American Citizens Services Newsletter
ACS Newsletter (November 2006)
U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong and Macau
Welcome to the November newsletter! Here are this month's topics:
New Topics:
Continuing Topics of Interest:
Absentee Ballot Troubleshooting
Here are two possible scenarios citizens may face within days of the elections and what to do about them:
Scenario 1. The citizen has received the state ballot but has not sent it back:
Vote and return it immediately! Generally, if a state allows late counting of ballots, the ballot envelope must have been mailed on or before election day. In addition, we recommend that the citizens always vote and return their regular state absentee ballot, regardless of the day it is received, provided it is mailed by election day.
Scenario 2. The citizen has not received the requested ballot:
If the citizen has requested the absentee ballot, and has not received the regular state ballot, the citizen may be qualified to use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Please see the newsletter section "Using the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot," shown below.
Important note: If the citizen receives the state absentee ballot after submitting the FWAB, he or she should vote and return the state ballot up to and including election day.
Using the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot
Under the provisions of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA), the Federal Voting Assistance Program provides a "back-up" ballot, called the Federal Write- In Absentee Ballot, or FWAB, should an absent uniformed services voter or a citizen residing outside the United States not receive his or her requested regular ballot from their state or territory. Generally, a citizen can only use the FWAB under the following conditions:
Be stateside but absent from his/her voting residence (for uniformed services members and their family members); OR be located outside the United States (for all UOCAVA citizens); AND Have requested a regular ballot early enough so the request is received by the appropriate local election official not later than the State deadline; OR the date that is 30 days before the general election, whichever is shorter; AND Have not received the requested regular absentee ballot from the state.
An on-line version of the FWAB is available on the FVAP website at http://www.fvap.gov/pubs/onlinefwab.html.
A citizen who receives their state ballot after submitting a FWAB should also vote their state ballot, and return it to their local election official, up to and including election day. If both ballots arrive in time to meet the state's deadlines, local officials have procedures in place so that only one ballot is counted for each individual.
The Integrated Voting Alternative Site (IVAS) allows citizens to see what electronic alternatives are permitted for the return of their voted ballot in their state of residence. The site is available through the FVAP website at http://www.fvap.gov/ivas/fvap_state_menu.html. For assistance, you may contact an FVAP staff member through the Department of Defense Voting Information Center (VIC). The VIC also provides names, political party affiliation, and recorded messages from candidates, as well as other information concerning elections, 24 hours a day. Citizens may reach the VIC toll-free using the toll-free numbers listed on the FVAP website, http://www.fvap.gov/services/tollfree.html. In the U.S. or Canada call 1-800-438-VOTE (8683) or local (703) 588-1343.
Free Shipping of US Election Absentee Ballots
Good news for US citizens living in Hong Kong. FedEx will be shipping your absentee ballots to the U.S. at no cost to you. Voters should drop off their ballots at the addresses indicated below. Service will commence from October 2 until November 3, 2006.
FedEx World Service Centers
Hong Kong
Shop 43, 1/F., Admiralty Center, Admiralty Office Hours:
09:00 - 19:30 (Mon - Fri)
09:00 - 18:00 (Sat)
Kowloon
Workshop C, G/F, VGA Building,
532 Castle Peak Road, Cheung Sha Wan
Office Hours:
09:00 - 19:30 (Mon - Fri)
09:00 - 18:00 (Sat)
Shop 1, G/F., Houston Center,
63 Mody Road, TST East
Office Hours:
09:00 - 19:30 (Mon - Fri)
09:00 - 18:00 (Sat)
FedEx Stations
Hong Kong
G/F., Hop Shi Industrial Building,
29 - 31 Lee Chung Street, Chai Wan
Office Hours:
09:00 - 22:00 (Mon-Fri)
09:00 - 18:00 (Sat & Public Holiday)
G/F, 12/P Smithfield Road,
Cheung Hing Industrial Building,
Kennedy Town, Hong Kong
Office Hours:
09:00 - 19:30 (Mon- Fri)
09:00 - 18:00 (Sat & Public Holiday)
Kowloon
100 Sung Wong Toi Road, Tokwawan
Office Hours:
09:00 - 20:00 (Mon)
09:00 - 22:00 (Tue-Fri)
09:00 - 18:00 (Sat & Public Holiday)
G/F., Hang Sang Industrial Building,
185 Wai Yip Street, Kwun Tong
Office Hours:
09:00 - 20:00 (Mon)
09:00 - 22:00 (Tue-Fri)
09:00 - 18:00 (Sat & Public Holiday)
New Territories
Unit 2-3, 6/F., Global Gateway,
168 Yeung Uk Road, Tsuen Wan
Office Hours:
09:00 - 22:00 (Mon-Fri)
09:00 - 18:00 (Sat & Public Holiday)
Unit 2-3, 3/F., Global Gateway,
168 Yeung Uk Road, Tsuen Wan
Office Hours:
09:00 - 22:00 (Mon-Fri)
09:00 - 18:00 (Sat & Public Holiday)
Unit B, 5/F., Ever Gain Centre,
28 On Muk Street, Shek Mun Shatin
Office Hours:
09:00 - 20:00 (Mon-Fri)
09:00 - 18:00 (Sat & Public Holiday)
Room 208, Asia Airfreight Terminal
10 Chun Ping Road
Hong Kong International Airport
Lantau Island, Hong Kong
Office Hours:
08:30 - 19:00 (Mon - Sat & Public Holiday)
Emergency Passports
We wish to remind all American citizens that emergency passports can only be issued in the event of a true emergency such as a sudden illness or the death of a family member. The U.S. emergency passport is not intended for long-term use in place of the standard 10-year validity biometric, machine-readable U.S. passport. An emergency passport will not be issued to facilitate urgent business travel or travel for tourism. Please carefully review the validity of your current U.S. passport. Keep in mind that many countries and airlines require a minimum of six months' validity remaining on your passport for travel. See this newsletter's section "check your passport's validity" for more information.
Upcoming Holidays and Other Closures
The Consulate General will be closed on the following holidays:
| November 10, 2006 | | Veteran's Day |
| November 23, 2006 | | Thanksgiving Day |
| December 25, 2006 | | Christmas Day |
| December 26, 2006 | | Boxing Day |
| January 1, 2007 | | New Years' Day |
Notarized Parental Consent for Passport Services for Minors Under 14
Effective July 2, 2001, U.S. law requires both parents' consent to passport services applications for minors under 14. This consent is normally established by both parents signing the application in front of a U.S. Consular officer. Note that both parents must prove their parentage and custodial status when granting their consent every time a U.S. citizen child under age 14 applies for passport services.
Parentage status may be established with an original or certified copy of the child's birth certificate listing both parents' full names. Custodial status may be proven by an original or certified copy of a court order.
U.S. citizens under age 14 applying for passports must appear in person at American Citizen Services. This requirement does not apply to requests for adding visa pages or other amendments to current U.S. passports.
When only one parent is available to execute the application, that parent must provide, under penalty of perjury, documentary evidence demonstrating that he or she has sole legal custody of the child or has the written consent of the other parent to the passport issuance.
Effective November 1, 2004, written consent must be notarized and provide unequivocal consent to passport issuance. We can accept faxed copies of this consent statement, but the notary seal must be visible in the faxed copy.
Check Your Passport's Validity
Many governments require US travelers to have at least 6 months validity left in their passports for entry into their countries. American travelers are recommended to check http://travel.state.gov for various country entry requirements ahead of time.Regular passports are received within 10 calendar days after the US Consulate receives the application. More information can be found at http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov/acs_passports.html.
Need more passport pages?
If your full-validity U.S. passport has not expired yet, but has no blank pages left for, say, additional Chinese visas, we can add additional pages for you free of charge. Barring any unusual circumstances, we can usually add pages to your passport in about 45 minutes, while you wait. You need to make an appointment for this service. In some cases, you can have a courier assist you in this process. Learn more at http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov/acs_supplement.html.
Online Appointment System for All American Citizens Services
Online appointments are required for all services provided by the American Citizens Services Unit at the U.S. Consulate General Hong. Book your appointment at http://www.hongkongacs.com.
If you need directions to our offices, try this online searchable map:
http://www.ypmap.com/en/viewer.asp?mapService=LocationMap
Search for us by street address at 26 Garden Road.
Democrats Abroad Events - Nov. 14, 2006 and November 20, 2006
Democrats Abroad Hong Kong would like to make the following announcement: "Democrats Abroad will have its monthly happy hour from 6-9 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 14, at Delaney's in Wan Chai. Anyone is welcome; $150 buys you unlimited standard drinks (excepting Guinness and Kilkenny's), finger foods, and delightful conversation. The group will be on the 1/F of the establishment at 18 Luard Road in Wan Chai. For details, please visit the website http://hk.democratsabroad.org
In addition, Democrats Abroad is delighted to be hosting North Carolina state senator Janet Cowell on Monday, Nov. 20, for a national post-election analysis. Senator Cowell, who used to work in Hong Kong, will be speaking at the Dublin Jack, where people will gather from 6-9 p.m. All are welcome; $150 buys you unlimited standard drinks (excepting Guinness and Kilkenny's), finger foods, and the chance to take in the senator's wisdom. The Dublin Jack is on the 1/F of 17 Lan Kwai Fong in Central."
Internet-Based Registration System
U.S. citizens around the world who travel or reside abroad can record foreign trip and residence information at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/. The Department of State invites USCs to register themselves and their families. The registration information is used to communicate with US citizens and assist them in case of an emergency. If citizens are already registered with this consulate, the Department asks that they please re-register on line to update their records.
The registration site provides up-to-date travel information customized to each citizen's unique travel agenda and itinerary. The data citizens provide is secured behind Department of State firewalls, accessed only by cleared personnel in Embassies, Consulates, and the Department of State, and releasable only with the USC's permission under the provisions of the Privacy Act.
A Reminder about Hong Kong Customs Regulations - Prohibited Items
We wish to remind all U.S. citizens visiting or transiting Hong Kong that customs regulations strictly prohibit the importation/exportation of dangerous drugs, psychotropic substances, controlled chemicals, antibiotics, arms, ammunition, fireworks, strategic commodities, rough diamonds, textiles, animals, plants, endangered species, telecommunication equipment, game, meat and poultry into or out of Hong Kong. If any of these prohibited or controlled items are brought into/out of Hong Kong the traveler may be liable to prosecution and the item will be confiscated.
Travelers are liable to prosecution and possible detention if they bring into/out of Hong Kong any firearm or ammunition. Unless otherwise exempted by laws, possession of an "imitation firearm" is also an offence. "Arms" means any firearm, air rifle/air gun/air pistol from which any shot, bullet or missile can be discharged with a muzzle energy greater than two joules, electric stunning device, gun/pistol or other propelling/releasing instrument from or by which a projectile containing any gas or chemical could be discharged, weapon for the discharge of any noxious liquid/gas/powder, and harpoon or spear gun. Paintball guns are included in this category.
Travelers are also liable to prosecution if they bring into/out of Hong Kong any "weapon" which includes Chinese-style throwing dart, gravity knife, gravity-operated steel baton, knuckleduster, Chinese-style fighting iron, spring-loaded steel baton, any knife the blade of which is exposed by a spring or other mechanical/electric device, and any bladed/pointed weapon. Note that many of these items are legally sold to the public in mainland China.
For further information about Hong Kong customs regulations, please consult the following website: www.customs.gov.hk
Subscribing/Unsubscribing
Anyone who wishes to sign up to receive this monthly ACS email newsletter and the travel advice we provide can do so simply by going to our web page at http://www.hongkongacs.com and submit their email address in the fill-in box towards the bottom of the page. You can also unsubscribe through the web page.New subscribers will be sent the last few messages we have sent out in a digest form to help them catch up. Back issues are on the web at <http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov/acs_newsletter.html>.
This newsletter is published by the American Citizens Services Unit, U.S. Consulate General, Hong Kong, tel: 2841-2211, 2841-2323, 2841-2225; fax: 2845-4845; e-mail: acshk@state.gov; website: http://www.hongkongacs.com; All services by online appointment only.
Last modified: October 27, 2006
American Citizens Services
Newsletter
