assignment. When making travel plans, please refer to the DOD Foreign Clearance Guide ✪ on the travel requirements for the destination country. For questions, please contact the Security Office.
U.S. personnel are also encouraged to sign up for the U.S. State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
THE SCHENGEN BORDERS AGREEMENT
The countries in USAG Benelux are in the Schengen Borders Agreement, which permits citizens from certain countries, including the U.S., to travel to 26 European countries within the Schengen area for up three months for tourism or business. For more information on the Schengen Borders Agreement, visit the U.S. State Department website.
To enter countries in the Schengen area, U.S. citizens must have a passport valid for at least 90 days beyond their intended date of departure from the Schengen area. This means that U.S. personnel should renew their passports at least four months before the expiration date to ensure no issues when traveling.
PASSPORT TYPES
"NO-FEE"/OFFICIAL PASSPORTS
Also known as the no-fee or special issuance passport, official passports are issued by specialized passport offices, such as those on military installations. Official passports allow eligible individuals to sidestep the lengthier tourist application process and receive the document free of charge. They are issued -- with necessary visas -- to personnel traveling in an official government capacity to a foreign country and are valid for five years.
SHAPE AND CHIÈVRES PERSONNEL
The USAG Benelux Central Processing Facility has a no-fee passport agent at Building 253 on SHAPE. If you need an appointment, please call DSN 314-366-6294 or Civilian +32 65 32 6294.
Frequently Asked Questions
WHO NEEDS IT?
All U.S. citizens,including DOD civilians, contractors and authorized command-sponsored family members, must have a no-fee passport for overseas permanent changes of station,temporary duty assignments and missions. Each U.S. citizen accompanying the sponsor and listed on official orders -- even infants -- must have a no-fee passport. Non U.S. citizens must acquire passports from their countries’ nearest embassies or consulates. Service members are only issued official passports for missions to countries that do not accept orders as an authorized travel document.
WHAT ARE THEY FOR?
No-fee passports for overseas assignments and relocation may have a Status of Forces Agreement, or SOFA, stamp. SOFA stamps exempt eligible DOD personnel from visa limits and ensure they benefit from U.S. Customs subsidies.
WHEN DO I USE IT?
No-fee passports are for“discharge of official duty” only and “when entering or exiting the country of assignment abroad,” according to the U.S. State Department. U.S. civilians and eligible family members stationed overseas should only use their no-fee passports to enter and exit the country of assignment -- regardless of the purpose of travel. No-fee passports can also be used for travel to, from and within the U.S. and as a supporting or secondary form of identification during international travel.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
No-fee passports are just that: free.
WHEN DO I NEED TO APPLY?
Apply at least four days before the passport is needed for travel. No-fee passports can be renewed seven to 12 months before they expire. Non-emergency issuance for no-fee passport applications and renewals can take up to 30 days to process.
If you are MOVING TO U.S. Army Garrison Benelux, please contact the passport agent at your current duty station as soon as possible to ensure your family members and you have the official passport before travel.
If you are currently stationed at U.S. Army Garrison Benelux and need your official passport renewed, please contact the passport agent at your location.
TOURIST PASSPORTS
Tourist passports, also known as "blue book" passports, are required for international leisure, private business and personal travel. They act as proof of citizenship and establish travel status through visa stamps. Tourist passports are generally accompanied by a fee and have a significantly longer processing time. Here’s the good news: adult tourist passports are valid for 10 years. Tourist passports for minors, or anyone under 16, are valid for five years.
U.S. Tourist Passports may be issued and renewed at your nearest U.S. Consulate:
Frequently Asked Questions
WHO NEEDS IT?
Any person -- regardless of citizenship -- with plans for a personal trip across the border must have a tourist passport. U.S. tourist passports are only issued to U.S. citizens. In addition, U.S. minors must have both parents present to co-sign paperwork to receive a tourist passport. Non U.S.citizens must obtain passports from their countries’ nearest embassy or consulate.
WHAT IS IT USED FOR?
Tourist passports identify nationality and verify travel status through affiliated visas and travel stamps. These documents also serve as official international photo identification and are required for both entry into foreign countries and reentry into their country of citizenship. For more on visa and entry requirements for other nations, see the State Department’s country-specific breakdown.
WHEN DO I USE IT?
DOD personnel stationed overseas must use a tourist passport to enter and exit countries outside country of assignment or the U.S. for personal travel. A family stationed overseas and vacationing in Germany, for example, would use their tourist passports at the German border upon entering and exiting and their no-fee passports to re-enter Belgium. In fact, both the U.S. State Department and DOD recommend traveling with both documents. U.S. tourist passports are also accepted forms of identification for travel within the U.S.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
The current fee chart is located HERE.
WHEN DO I NEED TO APPLY?
The State Department suggests applying for a tourist passport at least six weeks prior to international travel. Keep in mind,however, that overseas processing can take anywhere from eight to 12 weeks. The open renewal period for tourist passports is anywhere from two to four weeks before the document expires.
HOW DO I APPLY FOR A TOURIST PASSPORT?
Applicants will need to fill out the DS-11 Form.Applicants must complete online and print but DO NOT SIGN until they are in front of the agent. The DS-11 needs to be typed or handwritten and free of errors (no white-out or scratch outs). Before printing, make sure it is corrector you will have to start over from the beginning. Print pages 5 to 6 only.
WHAT ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS DO I NEED FOR MY APPLICATION?
1st Time Tourist Passport – Applicants Age 16 and Older
- Passport Photo – No more than 6 months old (5cm x 5cm) without glasses.
- Money Order from the U.S. Post Office.
- Birth Certificate – Must be an original with a stamp or seal. It cannot be a copy. If you do not have an original birth certificate in your possession, you may be able to order one from VitalChek. This will be forwarded with the application, and the original will be returned by the Embassy.
- Valid Photo ID.
1st Time Tourist Passport - Applicants Under Age 16
- Passport Photo – No more than 6 months old (5cm x 5cm) without glasses.
- Money Order from the U.S. Post Office.
- Birth Certificate – Must be an original with a stamp or seal. It cannot be a copy. If you do not have an original birth certificate in your possession, you may be able to order one from VitalChek. This will be forwarded with the application, and the original will be returned by the Embassy.
- Valid Photo ID.