Criteria for Obtaining and Renewing a Biometric Passport

The Lebanese General Security announced on Thursday the criteria for accepting identification documents for obtaining or renewing a Lebanese biometric passport.

The passport application must be accompanied by an identity card or an individual civil status certificate. If the identity card was issued more than 10 years ago, an individual civil status certificate issued after September 12, 2023 must be added to the application. If the identity card was issued less than 10 years ago, the certificate is only required if the person’s features have changed from the photo.

It is also possible to apply for a passport using only the individual civil status certificate (new format), provided that the date of issuance is less than three months old.

Passport applications must be authenticated by the mukhtar of the applicant’s place of registration. Applications for passports may be submitted to the mukhtar of the applicant’s place of residence or the Public Relations Department of General Security.

If the person concerned has never previously obtained a biometric passport, the application must be submitted exclusively to the General Security regional center. It must be accompanied by another official document (registered and certified birth certificate, family civil status certificate, biometric driving license, etc.).

Renewal Application

To renew your biometric passport, you need a valid identity card with the same details as on your old biometric passport, or an individual civil status certificate with an issuing date of no more than one year from the date you submit your application.

It is also possible to present two pieces of identification, even if out-of-date, one of which includes a photo (individual civil status certificate, family civil status certificate, birth certificate, identity card, etc.).

This procedure can only be carried out at the mukhtar of the place of registration. The formality can be carried out at the General Security headquarters in the place of residence or registration, or the General Security Public Relations Department.