Until now, when applying for a new or renewed US passport or CRBA at the US Embassy in Jerusalem, the new passport or CRBA would be given over to the Israel Post courier service, who would then contact the applicant for payment of delivery.

This system had serious flaws, most significantly in the case of renewal by mail or drop box; in some cases, the applicant did not receive a tracking number and therefore had no way to contact Israel Post to arrange payment for delivery. This resulted in frequent delays in receiving passports.

The US Embassy has now announced a new system for receiving one’s processed documents: All passport applications — whether done in person at the Embassy or delivered by mail or drop box — must include a pre-paid postage label from Israel Post. This precludes the need to contact Israel Post to arrange payment for delivery. Furthermore, it allows the applicant to track their package online once it is given over to the Israel Post.

One may order a pre-paid postage label online. The cost is 60 NIS, payable by credit card. This label will be sent to the applicant’s email address so that they can print it and bring it to their appointment or include it with their mail-in application. With the new system in effect since yesterday, June 12, 2023, applicants arriving without the preprinted Israel Post delivery are not being allowed to enter the Embassy.

In relation to the above, the Embassy has also announced that they no longer allow passport pick-ups for non-emergency passports. Such passports will only be mailed back to the applicant by Israel Post.