The Swedish embassy in Washington announced on Feb. 12 that Swedish citizens seeking a new passport or to renew an old one must do so at the embassy due to the presence of the equipment necessary to include the required biometric technology.

According to the announcement, the Swedish consulate in Atlanta is unable to provide these services, but a mobile passport station is to visit Atlanta Sept. 16-17 to enable Swedish citizens living in the area to obtain or renew passports with the necessary biometrics.

Swedish citizens who wish to avail themselves of the mobile service are requested to send an email to atlanta@consulateofsweden.org using the subject line Atlanta Appointment Request with the name, email address and cell phone number of each applicant.

Appointment requests are only to be processed by email. Phone requests are specifically forbidden.

Sweden began issuing biometric passports in October 2005, the second European country following Belgium, which first issued such passports in November 2004, but ahead of Germany, which began in November 2005.

Among the reasons for the switch over to the biometric passports was the desire to comply with the U.S. Visa Waiver program requiring the biometrics.

Any questions concerning the passport application process are to be directed to the embassy by calling 202-467-2600.