Sudanese passports are valid for ten years, but need to be renewed every two years during this period (Sudan 14 Feb. 2007; ibid. n.d.a; ibid. n.d.b). To renew a Sudanese passport outside of Sudan, the holder must submit the following to a Sudanese Embassy: a completed application form signed by the applicant; one passport photograph; and the appropriate renewal fees (ibid.; ibid. n.d.a). In a 14 February 2007 telephone interview, an official at the Embassy of the Republic of Sudan in Canada indicated that persons renewing their passports within Sudan must submit the required documentation and fees to the country's Ministry of Interior Affairs.

According to the Web site of the Embassy of the Republic of Sudan in Canada, in order to be exempt from paying a Sudanese national tax, students renewing their passport must also submit a letter from their university or school indicating that they are full-time students (ibid.; ibid. n.d.b). The Web site also notes that "housewives" renewing their passports must also submit a copy of their marriage certificate, "if the occupation on the passport is not listed as housewife" (ibid. n.d.a).

Once a Sudanese passport has reached its ten-year expiry date, an application must be made for a new passport (Sudan n.d.a; ibid. n.d.c). Applicants are required to submit their old Sudanese passport, a completed application form signed by the applicant, national tax payments and four photographs of themselves (ibid.; see also Sudan n.d.a). Students and "housewives" are required to submit the same documentation as required for passport renewals, as described above (ibid.; ibid. n.d.c).

To replace a lost or stolen Sudanese passport, applicants must submit a police report and a copy of the old passport or a copy of the nationality certificate (ibid.; ibid. n.d.a). According to the Official at the Embassy of Sudan in Canada, there is now a computerized passport system in Sudan, which allows officials to verify the information and photographs of passport holders (14 Feb. 2007).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Sudan. 14 February 2007. Embassy of the Republic of Sudan, Ottawa. Telephone interview with an official.

_____. N.d.a. Embassy of the Republic of Sudan, Ottawa. "Passport Services." http://www.sudanembassy.ca/passportServices.htm [Accessed 9 Feb. 2007]

_____. N.d.b. Embassy of the Republic of Sudan, Washington, DC. "Passport Renewal Requirements." http://www.sudanembassy.org/default.asp?page=passportrenewal [Accessed 9 Feb. 2007]

_____. N.d.c. Embassy of the Republic of Sudan, Washington, DC. "New Passport Requirements." http://www.sudanembassy.org/default.asp?page=newpassport [Accessed 9 Feb. 2007]

Internet sites, including: European Country of Origin Information Network (ecoi.net)

Factiva, Sudan - Embassy of the Republic of Sudan in Washington, United Kingdom Home Office, United States Department of State.