When U.S. citizens travel or live overseas, American embassies and consulates act as vital lifelines to home. Operated by the U.S. Department of State, these offices provide a wide range of consular services designed to protect, assist, and connect Americans wherever they are in the world.
Below is a detailed overview of the main services available to U.S. citizens abroad.
1. Passport and Citizenship Services
U.S. consulates handle all passport-related matters for Americans overseas, including:
- Issuing and renewing passports for adults and minors.
- Replacing lost or stolen passports, often with same-day emergency travel documents.
- Reporting births abroad, through the issuance of a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA)—an official record proving a child’s U.S. citizenship.
- Documenting and certifying deaths abroad for U.S. citizens.
These services ensure that Americans maintain valid identification and proof of citizenship wherever they live or travel.
2. Emergency Assistance
In times of crisis, U.S. consular officers provide essential help to citizens in distress, including:
- Emergency financial assistance or coordination with family to transfer funds.
- Help during medical emergencies, such as contacting family or recommending local doctors and hospitals.
- Assistance for victims of crime, including support with police reports and guidance on local procedures.
- Crisis evacuation and safety alerts, coordinated through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
- Support for citizens arrested or detained, ensuring they receive fair treatment and access to legal representation.
While the consulate cannot provide bail or act as a lawyer, it ensures that detained Americans’ rights are respected under local law.
3. Notarial and Authentication Services
U.S. embassies and consulates provide limited notarial and document authentication services for U.S. citizens and, in certain cases, foreign nationals needing documents for use in the United States. These include:
- Administering oaths and affirmations.
- Acknowledging signatures on affidavits, powers of attorney, and other legal forms.
- Authenticating U.S. government documents to be recognized in the host country.
Appointments for these services are typically required, and fees are charged according to the official consular schedule.
4. Federal Benefits and Social Security Assistance
Many U.S. embassies and consulates host Federal Benefits Units (FBUs) that assist Americans receiving payments from U.S. government programs. These services include:
- Social Security and Veterans Affairs inquiries.
- Federal pension or benefits applications.
- Medicare enrollment information for eligible overseas citizens.
This ensures continuity of important financial and health benefits while living abroad.
5. Voting Assistance
Even outside the United States, American citizens retain the right to vote. Consulates help citizens:
- Register to vote in their last U.S. state of residence.
- Request and submit absentee ballots through the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP).
- Receive updates on voting deadlines and procedures for each state.
Consular staff can forward completed ballots to the United States if mailed within local deadlines.
6. Legal and Civil Services
While the U.S. government cannot act as a private attorney, consular officers can provide:
- Lists of local lawyers and interpreters.
- Information on legal systems and procedures in the host country.
- Assistance in locating missing persons or in repatriation of remains.
- Letters of introduction or consular verification letters when needed for local authorities.
These services bridge the gap between the U.S. citizen and the foreign legal or administrative systems.
7. Security Information and Crisis Response
Through the U.S. State Department’s STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program), consulates keep citizens informed about:
- Travel advisories, political unrest, natural disasters, or other emergencies.
- Safety alerts and evacuation plans.
- Contact with family members during crises.
By enrolling in STEP, travelers receive timely alerts and make it easier for consular officers to reach them in emergencies.
8. Death, Estate, and Repatriation Services
When a U.S. citizen dies abroad, the consulate:
- Issues a Consular Report of Death Abroad (CRDA), an official U.S. document recognized by government agencies and insurance providers.
- Notifies next of kin and provides guidance on local procedures for burial, cremation, or repatriation of remains.
- Assists with estate documentation and communication with relevant U.S. authorities.
9. Special Consular Services
Depending on the region, additional consular services may include:
- Adoption processing or immigration visa coordination for children adopted abroad.
- Travel advisories and country-specific briefings.
- Assistance for dual nationals navigating both U.S. and local legal obligations.