CI Banco no more US $ Checks

Just got this news for passport renewals for US Citizens:

From Peter Marigliano with the U.S. Consulate about passports:

CI Banco will no longer be issuing dollar checks. They may or may not resume, but at this point they will not provide that service any longer. They did not have any suggestions for how we might be able to do this.We are prohibited from collecting cash on site (at the Legion) and cannot accept personal checks. We are trying to find a work around and will keep you posted.Regardless of what happens, we will do our visit this month to distribute passports to people applied for and to accept whatever applications for people who have already secured a bank check.We will also post a notice on our website.I would appreciate you guys spreading the word and will certainly let you all know how when we have found a solution. Of course, anybody can come to the Consulate in Guadalajara. We do passport renewals and notaries M-Thurs from 2:00 to 2:45 pm. No appointment necessary.Pete

Does Ci Banco still cash US checks?

Thanks for sharing the news!

I am working on a solution for urgent cases who need services next week and my clients will get priority.

The consulate responded to my idea where I asked if I could pay for others, they said no that each person must pay for their service at the time it is requested. I called Actinver who was rumored to issue US Dollar checks, one lady said she thought so and passed me to another lady who said no and I wanted to clarify (as someone posted yes and then one person says yes and another no) and then she was pissy and passed me to another who hung up on me. I called back and asked for the manager and was on hold for a long time and gave up.

No personal checks or cash ?? How did I renew my Passport in Vallarta 6 years ago

Nobody has told Actinver in Ajijic or at least the rude lady


I called Actinver in Guadalajara and they were very nice. They said that yes they do issue checks in US dollars BUT....

You need to have an account with them in US dollars and if you have a peso account then it takes 2 days to buy into the fund (I asked exchange rate and it was 15.80) and then after the buyin is complete it takes 2 days to get a check issued so the reality is that unless you have a US dollar account that you will not be able to get a check in time for the consulates next visit.

We may plan trips within the next 10 days to take people into Guadalajara for renewals and pay so that the consulate can bring their renewed passports on their next trip lakeside.

I know you can pay with Visa or MasterCard for the Canadian passport. Why wouldn't the US consulate accept charge cards too?

I emailed them and asked, I think this is taking everybody by surprise. I have been making calls and emails trying to find ways to solve this issue

CanuckBob wrote:I know you can pay with Visa or MasterCard for the Canadian passport. Why wouldn't the US consulate accept charge cards too?

They do,and they're open for business Monday thru Thursday from 2:00PM to 2:45 PM......

So if they accept charge cards then what is the actual problem here?

They accept charge cards, pesos , dollars and checks but you have to go to Guadalajara.

Jajaja.......the way it was being presented I thought there was now no way for US citizens to pay for a passport. Geeeesh.

us lucky canuckleheads can renew our passports online with credit cards. then we must do a printout and send it to the embassy in mexico city by return courier. don't need to fool around with the "so called" consulate in guadalajara. we can also get a 10 year passport now just like youse guys.

yes it is rather amusing..if I want to renew my passport I can do it by mail and then pick it up in DF so I do feel sorry for people who cannot use US Checks in Ajijic..life is really tough for some..

it's more than amusing. it's SNORKABLE!

brigitte wrote:yes it is rather amusing..if I want to renew my passport I can do it by mail and then pick it up in DF so I do feel sorry for people who cannot use US Checks in Ajijic..life is really tough for some..

Which country's passport are you talking about since you are a Mexican citizen?.....France? USA?

Which country is irrelevant. Obviously I am not a US citizen but if I were I would not cry because I have to go to Guadalajara to get a passport.

brigitte wrote:Which country is irrelevant. Obviously I am not a US citizen but if I were I would not cry because I have to go to Guadalajara to get a passport.

 It is relevant to me if you are talking about your Mexican passport as I have never been able to do it by mail.

I got my Mexican passport in one day in Tuxtla Gutierrez Chiapas. never thought of doing it by mail.

In Guadalajara, at the satellite office on Vallarta, for renewal, you have to turn in your paper work and old passport, and then wait 10 to 14 days to pickup the new one.
No one day service
...... and even Mexicans have to go to Guadalajara, if they live around Chapala, for a new passport.

I was told you could get a one day passport if you go to the Federal Building very early but I would not count on it.
I also was told you can get a passport in 3 or 4 days at the Federal building but a friend of mine applied for a renewal and she got her passport 3 months later...
In Tuxtla Gutierrez we have to make an appointment and do the paperwork on the computer but we get the passport the same day.