Cablegate: Validity of Passports Beyond Their Expiration

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS MADRID 004850

SIPDIS

For CA/VO/F/P: MBTATUCH; EUR/WE SBOWMAN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CVIS CMGT SP AN
SUBJECT: VALIDITY OF PASSPORTS BEYOND THEIR EXPIRATION
DATES: SPAIN, ANDORRA, and WESTERN SAHARA

REF: STATE 261966

1. (SENSITIVE) SPAIN: MFA confirms that Spanish
citizens have the right to enter Spain regardless of
the validity (or absence) of passport or other identity
documents. Since Spain has been maintaining a database
of Spanish nationals, including biometric elements, for
over 150 years, the Spanish National Police have a
mechanism for confirming the identity of Spanish
citizens. For the purposes of INA 212(a)(7)(B)(small
i)(I), Spain should be included in the list of
countries listed in 9 FAM 41.104 N2.1, which recognize
passports as valid for return for a period of six
months beyond the expiration date.

2. ANDORRA: The Andorran government does accept the
return of their citizens with expired passports for a
period of six months beyond the expiration date
specified in the passport. The Andorran government
does not have an agreement with the United States.
For the purposes of INA 212(a)(7)(B)(small i)(I),
Andorra should be included in the list of countries
listed in 9 FAM 41.104 N2.1, which recognize passports
as valid for return for a period of six months beyond
the expiration date.

3. WESTERN SAHARA: There are no passports issued by
Western Sahara.

MANZANARES

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