US embassy cable - 04MADRID4850

UNCLAS MADRID 004850 
 
SIPDIS 
 
For CA/VO/F/P: MBTATUCH; EUR/WE SBOWMAN 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: CVIS, CMGT, SP, AN 
SUBJECT: VALIDITY OF PASSPORTS BEYOND THEIR EXPIRATION 
DATES:  SPAIN, ANDORRA, and WESTERN SAHARA 
 
REF: STATE 261966 
 
1. (SENSITIVE) SPAIN:   MFA confirms that Spanish 
citizens have the right to enter Spain regardless of 
the validity (or absence) of passport or other identity 
documents.  Since Spain has been maintaining a database 
of Spanish nationals, including biometric elements, for 
over 150 years, the Spanish National Police have a 
mechanism for confirming the identity of Spanish 
citizens.  For the purposes of INA 212(a)(7)(B)(small 
i)(I), Spain should be included in the list of 
countries listed in 9 FAM 41.104 N2.1, which recognize 
passports as valid for return for a period of six 
months beyond the expiration date. 
 
2. ANDORRA:  The Andorran government does accept the 
return of their citizens with expired passports for a 
period of six months beyond the expiration date 
specified in the passport.  The Andorran government 
does not have an agreement with the United States. 
For the purposes of INA 212(a)(7)(B)(small i)(I), 
Andorra should be included in the list of countries 
listed in 9 FAM 41.104 N2.1, which recognize passports 
as valid for return for a period of six months beyond 
the expiration date. 
 
3.  WESTERN SAHARA:  There are no passports issued by 
Western Sahara. 
 
MANZANARES