New Belize Passport Office inaugurated in Chicago

Deputy Prime Minister Vega inaugurates new Passport Office at the Consulate of Belize in Chicago, Illinois-Press Release - Belmopan, 15th October, 2010 - Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega today formally opened a new facility within the Honorary Consulate of Belize in Chicago, Illinois, United States of America. This facility is equipped to enable Belizeans in the area to apply for new machine readable passports. The new facility will serve thousands of Belizeans in the Chicago metro area who need to apply for passport renewals, and who previously had to travel very long distances to offices in New York, Washington, DC or Los Angeles to have access to these services.
During a small formal ceremony attended by several Belizean Community Leaders from Chicago, representatives of the Embassy of Belize in Washington, DC, and from the Consulate of Belize in Chicago, the Deputy Prime Minister stated that expanding and improving the Consular services to the Belizean Community overseas was an important element of the Diaspora Initiative, through which the Government of Belize has sought to reengage the Belizean community overseas in a strategic partnership for the development of our country.

The new office will be open to the public initially on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and all applicants will be received by appointment only. Depending on the demand, the office will also open on certain Saturdays. Belizeans wishing to make an appointment should contact Mrs. Debbie Schell, Honorary Consul of Belize in Chicago, at telephone number 847 759 9833. The Honorary Consulate of Belize in Chicago is located at 780 Lee Street, Suite 109, Des Plaines, Illinois, 60016.