Finnish Passport Machine To Be Available For Upper Midwestern Finns

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Typically, if a Finnish citizen in the United States needs to renew his or her passport, he or she has to travel to the Consulate Office or the Embassy – either in New York, Los Angeles or Washington D.C.

But on November 1-2, Finns living in the Upper Midwest will have an opportunity to renew their passports without the cross-country trek, because the Finnish government’s passport machine will be available in Minneapolis. Honorary Consul of Finland Marianne Wargelin of Minneapolis is hosting the machine for the two days and is taking appointments at this time; she can be reached at 612-374-2718 or kmwargelin@comcast.net.

The passport machine allows for more convenient renewal of existing passports, or for obtaining the first passport for children who are registered as Finnish citizens. It’s increasingly rare, though, due to travel logistics difficulties, for the passport machine to be put to use in Finnish-American communities, so those needing services of this type are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity.

Also, Finnish citizens in the Upper Midwest should know that Minneapolis will also host an official polling site for the 2018 Finnish Presidential Elections; the primary elections are set for mid-January 2018, with the final election slated for Super Bowl weekend. For more information about this opportunity, contact Wargelin using the information listed above.