German Citizens in the US: What do you think about that you have to show up in person now at the consulate ???

Question

We are living in Iowa and my child needs to get a new German passport. Hers will expire at the beginning of 2009.

Now I read on the webpage of the German Consulate in Chicago that I have to apply in person (because of the new passports and they need the fingerprints). That means we have to book flights for us and a hotel in Chicago which will be very costly plus the fee for the German passport. So, this passport will cost us well over a $1000 Dollars.

Is there no other way???? How do you other Germans who live in the Midwest (or elsewhere in the US) deal with this?

I tried to call the consulate and you never get to talk to a live person.

Who has gone through this and who can tell me about the Consulate in Chicago. I have never been in Chicago ever. I wanted to know from them if I at least could make an appointment if I go through the trouble of flying there. My time is so limited. But according to the website there are no appointments. I guess you just wait in line????

Answer 1

I know what you mean! Unfortunately there is no way around to this. I wish they would work somehow with the US government, so that you could at least get the fingerprints "notorized" in your local town and then send everything by mail to the Consulate or the embassy.