Lebanese General Security

The General Directorate of General Security announces that Lebanese citizens residing abroad are now permitted to submit first-time applications for biometric passports, provided that all required supporting documents are attached.

This service has been launched at the Lebanese Embassy in Kuwait and will be gradually introduced at the remaining Lebanese diplomatic missions abroad.

Case	Required Documents	Remarks
Replacement of a Biometric Passport	• Passport application submitted through the Lebanese mission abroad.• The biometric passport to be replaced if it has expired (if still valid, it remains with the applicant and will be cancelled by the mission upon delivery of the new passport).• A colored copy of the passport identity page and additional information page (pages 2 and 3).• One passport-size photograph with a white background, certified by the mission.• A Lebanese Identity Card (regardless of the date of issue) or an Individual Civil Status Record (regardless of the date of issue).	The information on the passport to be replaced must match the Identity Card or the Individual Civil Status Record. In case of any discrepancy, a new Individual Civil Status Record issued within the last 3 months is mandatory.
First-Time Biometric Passport Application (Applicant Holds a Previous Model 2003 Passport)	• Passport application submitted through the Lebanese mission abroad.• The previous passport if expired (if still valid, it remains with the applicant and will be cancelled by the mission upon delivery of the new passport), together with a colored copy of the identity page (page 2).• One passport-size photograph with a white background, certified by the mission.One of the following:• A Lebanese Identity Card issued within the last 10 years and an Individual Civil Status Record issued within the last 3 years.Or:• A Lebanese Identity Card issued within the last 10 years and a certified colored copy of the residence permit abroad (or a colored copy of the foreign passport).Or:• An Individual Civil Status Record issued within the last 3 years and a certified colored copy of the residence permit abroad (or a colored copy of the foreign passport).	The photograph and personal details must match those on the previous passport, Identity Card, Individual Civil Status Record, and residence permit (or foreign passport). In case of any discrepancy, a new Individual Civil Status Record and a new Family Civil Status Record, both issued within the last 3 months, are mandatory.
First-Time Biometric Passport Application (Applicant Does Not Hold a Previous Model 2003 Passport)	• Passport application submitted through the Lebanese mission abroad.• Application for an administrative Individual Civil Status Record submitted through the Lebanese mission abroad.• One passport-size photograph with a white background, certified by the mission.One of the following:• A Family Civil Status Record issued within the last 3 months and a certified colored copy of the residence permit abroad (or a colored copy of the foreign passport).Or:• A Lebanese Identity Card issued within the last 10 years and a certified colored copy of the residence permit abroad (or a colored copy of the foreign passport).	The photograph and personal details must match those on the Identity Card, Individual Civil Status Record, and residence permit (or foreign passport).

General Provisions

If the applicant for a biometric passport (whether applying for the first time or requesting a replacement) is a minor, the following requirements apply in addition to the documents listed in the attached table:

* The consent and signatures of both parents are mandatory on the application for any minor under the age of 18. Both signatures must be provided before the Head of Mission, who shall certify them.

* In the event of the death of one or both parents, divorce, or abandonment, the authority to grant travel consent and sign the application rests with the legal guardian in accordance with Lebanese law, or with a legal representative holding an explicit power of attorney for this purpose, or with the person having legal custody. Where applicable, the signature of the person holding visitation rights is also required, based on a court judgment certified by the competent authority and issued no more than one year prior to the application date.

* If any person entitled to sign the application is unable to appear in person for any reason, a power of attorney or travel authorization must be submitted. It must be certified by the Lebanese diplomatic mission abroad, or, in countries where Lebanon has no diplomatic representation, executed before the competent notary public and authenticated by the relevant local authority. The document must expressly authorize the issuance of a passport for the minor. Alternatively, a power of attorney executed in Lebanon before a notary public and duly authenticated by both the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants may be submitted.

* A travel authorization is valid for three months.

* A general or special power of attorney is valid for one year.

* A minor born after the date on which the power of attorney was executed shall not be covered by it unless the document expressly states otherwise.

* Married, widowed, or divorced minors are not required to obtain travel authorization.

* If, upon replacement of a passport, it is found that a court judgment has ordered amendments to the holder's civil status or identity records, the applicant must submit a duly certified copy of that court judgment.

* If the applicant is subject to a judicial restriction or travel ban, only a laissez-passer valid for return to Lebanon will be issued.

* If no identification document containing a photographic image is available for a minor under the age of three, a certificate issued by the Head of Mission confirming the authenticity of the submitted photograph must be provided.

G.S. Addresses