Events
Events happening today
-
12
AM
July 03, 2018 10:00 PM July 04, 2018 01:00 AM
This event begins 07/03/2018 and repeats every 2 weeks on Tuesday until 12/25/2018
Repeating Events (Health, Exercise, Sports, Entertainment, Hobby, Dining, etc.) 0 Comments -
2
PM
December 04, 2018 02:00 PM 09:00 PM
U.S. Embassy Panama
American Citizen Services Unit and Regional Federal Benefits Unit
Outreach in Bocas de Toro
U.S. Embassy Panama’s American Citizens Services (ACS) staff will visit Isla Colón, Bocas Del Toro on Tuesday, December 4th, 2018. American Citizens Services Chief Stephanie Espinal will host a brief Town Hall to introduce herself, answer questions, and to hear about your experiences as U.S. citizens living in Bocas Del Toro.
Following the Town Hall, ACS will provide notary services and passport renewals for adults and minors by appointment.
Additionally, representatives from the U.S. Social Security Administration will be available to offer services to beneficiaries or individuals with questions about Social Security. They will also receive Foreign Enforcement Questionnaires (FEQ) and International Direct Deposit enrollment forms.
WHERE,WHEN, AND HOW:
Where: Autoridad de Turismo, Isla Colón, 1st Street next to the Police Station, Bocas del Toro, Panama
When: Tuesday, December 4. Town Hall 9:00-9:30am; Notarial services 9:30am-12pm; Passport renewal services 1-4pm. Social Security Services 9:30am-12pm and 1-4pm.
How: Please register below according to the service that you require:
· For the Town Hall, register here
· For Notarial Services, register here
· For Minor & Adult Passport Renewal or Lost and Stolen Passport Services, register here
· For Social Security Services/Information, register here
HOW TO PAY FOR PASSPORT AND NOTARIAL SERVICES (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY):
The Embassy can only accept payment by local banker’s cashier check (known in Spanish as “Cheque Certificado”) made payable to “U.S. Embassy Panama,” issued within the past five months. Our office has confirmed with the State Department that, unfortunately, we cannot accept cash or credit card payments. The notarial fee is $50 per each signature of the Consular Officer. A list of passport fees can be found here. Other than passport and notarial services, all other services are no-fee.
WHAT TO BRING FOR PASSPORT AND NOTARIAL SERVICES:
Passports:
For passport renewals for minors, in addition to the completed DS-11 application, bring a copy of the photo page of the minor’s passport, a copy of both parents’ passports /cedulas, one recent color photo with a white background that measures 5x5 cm (2X2 inches) and a copy of the minor’s birth certificate, in addition to the original birth certificate and passport/ cedulas. The fee for passport renewal is currently $115.00 for a minor (under 16) and $145.00 (for a minor 16 years of age and older). The minor (under 16) and both parents or guardians must appear in person. If only one parent is present in Panama, the “Statement of Consent from Absent Parent” Form DS-3053, notarized in the United States, is required. Please note that the DS-3053 will not be accepted if notarized in Panama.
For passport renewals for adults, in addition to the completed DS-82 application, bring a copy of the photo page of the adult’s passport, one recent color photo with a white background that measures 5x5 cm (2X2 inches). The fee for passport renewal is currently $110.00. If your passport wasn’t issued within the past 15 years, a DS-11 must be completed instead of a DS-82 and the price will increase to $145.00.
For lost/stolen passports, in addition to the completed DS-11 application and the DS-64 statement regarding a lost or stolen passport, one recent color photo with a white background that measures 5x5 cm (2X2 inches), a Panamanian police report documenting the lost/stolen passport, and documentation of your identity (government-issued identification cards and/or proof of U.S. citizenship). The fee is currently $145 for an adult (over the age of 16) replacement of a lost or stolen passport.
Notarizations: https://pa.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/notaries-public/ is the link with details. If you are requesting the notarization of your driver’s license, bring a photocopy of the front and back page of your license, as well as your license. If you are requesting notarization of benefits documents, bring the original and a copy of the document(s) showing the amount of benefits you receive monthly or annually. The notarial fee is $50.00 for each signature of the Consular Officer.
WHAT TO BRING FOR SOCIAL SECURITY SERVICES (please bring the original and legible copies of all documents to be submitted):
SSA Proof of Life: In June 2018, SSA mailed the questionnaire to beneficiaries receiving their own benefits whose social security number ended in 00 – 49. Please bring the completed form SSA-7162 and your current passport or cedula.
Social Security Benefits: Social Security number of the wage earner and for the applicant, if applicable, birth certificate (copia integra if the applicant was born in Panama) and current passport. Additionally, bring marriage and/or death certificates if applying for auxiliary benefits or survivor’s benefits.
Medicare Enrollment/Cancellation: To enroll in Medicare, you should complete and sign form CMS-40B and to cancel your enrollment please complete and sign form CMS-2690. You should have your Social Security number and your current Passport.
Social Security Replacement Card: Bring your current U.S. passport and completed form SS-5FS.
Social Security Card for a child under age 12: Bring your current U.S. passport for one of the parents and for the child; the child’s Consular Report of Birth Abroad or original birth certificate (copia integra if the child was born in Panama) and completed form SS-5FS.
Change of Address for Social Security: Bring your social security number and current passport or cedula.
International Direct Deposit Enrollment: If you wish to enroll or change from bank, please send an e-mail to FBU.CostaRica@SSA.Gov to request the form that you will need to take to the bank of your choice.
General inquiries: Please bring your social security number and your current U.S. passport or cedula. The best way to contact the Regional Social Security Office is by using their online form: http://cr.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/social-security/fbu-inquiry-form/ or by sending an e-mail to: FBU.CostaRica@SSA.Gov. Please include in your e-mail your complete name, social security number, and a telephone number where you can be reached.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Sincerely,
American Citizen Services Unit
U.S. Embassy in Panama
Assistance:
U.S. Embassy Panama City, Panama
507-317-5000
Panama-ACS@state.gov
https://pa.usembassy.gov/
State Department - Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
Panama Country Information
Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
Community Events Calendar 0 Comments -
3
PM
December 04, 2018 03:30 PM 05:00 PM
Tuesday, December 4 – Doctor Wong, Director of Hospital Cooperativo and members of the hospital staff will present information about the hospital and its medical discount plan. A native English-speaking translator will provide clear, understandable interpretation.
Hospital Cooperativo is the only non-profit private hospital in Panama. There are around twenty doctors affiliated with the hospital plus psychologists and nutritionists. Recent additions include new consulting rooms, a new pharmacy location and a new outpatient surgery clinic.
Insurance is rather expensive for seniors (if available at all), but this plan will allow low costs for most normal medical care, and the money saved by not paying insurance premiums can be set aside for larger expenses.
It has already-low prices made even lower by annual membership in the discount plan for $120 per person per year
Renewals for existing members and new sign-ups for the plan may be processed immediately after the meeting.
Community Events Calendar 0 Comments -
7
PM
December 04, 2018 07:00 PM
Calling all SINGERS, DANCERS, ACTORS AND EXTRAS - OPEN AUDITIONS FOR THE BCP'S MUSICAL: "100 YEARS OF MUSICALS"
MONDAY, DECEMBER 3rd 1:00PM
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4th 2:00PM
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5th 10:00 AM
performance to be held in March 2019!
Community Events Calendar 0 Comments
-
Recent Event Reviews
-
BCP Holiday Open House
By Moderator_02,
-
Community Christmas Party Hosted by Amigos de Boquete Comunidad
By Moderator_02,
The party was planned and executed by a recently formed group of expats under the name of Amigos de Boquete Comunidad (ABC). Joe Hart and his wife, Linda, along with numerous volunteers put together this festive gathering. Our hats off to Joe, Linda, and all of their elves.
Here are a few pictures from this event:
A panorama shot of some of the attendees.
The Christmas tree, prior to all of the gifts being received that were to be donated.
The Mariachi Band
Linda and Joe Hart, Dave and Erin Ross
Special guests at the table with Joe and Linda Hart.
-
ARF Thanksgiving Meal
By Bud,
An unexpected plus for us was that we finally got to meet Beth Abrahams (it is kind of a long story, don't ask).
Beth Abrahams
We also got to catch up with all of the latest travels and happenings of our friends who were at our table. Met a few new people, etc.
There simply was nothing that we could fault (not our goal anyway). This is the way things should be done, and ARF did it with all of their wonderful volunteers. If someone found fault with something yesterday, then I would chalk them off as being a token curmudgeon. Thank you ARF! GREAT JOB!!!!
Thank you to all who helped make yesterday's Thanksgiving Day celebration such a huge success, and special thanks to N&N:
I will close with: we all have a lot to be thankful for.
-
One Night in India
By JudyS,
-
Plein Air Painters Art Exhibiton Opening Reception
By Mary Ellen Watts,
-