Papirex
Sep 8, 2006, 4:13 PM
Post #1 of 7
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I don’t know how I got on The US Consulate in Merida’s mailing list, but lately I have been receiving Warden messages from them. I had registered with The US Embassy in Mexico City. Until lately all the Warden messages I have received have come from Mexico City.
I received this one today. Some of the information may be useful to some members, passport renewals in Merida, Cancun, or Cozumel. There are also many links to both Mexican and US government agencies.
Rex
Greetings from the U.S. Consulate in Merida, Mexico!
We would like to inform all U.S. citizens about the following important topics... 1) New U.S. passport requirement for travel:
The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires that travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States. This is known at the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). For a complete explanation and implementation timeline please visit the following websites:
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html
http://www.dhs.gov/interweb/assetlibrary/OPA_WHTI_basics.pdf
You can apply for or renew your U.S. passport at the U.S. Consulate in Merida, Mexico. In some cases, applicants can submit their applications at the U.S. Consular Agencies in Cancun or Cozumel. To apply in Merida, arrive between 7:30am and 12:30pm (the earlier the better) prepared with proof of U.S. citizenship (original previous passport or original birth certificate), two 5x5 cm photos (color photo with white background), original, government-issued photo ID (for example, a driver license, state ID card, etc.), and payment. Payment is either 67, 82 or 97 USD. For information on which fee will apply to you, please visit http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/get/fees/fees_837.html. Payment at the Consulate can be made by credit card (not debit) or in cash (US dollars or Mexican pesos). If you decide to pay in cash, bring exact change and clean bills (no markings, cuts, etc.) Minors (age 13 and under) should be accompanied by both mother and father. Processing normally takes three weeks or more, so plan ahead. Expedited service is not offered outside of the U.S. The Consulate is closed for U.S. and Mexican holidays. If you have a question about passport application procedures, you can call Merida’s American Citizens Services Unit at 01-999-925-5011, ext. 220 or 230 or send an e-mail to mercons@prodigy.net.mx.
Passport application forms are either the DS-11 or DS-82. To find out which passport application form you need to fill out and do so ahead of time, please visit http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/forms/forms_847.html. Applications are also available at the Consulate. 2) Be prepared for hurricane season!
U.S. citizens considering travel to storm-prone regions during Hurricane Season should carefully weigh the risks versus benefits of their trip before finalizing plans. Those who choose to travel should devise emergency plans in the event of a major storm. Even inland areas, well away from the coastline, can experience destructive winds, tornadoes, and floods from tropical storms and hurricanes.
Consulate Merida’s district is composed of the Mexican states of Yucatan, Quintana Roo, and Campeche.
The state of Yucatan, Mexico designates hurricane season as June 1 to November 30. For more information, please visit www.yucatan.gob.mx (“Temporada de Ciclones”). This site contains a wealth of information, including preparation, the color alert system (yellow = be prepared, orange = caution, red = danger), shelter locations, and more. Civil protection authorities (“Protección Civil de Yucatán) can be reached at 01-800-719-8633 or 925-5322. For emergencies, dial 066. The state Secretary of Tourism encourages a visit to their website, www.visitmexicopress.com. Hurricane information does not currently appear on the home page, but we are told it will in the near future. If you type “hurricane” in the search feature located in the right-hand corner of the home page, you will be able to access numerous articles, including ones related to recovery efforts following Hurricane Wilma, which hit Cancun in October 2005.
The state of Quintana Roo, Mexico offers information on their state: www.quintanaroo.gob.mx (“Temporada de Huracanes”).
Information on Campeche’s state website can be found at www.campeche.gob.mx (“Centro Estatal de Emergencias, Temporada de Huracanes”, toward the bottom of the home page).
Please note that the three above-mentioned websites may only be in Spanish.
U.S. government websites - Please visit the following websites for more information about hurricane preparedness:
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/hurricane_season/hurricane_season_2915.html
www.dhs.gov: Toward the bottom of the home page you will see “Other Top Stories” and “Hurricane Season Preparations”
www.fema.gov 3) Avian Flu:
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/tips/health/health_1181.html
This fact sheet alerts Americans to the Department of State’s preparedness efforts with respect to a possible influenza pandemic. The Department of State emphasizes that, in the event of a pandemic, its ability to assist Americans traveling and residing abroad may be severely limited by restrictions on local and international movement imposed for public health reasons, either by foreign governments and/or the United States. Furthermore, American citizens should take note that the Department of State cannot provide Americans traveling or living abroad with medications or supplies even in the event of a pandemic. For more information, please visit the above-mentioned website. 4) Register with us!
Please visit http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/tips/registration/registration_1186.html.
Thank you!
"The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved" - Victor Hugo
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