REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

CAPITOL HILL
REPUBLIC OFLIBERIA
MONROVIA, LIBERIA
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
CAPITOL HILL
MONROVIA, LIBERIA

REGULATIONS TO GOVERN THE

ADMINISTRATION AND ISSUANCE OF
REVISED LIBERIAN
REGULATIONS
PASSPORTS
TO GOVERN THE
ADMINISTRATION AND ISSUANCE OF
LIBERIAN PASSPORTS

MARCH, 2016
NOVEMBER, 2012

DECEMBER 2012
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1

Article I:
Definition of a Liberian Passport-------------------------------------------------------------------2

Article II:
General Requirements for the Application of Liberian Passports---------------------------2

Article III:
Specific Requirements for the Application and use of certain categories of
Liberian Passports/Travel Documents-----------------------------------------------------------4

Article IV:
Persons Entitled to Receive or be Granted Certain Categories of Passports/Travel
Documents-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6

A. Diplomatic Passport------------------------------------------------------------------------------6
B. Official Passport-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------9
C. Service Passport----------------------------------------------------------------------------------10
D. Laissez Passer/Border Crossing Passes-----------------------------------------------------11
E. Former Officials of Government---------------------------------------------------------------11

Article V:
Passport Fees--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12

Article VI:
Others-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------13

Article VII
Missing Liberian ECOWAS Biometric Passports--------------------------------------------------14
 INTRODUCTION

Chapter 20.3(f) of the Executive Law authorizes the Minister of Foreign Affairs

to issue or grant passports and visas as part of his/her statutory duties and

functions and to facilitate the fundamental rights of freedom of movement for

all citizens of Liberia. These functions are in harmony with chapter III (3)

article 13(a & b) of the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia. Therefore, it

becomes imperative to formulate a mechanism that will enhance the passport

issuance responsibility of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Accordingly, these

Regulations are hereby promulgated to ensure simplicity in procedure, fairness

in administration and the elimination of unjustifiable expense and delay in the

issuance of Liberian passports and other travel documents. These Regulations

also specify the categories of passport and to whom they are issued.
 ARTICLE I
DEFINITION OF A LIBERIAN PASSPORT

A Liberian passport is an official document issued by the Government of Liberia by which

the bearer is recognized in foreign countries either as a Liberian citizen, an honorary
consul, a diplomatic agent or emissary designated by the President of the Republic of
Liberia or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Non-citizens may be granted a Liberian passport
by the Minister of Foreign Affairs acting under the authority of the President or by the
determination of the President. The passport requests foreign countries to permit the
bearer to pass freely through or enter into their sovereign territories without hindrance or
molestation. These passports are classified in the following categories to include:
Diplomatic, Official, Service and Ordinary.

ARTICLE II
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE APPLICATION OF
LIBERIAN PASSPORTS

In order to legally obtain or be granted a Liberian passport, the individual applicant

requesting to be granted a Liberian passport must fulfill one of the following requirements:

All persons applying for Liberian passports or travel documents must possess and present
proof of being a natural born or naturalized Liberian citizen or must have taken the oath of
allegiance of Liberian citizenship.

(i) The evidence shall be either a certified Liberian birth certificate; or

(ii) If the applicant is not a natural born citizen, he/she must present a certified
certificate of citizenship/naturalization issued by a Liberian Court of competent
jurisdiction, which must be verified and confirmed by the Bureau of Immigration
and Naturalization (BIN).

(iii) In the event that an applicant has one parent who is a Liberian and the other a
non Liberian, he/she upon attaining majority (18 years) and before he/she
reaches the age of 23 years, must show proof (certificate) of the oath of allegiance
 to become a citizen of Liberia duly issued by a Liberian court of competent
jurisdiction or as the case may be, goes before a Liberian Consul and takes the
oath of allegiance to the Republic of Liberia required of a petitioner for
naturalization.

(iv) That these general application requirements shall be scrutinized and read
alongside volume II, title 4, chapter 22 of the Alien and Nationality Law of Liberia
(loss of citizenship) of the Liberian Codes Revised.

(v) Applicants for Liberian passports must fill an application form and submit it with
one (1) passport size photo (recent color photo of the applicant’s facial view).
Further photograph may be taken in the case of biometric passports.
 ARTICLE III
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR THE APPLICATION AND
USE OF CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF
LIBERIAN PASSPORTS/TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

The following classifications or categories of applicants for certain types of Liberian

passports or travel documents are required to present the below listed documentary
evidence to support their applications as follows:

1. Applicants for Diplomatic Passports must give written proof or evidence that they
are employees of the Government of Liberia with a rank or status as contained in these
Regulations or individuals who are or may be required or assigned to serve the
Republic of Liberia as diplomatic emissaries to foreign nations or Governments; or
show proof that a specific waiver of these requirements have been approved by the
Minister of Foreign Affairs or a dispensation given by the President of the Republic of
Liberia.

2. Ministries, agencies of Government, organizations and individuals applying for

Official or Service passport on behalf of an official or employee must show written
proof that the applicant is employed with the entity. Further, the applicant or
requesting agency must show that the purpose or the request is to facilitate an official
travel or travel that is related to the functions of the Government of Liberia. The
entity/institution will also be expected to take custody of the passports immediately
upon the return of the Passport holder from an official visit or upon the end of service
with the entity.

Holders of Diplomatic, Official, and Service Passports shall be expected to refrain from
using the passports in ways that injure the image of the country and undermine the
dignity of such passports.

3. An application for Ordinary Liberian Passport or travel documents for minor

children of a married couple must be signed and submitted by either parent. However,
in the case of unmarried parents, the mother is required to give her consent, except
where there is legal evidence that the child has been legitimized by the father and the
 child is placed in the custody of the father or legal guardian by a court of competent
jurisdiction.

4. In the case of a child one of whose parents is a Liberian and the other a foreigner, the
child shall be granted a Liberian passport until he/she reaches majority (18 years) and
thereafter, has to decide which nationality to adopt. If the child decides to continue
being a Liberian, he/she must pledge allegiance to the Republic of Liberia before the
expiry of his/her 23rd birthday.

5. In all other cases for the application of an Ordinary Liberian Passport, the applicant
must fulfill one of the requirements provided in article II of these Regulations.

6. Ordinary passports shall be issued for five years, while Diplomatic, Official and Service
Passports shall be issued for two years.

7. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Liberia’s Embassies and Consulates shall, on a case by
case basis also issue Laissez Passer for emergency travels to Liberian citizens and
foreigners who were born in Liberia and desire to travel to their countries of
nationality for the purpose of obtaining proper travel documents. Laissez Passer shall
have duration as indicated in the instrument. However, no Laissez Passer shall have
validity beyond ninety (90) days as of the date of issuance.

8. Consistent with this Regulation, the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization (BIN)
shall also have the authority to issue Border Crossing Passes on a need basis which
validity shall not exceed seven (7) days as of the date of issuance. The BIN may
develop regulations for the issuance of such Border Crossing Passes.

9. Note that each application for a Liberian passport in any of the categories shall be
reviewed and scrutinized on case by case bases.
 ARTICLE IV
PERSONS ENTITLED TO RECEIVE OR BE GRANTED CERTAIN
CATEGORIES OF PASSPORTS/TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

The Constitution of Liberia provides for the free movement of every Liberian citizen, which
entitles every Liberian to a Liberian travel document (passport). All Liberians are entitled
to an Ordinary Liberian Passport without discrimination. Diplomatic, Official and
Service Passports are special privileged passports and those to benefit from them are as
follows:

DIPLOMATIC PASSPORT
Diplomatic Passport is a class of passport which may be issued or be granted only to
persons or individuals who are or may be required or assigned to represent the Republic
of Liberia as a Diplomatic agent in foreign nations or to the below listed categories of
officials of Government and others.

1. President and Vice President or Head of State and Vice Head of State
(i) The spouses of the President and Vice President or Head of State and Vice Head of
State.
(ii) The children of the President and Vice President or Head of State and Vice Head
of State.

2. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Justice and the President Pro-
Tempore of the Senate
(i) The spouse(s) of Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chief Justice and the
President Pro-Tempore of the Senate.
(ii) The children under 18 years of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the
Chief Justice and the President Pro-Tempore of the Senate, if accompanying
them.

3. The members of the House of Representatives and the House of Senate

(i) The spouse(s) of the members of the House of Representatives and the Senate, if
accompanying them.
 (ii) The children under 18 years of the members of the House of Representatives and
the Senate, if accompanying them.

4. The Chief Clerk of the House of Representative and the Secretary of the Senate
(i) The spouse(s) of the Chief Clerk of the House of Representative and the Secretary of
the Senate, if accompanying them.
(ii) The children under 18 years of the Chief of the House of Representatives and the
Secretary to the Senate, if accompanying them.

5. The Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of Liberia.

(i) The spouses of Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of Liberia, if accompanying
them.
(ii) The children under 18 years of Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of
Liberia, if accompanying them.

6. The Court Administrator of the Supreme Court of Liberia

7. The spouse(s) Court Administrator of the Supreme Court of Liberia, if accompanying

him/her.
(i) The children under 18 years of the Court Administrator of the Supreme Court of
Liberia, if accompanying them.

8. Cabinet Ministers, Ambassadors Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary, and Ambassadors-

at-Large
(i) The spouses of the Cabinet Ministers, Ambassadors Extraordinary &
Plenipotentiary, and Ambassadors-At-Large
(ii) The children under 18 years of Cabinet Ministers, Ambassadors Extraordinary &
Plenipotentiary, and Ambassadors-At-Large, if accompanying them.

9. Consular and other Foreign Service Officers

(i) The spouses of Consular and other Foreign Service Officers living or traveling with
said officers on post.
 (ii) The children under 18 years of Consular and other Foreign Service Officers living
or traveling with their parents on post.

10. Deputy and Assistant Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Inspector General of the Foreign
Service, Chief of Protocol of the Republic of Liberia, Chief of Protocol at the Executive
Mansion, Heads of autonomous agencies, public corporation and commissions.

11. The various Heads of the military and paramilitary forces including the Chief of Staff,
Deputy Chief of Staff and Commanding General of the Armed Forces of Liberia.

12. Advisors to the President of the Republic of Liberia

13. Widows and widowers of former Presidents and Vice Presidents.

In addition to the above category of officials and individuals, the below listed individuals
on the basis of their ranks or positions in Government may be granted or issued
Diplomatic Passports as a matter of privilege when assigned by an appropriate
Governmental institution to represent the Government or render service for the
Government of Liberia in foreign countries:

a. Natural-born Liberian heads of recognized religious institutions not lower than the
rank of Bishop or Chief Imam. This privilege shall be extended to Heads belonging to
religious institutions that have existed for over twenty(20) years and are physically
present in at least ten(10) of the counties in Liberia.

b. All natural-born Liberian heads (Presidents) of accredited universities in Liberia.

OFFICIAL PASSPORT

An Official Passport is a class of passport whose issuance is dictated by the nature of the
work of the applicant and may be issued or granted only to officials of Government who
may be subject to confirmation by the Senate where applicable, and hold the following
positions or ranks:

1. Deputy Ministers, Assistant Ministers, Assistant Ministers equivalent, Deputy

Managing Directors, Directors of Government Ministries and Commissioners of
autonomous/specialized agencies.

2. Judges of Courts of Record, Magistrates, Justices of the Peace, County Attorneys and
Defense Counsels/Public Defenders.

3. The Chief Clerk of the Supreme Court, Marshals, Deputy Marshals and Sheriffs.

4. Superintendents of Counties, Assistant Superintendents, Paramount Chiefs, City

Mayors and Council Members.

5. Members of the military and paramilitary from the rank of lieutenant or its equivalent
and above.

6. Other officials (Chiefs of office staff, Administrative Assistants, Special Assistants to

officials with a Cabinet rank or above) and distinguished citizens of the Republic of
Liberia, at the determination of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and for good and
sufficient reason, those designated to go on special mission for Government, even
though they are non Government Officials.

7. Attendants of Diplomatic Passport holders, if accompanying their principals.

8. All appointed board members of public corporations.

SERVICE PASSPORT

Service Passport is a class of passport whose issuance is based only on the nature of work
and activity of the grantee. Service Passports shall be granted to Civil Servants and lower
ranking officials below the rank of Assistant Minister and Director. The grantee must be
non-commissioned Presidential, judicial, legislative or ministerial appointees who are
serving in such capacities as follows:
1. Research Personnel
2. Secretaries/Clerks
3. Civil Servants of Autonomous Agencies
4. Military and Para-Military Personnel below the rank of lieutenant
5. Athletes
6. Employees of Diplomats (drivers/wards, etc)

Diplomatic, Official and Service Passports must be issued by and at the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs. Therefore, no Foreign Service officer or Mission of the Republic of Liberia shall
issue Diplomatic, Official and Service Liberian Passports except when specifically
authorized by written instructions from the Minister of Foreign Affairs or the President or
Head of State of the Republic of Liberia.

All requests for Diplomatic, Official and Service Passports should be written by the
head of the requesting institution to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Payments for
Diplomatic, Official and Service Passports shall be made by the Government
entity/institution requesting for such passports on behalf of an official or employee of
Government. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will not accept payment for Diplomatic,
Official or Service passports from officials or employees of Government directly. Applicants
for Diplomatic or other categories of passports not in the employ of Government must bear
the cost of issuance of such passports. Requests from the National Legislature should be
written by the Chief Clerk for the House of Representatives and the Secretary of the Senate
for the Senate; and for the Judiciary, the Court Administrator.
F. LAISSEZ PASSER/BORDER CROSSING PASSES

All Laissez Passer and Border Crossing Passes shall be issued pursuant to provisions of
Article III above.

G. FORMER OFFICIALS OF GOVERNMENT

1. Former Presidents and Vice Presidents, Chief Justice, Speaker, President Pro-Tempore
and their spouses shall be issued Diplomatic Passports.

2. Former heads of Transitional/Interim Governments and their spouses shall be issued

Diplomatic passports.

3. Former Ministers of Foreign Affairs shall be issued Diplomatic Passports; and

4. All former officials (Cabinet Ministers, members of the Legislative Body, Justices of the
Supreme Court, Ambassadors) shall be issued Official passports.

The Official or Diplomatic passport for a former official shall indicate the former title.
Example: former member of the Senate, House, Cabinet, Diplomat, etc.
All Officials of Government who shall be dismissed for acts incompatible with their
status shall not be permitted to benefit from the issuance of such privileged passports.
 ARTICLE V
PASSPORT FEES

The designated passport fees in Liberia will apply to Liberians in Country. Those Liberians
residing outside of Liberia who apply for passport at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will
pay the applicable passport fees for applicants abroad. This provision however, does not
apply to Liberia Foreign Service officers who request for the re-call and issuance of their
passport at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

As provided for in the Restated Biometric Passport Contract of 2011 as amended, Passport
fees will be US$50.00 for all categories of ECOWAS Biometric Passports for applicants
obtaining their passports at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. US$200 will be charged for an
ECOWAS passport issued to Liberian citizens outside Liberia through Liberia’s Missions or
authorized stations. These fees may be reviewed from time to time as circumstances
demand.

NOTE: The fee for Laissez Passer shall be US$10.00 and the fee for Border Crossing Passes
shall be determined by the BIN but not to exceed US$5.00.
 ARTICLE VI
OTHERS

1. Foreign Service Officers who have been recalled but not dismissed or re-assigned
should remain in possession of their passports until it expires and must not be re-
issued new ones until they are re-assigned/appointed. If they are not re-assigned/re-
appointed, then they must not be re-issued new ones.

2. There shall be no renewal of any passport; at the expiry of the designated time, a new
Passport shall be applied for.

3. These Regulations are subject to change if and when necessary. However, they shall
govern the issuance of passports until otherwise changed.
 ARTICLE VII
MISSING LIBERIAN ECOWAS BIOMETRIC PASSPORTS

Section 1. PASSPORTS REPORTED AS LOST/STOLEN WITHIN THE REPUBLIC OF

LIBERIA

An individual no longer in possession of a lawfully issued passport may apply for a

replacement passport only after observing the requirements listed herein.

1. Report to the Liberia National Police and the Bureau of Immigration and
Naturalization

a. The passport holder shall, as soon as the passport holder becomes aware, report
the lost or stolen passport to the Liberian National Police (INTERPOL SECTION)
and to the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization. The passport holder shall
complete the required forms, stating with specificity the passport details and
the circumstance surrounding the loss. The report must be signed and dated by
the passport holder.

b. The passport holder shall obtain receipts from both the LNP and BIN indicating
that the required reports were made. The receipt shall include the date and time
the report was made and the personal details for the individual making the
report. The receipts must be signed by the LNP and the BIN.

c. The LNP and BIN shall each complete its investigation within five(5) business
days of the report and either issue a clearance in the approved form or issue a
notice of rejection stating the reasons why a clearance cannot be issued. The
clearance or notice of rejection shall be submitted directly to the passport
Division by the LNP and BIN. Any clearance or notice of rejection not submitted
in accordance with this regulation shall be considered invalid.

2. Affidavit of Lost Passport

a. The passport holder shall obtain an affidavit of Lost Passport that includes a
detailed explanation of the facts and circumstances of the lost/stolen passport.

b. The affidavit shall be submitted to the Passport Division as part of the application
for a replacement passport.

3. Public Service Announcement

The passport holder shall put out a public service announcement in a daily
newspaper alerting the public to the lost or stolen passport for at least three
consecutive weeks. The public service announcement shall request that anyone
who comes across said lost or stolen passport should kindly return same to the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If the Ministry of Foreign Affairs receives a lost or stolen
passport, it shall record the passport details promptly and contact the passport
holder if contact details are available. The passport shall be given to the passport
holder, provided the passport holder completes the appropriate form. If contact
details for the passport holder are not available, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
shall retain the passport until such time that the passport holder reports to the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and completes the appropriate form.

4. Application for replacement Passport

a. The passport holder shall report to the Bureau of Passports and visas of the
Republic of Liberia to commence the process of obtaining a replacement
passport only after having completed all of the above listed requirements.
Failure to observe all requirements shall result in a denial of the application for
a replacement passport.

b. The passport holder shall complete an application for a replacement passport,

pay the regular passport fee of US$ 50 and pay an additional nonrefundable fee
of USD150 as service charge. The total fee to be paid shall be USDD200.00. This
fee is subject to change.

c. The passport holder shall submit the application form along with all required
supporting documentation to the Director of the Passport Division and retain a
receipt for the submission. The required supporting documentations are:
i. Receipt from LNP indicating a report was made;
ii. Receipt from Bin indicating a report was made;
iii. Affidavit of Lost passport;
iv. Proof of public service announcement (for a required three weeks)
v. Receipt of payment for the required fees

d. The Director of the Passport Division shall certify receipt of an application for
replacement passport only if the application and all required supporting
documentations are presented. Failure to present any required document shall
result in a rejection of the application and a denial of the request for a
replacement passport.

e. Once the Director of the Passport Division has certified receipt of the application
for replacement passport, such request shall be processed within fifteen (15)
days.

5. Subsequent Report of loss or stolen passport

If a passport holder reports a lost passport within two (2) years of receiving a
replacement passport, the passport holder shall be required to complete all
requirements listed above and additionally must:
a. Be reported to the National Security Agency (NSA) for investigation. NSA
must issue a clearance of the passport holder directly to the Passport
Division. No replacement passport shall be issued in the case of a
subsequent report of lost or stolen replacement passport unless a
clearance is given by the NSA.
 b. The passport holder shall be required to pay the passport fee of USD50 and a
service charge of USD 350. The total fee to be paid shall be USD$400.00.
This fee is subject to change.

Section 2. PASSPORTS REPORTED AS LOST OUTSIDE OF THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA

1. Police Report

The passport holder shall make a police report to the nearest Police station
and obtain a copy of such police report.

2. Notarized Statement

The passport holder shall notarize a statement describing with specificity the
circumstances of the lost or stolen passport.

3. Application for Replacement passport

a. The passport holder shall report to the Embassy or Consular officer to

commence the process of obtaining a replacement passport only after having
completed all of the above listed requirements. Failure to observe all
requirements shall result in a denial of the application for a replacement
passport.

b. The passport holder shall complete an application for a replacement

passport, pay the regular passport fee of US$ 200 and pay an additional
nonrefundable fee of US$150 as service charge. The total fee to be paid shall
be USD$ 350.00. This fee is subject to change.

c. The passport holder shall submit the application form along with all
required supporting documentation to the Embassy or consular Officer and
retain a receipt for the submission. The required supporting documentation
are:

i. Police Report;
ii. Notarized letter;
c. Receipt of payment for the required fees;
d. Postage paid return envelop

d. The Embassy or Consular Officer shall certify receipt of an application for

replacement passport only if the application and all required supporting
documentations are presented. Failure to present any required document shall
result in a rejection of the application and a denial of the request for a
replacement passport.

e. Once the Embassy or Consular Officer has certified receipt of the application for
replacement passport, the Passport Division shall process such request within
fifteen (15) days.
 4. Subsequent report of loss or stolen passport

If a passport holder reports a lost passport within two (2) years of receiving a
replacement passport, the passport holder shall be required to complete all
requirements listed above and additionally must:

a. Be reported to the National Security Agency (NSA) for investigation. NSA must
issue a clearance of the passport holder directly to the Passport Division. No
replacement passport shall be issued in the case of a subsequent report of lost
or stolen replacement passport unless a clearance is given by the NSA.

b. The passport holder shall be required to pay the passport fee of USD$ 200 and a
service charge of US$ 350. The total to be paid shall be USD$ 550.00. This fee is
subject to change.

SECTION 3- EMERGENCY

If a passport is lost or stolen and the passport holder must travel within five (5) days, the
Passport Holder must observe the following steps:

a. Report the lost or stolen passport to the LNP and BIN and complete the required
forms, stating with specificity the passport details and the circumstances
surrounding the loss. The report must be signed and dated by the passport
holder and each of the LNP and BIN.

b. The passport holder shall obtain receipts from both the LNP and BIN indicating
that the required reports were made. The receipt shall include the date and time
the report was made and the personal details for the individual making the
report. The receipts must be signed by the LNP and BIN.

c. The passport holder shall obtain an affidavit of lost passport that includes a
detailed explanation of the facts and circumstances of the lost/stolen passport.
d. The passport holder shall complete an application for a replacement passport,
pay the regular passport fee of US$50 and pay an additional nonrefundable fee
of US$250 as service charge. The total fee to be paid shall be USD$ 300.00. This
fee is subject to change.

e. The passport holder shall submit the application form along with all required
supporting documentation to the Director of the Passport Division and retain a
receipt for the submission. The required supporting documentation are:
1. Receipt from LNP indicating a report was made;
2. Receipt from BIN indicating a report was made
3. Affidavit of lost passport;
4. Proof of paid travel ticket showing travel within five (5) days; and
5. Receipt of payment for the required fees
 f. The Director of the Passport Division shall certify receipt of an Application for
replacement passport only if the application and all required supporting
documentations are presented. Failure to present any required document shall
result in a rejection of the application and a denial of the request for a
replacement passport.

g. Once the Director of the Passport Division has certified receipt of the application
for replacement passport, such request shall be processed within two (2)
business days.

1. Outside of the Republic of Liberia

a. Report the lost or stolen passport to the nearest police station, stating
with specificity the passport details and the circumstances surrounding
the loss. Obtain a copy of the police report or if unavailable, a receipt
indicating the police report was made.

b. The passport holder shall submit a notarized letter stating that a detailed
explanation of the facts and circumstances of the lost/stolen passport.

c. The passport holder shall complete an application for a replacement

passport, pay the regular passport fee of USD200 and pay additional
nonrefundable fee of USD350 as service charge. The total fee to be paid
shall be USD550.00. This fee is subject to change.

d. The passport holder shall submit the application form along with all
required supporting documentations to the Embassy or Consular Officer
and retain a receipt for the submission. The required supporting
documentation are:

i. Copy of Police Report;

ii. Notarized statement indicating with specificity the circumstances of
the lost or stolen passport;
iii. Proof of paid travel ticket showing travel within five (5) days; and
iv. Receipt of payment for the required fees

e. The Embassy or Consular Section shall certify receipt of an application

for replacement passport only if the application and all required
supporting documentations are presented. Failure to present any
required document shall result in a rejection of the application and a
denial of the request for a replacement passport.

f. Once the Embassy or Consular Section has certified receipt of the

application for replacement passport, the passport Division shall process
such request within one (1) business day.
SECTION 4- EFFECTIVE DATE

This regulation shall become effective upon publication in the National Gazette.

Signed by:

_________________________
Honorable Marjon V. Kamara
Minister of Foreign Affairs

REGULATION ON MISSING LIBERIAN ECOWAS

BIOMETRIC PASSPORTS

WHEREAS, the Executive Law of Liberia mandates that it shall be the duty of the
Minister of Foreign Affairs, under the direction of the President of the Republic of
Liberia, to among other functions, issue passports and visas;

WHEREAS, said authority of the Minister of Foreign Affairs is delegated to the Bureau
of passports & visas and Liberian Diplomatic Representatives consistent with the
Foreign Relations Law, which stipulates, inter alia, that passports may be issued in
Liberia only by the Director of the Bureau of passports and visas, and in foreign
countries, by a Diplomatic Representative or a consular officer, except that in those
countries in which an Embassy or Legation of the Republic has been establish, only the
Diplomatic representative shall be permitted to grant a passport except the absence
there from of such Representative;

WHEREAS, the Government of Liberia (GOL) has over time instituted measures to
improve the quality of the Liberian Passport to prevent fraud and abuse consistent
with the international Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations;

WHEREAS, the production, issuance and use of a passport has security implication
which also border on the integrity of the Country;

WHEREAS, it has come to the attention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that there
are attempts to falsify the Liberian ECOWAS Biometric passport primarily through the
illegal alteration of passports reported lost or stolen;

WHEREAS, the Republic of Liberia must take action to curtail and or prevent the
abuse of the Liberian ECOWAS Biometric passports;
WHEREAS, in order to preserve the integrity of the Liberian passport and avert its
abuse, the Government of the Republic of Liberia through the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs deems it expedient to adopt the following regulation as initial measures.

Now Therefore:
As of the date of the promulgation of these regulations, anyone reporting a lost of
stolen passport shall be subject to the following:

Section 1. PASSPORTS REPORTED AS LOST/STOLEN WITHIN THE REPUBLIC

OF LIBERIA

An individual no longer in possession of a lawfully issued passport may apply for a

replacement passport only after observing the requirements listed herein.

6. Report to the Liberia National Police and the Bureau of

Immigration and Naturalization

f. The passport holder shall, as soon as the passport holder becomes aware,
report the lost or stolen passport to the Liberian National Police (INTERPOL
SECTION) and to the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization. The passport
holder shall complete the required forms, stating with specificity the passport
details and the circumstance surrounding the loss. The report must be signed
and dated by the passport holder.

g. The passport holder shall obtain receipts from both the LNP and BIN
indicating that the required reports were made. The receipt shall include the
date and time the report was made and the personal details for the individual
making the report. The receipts must be signed by the LNP and the BIN.

h. The LNP and BIN shall each complete its investigation within five(5) business
days of the report and either issue a clearance in the approved form or issue
a notice of rejection stating the reasons why a clearance cannot be issued.
The clearance or notice of rejection shall be submitted directly to the
passport Division by the LNP and BIN. Any clearance or notice of rejection
not submitted in accordance with this regulation shall be considered invalid.

7. Affidavit of Lost Passport

c. The passport holder shall obtain an affidavit of Lost Passport that includes a
detailed explanation of the facts and circumstances of the lost/stolen passport.

d. The affidavit shall be submitted to the Passport Division as part of the

application for a replacement passport.

8. Public Service Announcement

The passport holder shall put out a public service announcement in a daily
newspaper alerting the public to the lost or stolen passport for at least three
consecutive weeks. The public service announcement shall request that anyone
who comes across said lost or stolen passport should kindly return same to the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If the Ministry of Foreign Affairs receives a lost or
stolen passport, it shall record the passport details promptly and contact the
passport holder if contact details are available. The passport shall be given to
the passport holder, provided the passport holder completes the appropriate
form. If contact details for the passport holder are not available, the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs shall retain the passport until such time that the passport
holder reports to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and completes the appropriate
form.

9. Application for replacement Passport

f. The passport holder shall report to the Bureau of Passports and visas of the
Republic of Liberia to commence the process of obtaining a replacement
passport only after having completed all of the above listed requirements.
Failure to observe all requirements shall result in a denial of the application
for a replacement passport.

g. The passport holder shall complete an application for a replacement

passport, pay the regular passport fee of US$ 50 and pay an additional
nonrefundable fee of USD150 as service charge. The total fee to be paid shall
be USDD200.00. This fee is subject to change.

h. The passport holder shall submit the application form along with all required
supporting documentation to the Director of the Passport Division and retain
a receipt for the submission. The required supporting documentations are:
vi. Receipt from LNP indicating a report was made;
vii. Receipt from Bin indicating a report was made;
viii.Affidavit of Lost passport;
ix. Proof of public service announcement (for a required three weeks)
x. Receipt of payment for the required fees

i. The Director of the Passport Division shall certify receipt of an application for
replacement passport only if the application and all required supporting
documentations are presented. Failure to present any required document
shall result in a rejection of the application and a denial of the request for a
replacement passport.

j. Once the Director of the Passport Division has certified receipt of the
application for replacement passport, such request shall be processed within
fifteen (15) days.

10. Subsequent Report of loss or stolen passport

If a passport holder reports a lost passport within two (2) years of receiving a
replacement passport, the passport holder shall be required to complete all
requirements listed above and additionally must:
 e. Be reported to the National Security Agency (NSA) for investigation. NSA
must issue a clearance of the passport holder directly to the Passport
Division. No replacement passport shall be issued in the case of a
subsequent report of lost or stolen replacement passport unless a
clearance is given by the NSA.
f. The passport holder shall be required to pay the passport fee of USD50
and a service charge of USD 350. The total fee to be paid shall be
USD$400.00. This fee is subject to change.

Section 2. PASSPORTS REPORTED AS LOST OUTSIDE OF THE REPUBLIC OF

LIBERIA

5. Police Report

The passport holder shall make a police report to the nearest Police station
and obtain a copy of such police report.

6. Notarized Statement

The passport holder shall notarize a statement describing with specificity the
circumstances of the lost or stolen passport.

7. Application for Replacement passport

d. The passport holder shall report to the Embassy or Consular officer to

commence the process of obtaining a replacement passport only after
having completed all of the above listed requirements. Failure to observe
all requirements shall result in a denial of the application for a
replacement passport.

e. The passport holder shall complete an application for a replacement

passport, pay the regular passport fee of US$ 200 and pay an additional
nonrefundable fee of US$150 as service charge. The total fee to be paid
shall be USD$ 350.00. This fee is subject to change.

f. The passport holder shall submit the application form along with all
required supporting documentation to the Embassy or consular Officer
and retain a receipt for the submission. The required supporting
documentation are:

i. Police Report;
ii. Notarized letter;
g. Receipt of payment for the required fees;
h. Postage paid return envelop

i. The Embassy or Consular Officer shall certify receipt of an application for

replacement passport only if the application and all required supporting
 documentations are presented. Failure to present any required document
shall result in a rejection of the application and a denial of the request for a
replacement passport.

j. Once the Embassy or Consular Officer has certified receipt of the application
for replacement passport, the Passport Division shall process such request
within fifteen (15) days.

8. Subsequent report of loss or stolen passport

If a passport holder reports a lost passport within two (2) years of receiving
a replacement passport, the passport holder shall be required to complete all
requirements listed above and additionally must:

c. Be reported to the National Security Agency (NSA) for investigation. NSA

must issue a clearance of the passport holder directly to the Passport
Division. No replacement passport shall be issued in the case of a subsequent
report of lost or stolen replacement passport unless a clearance is given by
the NSA.

d. The passport holder shall be required to pay the passport fee of USD$ 200
and a service charge of US$ 350. The total to be paid shall be USD$ 550.00.
This fee is subject to change.

SECTION 3- EMERGENCY

If a passport is lost or stolen and the passport holder must travel within five (5) days,
the Passport Holder must observe the following steps:

h. Report the lost or stolen passport to the LNP and BIN and complete the
required forms, stating with specificity the passport details and the
circumstances surrounding the loss. The report must be signed and dated by
the passport holder and each of the LNP and BIN.

i. The passport holder shall obtain receipts from both the LNP and BIN
indicating that the required reports were made. The receipt shall include the
date and time the report was made and the personal details for the individual
making the report. The receipts must be signed by the LNP and BIN.

j. The passport holder shall obtain an affidavit of lost passport that includes a
detailed explanation of the facts and circumstances of the lost/stolen
passport.
k. The passport holder shall complete an application for a replacement
passport, pay the regular passport fee of US$50 and pay an additional
nonrefundable fee of US$250 as service charge. The total fee to be paid shall
be USD$ 300.00. This fee is subject to change.
 l. The passport holder shall submit the application form along with all required
supporting documentation to the Director of the Passport Division and retain
a receipt for the submission. The required supporting documentation are:
6. Receipt from LNP indicating a report was made;
7. Receipt from BIN indicating a report was made
8. Affidavit of lost passport;
9. Proof of paid travel ticket showing travel within five (5) days; and
10. Receipt of payment for the required fees

m. The Director of the Passport Division shall certify receipt of an Application

for replacement passport only if the application and all required supporting
documentations are presented. Failure to present any required document
shall result in a rejection of the application and a denial of the request for a
replacement passport.

n. Once the Director of the Passport Division has certified receipt of the
application for replacement passport, such request shall be processed within
two (2) business days.

2. Outside of the Republic of Liberia

g. Report the lost or stolen passport to the nearest police station, stating
with specificity the passport details and the circumstances surrounding
the loss. Obtain a copy of the police report or if unavailable, a receipt
indicating the police report was made.

h. The passport holder shall submit a notarized letter stating that a

detailed explanation of the facts and circumstances of the lost/stolen
passport.

i. The passport holder shall complete an application for a replacement

passport, pay the regular passport fee of USD200 and pay additional
nonrefundable fee of USD350 as service charge. The total fee to be
paid shall be USD550.00. This fee is subject to change.

j. The passport holder shall submit the application form along with all
required supporting documentations to the Embassy or Consular
Officer and retain a receipt for the submission. The required
supporting documentation are:

v. Copy of Police Report;

vi. Notarized statement indicating with specificity the circumstances of
the lost or stolen passport;
vii. Proof of paid travel ticket showing travel within five (5) days; and
viii.Receipt of payment for the required fees

k. The Embassy or Consular Section shall certify receipt of an application

for replacement passport only if the application and all required
 supporting documentations are presented. Failure to present any
required document shall result in a rejection of the application and a
denial of the request for a replacement passport.

l. Once the Embassy or Consular Section has certified receipt of the

application for replacement passport, the passport Division shall
process such request within one (1) business day.

SECTION 4- EFFECTIVE DATE

This regulation shall become effective upon publication in the National Gazette.

Signed by:

_________________________
Honorable Marjon V. Kamara
Minister of Foreign Affairs