Getting a Replacement Passport at the US Embassy in Santiago, Chile
One of the best first-world problems I’ve had as a digital nomad is finding that my passport was getting too full of stamps. With only a few spots left, and no complete pairs of empty pages for longer-term visas, it was time to get a replacement! Since we’re still traveling, I ended up doing this in Santiago, Chile.
While the whole process was pretty straightforward, knowing a few specific things could have made it a lot easier! I’ll walk you through getting a replacement passport at the Santiago, Chile embassy in this post, and share some tips that will save you time and hassle along the way!
Step 1: Make an Appointment Online (15 minutes)
Head to this link to make your appointment at the US Embassy in Chile. When I went through this process, appointments were available every day, but plan ahead and book in advance to be safe!
Step 2: Print and Scan the Required Documents (up to 2 hours)
As of June 2019, you’ll need to get the following:
Two passport pictures meeting US standards*
A photocopy of the information page of your passport
Your appointment confirmation page
There are several print and copy shops about a block east of the Plaza de Armas. Expect to find ones that can only make copies but not print, or vice versa; we had to visit four different shops before we managed to get everything done.
*Your passport pictures need to meet US, not Chilean, standards. This means they need to be 5x5cm (not the standard size in Chile) and have a white background, among other things. Make sure that the place where you get them understands that you need American passport photos that meet the specific criteria outlined here (this page is in Spanish).
Step 3: Fill out Form DS-82 (up to 30 minutes)
Once you have Form DS-82 printed, fill it out completely. Most parts are pretty straightforward!
As a tourist, the part that might be most confusing is box 8, which asks for your mailing address. This needs to be a local Chilean address, not your home address. Your hotel, Airbnb, or similar address is fine.
Important: make sure that the email address you supply on this form is easy to read and one that you check often. This is where the embassy will let you know when your new passport is ready.
Step 4: Collect Everything Else You’ll Need (up to 15 minutes)
In preparation for your appointment, make sure you have everything you need. In addition to your completed Form DS-82, passport pictures, and passport information page photocopy, you’ll need:
Your most recent US passport
$110 USD in cash (US dollars or the equivalent amount in Chilean pesos) or your own credit card. Note: debit cards are not accepted. Neither are checks.
Optional: self-addressed prepaid DHL airway bill. If you can’t easily return to the embassy to pick up your passport, bring this so that they can mail it to you instead.
Step 5: Go to Your Appointment (time varies, expect traffic!)
The US Embassy in Chile is located at the following address:
Andrés Bello 2800
Las Condes,
Región Metropolitana, Chile
Head to the embassy for your appointment, and make sure you arrive about 15 minutes early. If you’re staying in central Santiago, be aware that the embassy is pretty far away. Especially during commute hours, the traffic can be really bad.
If you have one of the earlier appointments in the day, leave at least twice as long to get to the embassy as you think you should need. (For us, heading there for a 9 AM appointment, Google Maps estimated about 30 minutes. It took almost an hour.)
Step 6: Arrival at the Embassy (around 15 minutes)
Especially early in the morning, a long line forms outside the embassy door. Most of the people in line are Chileans applying for US visas. The embassy only lets one person or group enter at a time.
As a US citizen, you enter in a separate line and do not need to wait in this long line. If there are other US citizens there, you should see a second, much shorter line at the front door. If you don’t see this line, it’s probably because there aren’t any other citizens waiting to enter. Stand by the front door instead of joining the long line, and the next time the door opens, explain that you’re a US citizen with an appointment.
Once you’re inside, you’ll need to pass through a security checkpoint. Be aware that you cannot bring your phone or many other electronic devices inside with you. You’ll need to leave these at the front desk.
Step 7: Go to Your Appointment (around 30 minutes)
Once you’re in the embassy and done with security, exit the security area into the main inner courtyard. Turn right and walk down the length of the courtyard to the doors on the left. Enter these doors, turn left, and enter the next set of doors. You’ll find yourself in a long room.
Passport services are at the far end of this room, so walk down to the end. On your left, you’ll see a couple of staffed desks. Introduce yourself here and explain that you have an appointment for a replacement passport. You’ll get a number, so you can just sit until you’re called.
When it’s your turn, go up to the window where you’re called and provide all of the paperwork you’ve collected. If you’re coming back in person to pick up your replacement passport, you’ll be allowed to keep your current passport until the new one is ready, but they still need to see it at this appointment. Pay the required fee, and you’re done for the day!
Note: make sure to keep the payment receipt that you receive. You’ll need it when you come back to pick up your passport.
Step 8: Wait (2-3 weeks)
Passport processing time varies. For me, it was expected to be about 2 weeks, and ended up taking 12 days.
You’ll be notified by email when your new passport is ready.
Step 9: Collect Your New Passport (around 15 minutes, not including driving time)
When you get your notification email, head back to the embassy. You don’t need an appointment for this, but the hours are pretty limited. Again, you do not need to wait in the long line; just explain at the door that you’re a US citizen picking up a replacement passport.
As of June 2019, pick-up hours for your new passport are 10:45 AM to 12:30 PM, Monday through Friday.
Bring with you:
The receipt you received at your appointment showing that you paid for your new passport
Your current passport (if they didn’t keep it at your first appointment)
A printed copy of the email saying your passport is ready (note: this is officially listed as something you need to bring, but I never needed to show mine)
Go back to the same room where you had your original passport appointment. This time, head to the window immediately to the right of the windows for passport appointments. This one is specifically for picking up passports. (If you can’t find it, ask one of the employees at the desks.)
Provide your receipt, current passport, and printed email (if they ask for it). You’ll be asked to sit down for a couple minutes, then called back up to the window to get your new passport and have the old one cancelled.