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LIVING OVERSEAS
HELP FROM THE U.S. GOVERNMENT
Assistance From American Consuls
U.S. consular officers are located in over 260 foreign service
posts abroad. They are available to advise and help you, especially
if you are in any kind of serious trouble. In addition, consular
agents in approximately 46 foreign cities without U.S. embassies
or consulates provide a limited range of emergency and other consular
services.
Consular officers are responsive to the needs of Americans traveling
or residing abroad. However, the majority of their time is devoted
to assisting Americans who are in serious legal, medical, or financial
difficulties. They can provide the names of local doctors, dentists,
medical specialists, and attorneys, and give you information about
any dangerous or unusual situations. Consular officers also perform
non-emergency services, including information on absentee voting,
selective service registration, and acquisition and loss of U.S.
citizenship. They can arrange for the transfer of Social Security
and other U.S. government benefits to beneficiaries residing abroad,
provide U.S. tax forms, and notarize documents. They may also
provide information on how to obtain foreign public documents.
Because of the limited number of consular officers and the growing
number of U.S. tourists and residents abroad, consuls cannot provide
tourism or commercial services. For example, consuls cannot perform
the work of travel agencies, lawyers, information bureaus, banks,
or the police. They cannot find you jobs, get residence or driving
permits, act as interpreters, search for missing luggage, or settle
commercial disputes.
Registration at U.S. Embassies or Consulates
As soon as you arrive at your permanent residence abroad, you
should register in person or by telephone with the nearest U.S.
embassy or consulate. Registration will make your presence and
whereabouts known in case it is necessary to contact you in an
emergency. In accordance with the Privacy Act, information on
your welfare or whereabouts may not be released to inquirers without
your expressed written authorization. If you register in person,
you should bring your U.S. passport with you. Your passport data
will be recorded at the embassy or consulate, thereby making it
easier for you to apply for a replacement passport should it be
lost or stolen.
Missing Persons
When a U.S. citizen abroad loses contact with friends or relatives
in the United States, the U.S. consul is often requested to give
information about that individual's welfare and whereabouts. Similar
requests often come from American private and official welfare
organizations attempting, for example, to track down an errant
parent who failed to make child support payments. The U.S. consul
tries to comply with such requests after determining carefully
the reasons for the inquiry. If the consul has the address of
the U.S. citizen about whom the inquiry is being made, the consul
will inform the American of the inquirer's interest in getting
in touch with them and pass on any urgent messages. Consistent
with the Privacy Act, the consul then reports back to the inquirer
the results of their search efforts. Except in emergency situations,
the consul will not release any details about a U.S. citizen's
welfare and whereabouts without the citizens expressed consent.
Helpful Information for Americans Arrested Abroad
When living abroad, you are subject to local--i.e. foreign--laws.
If you experience difficulties with the local authorities, remember
American officials are limited by foreign laws, U.S. regulations,
and geography as to what they can do to assist you. The U.S. government
cannot fund your legal fees or other related expenses.
Should you find yourself in a dispute that may lead to police
or legal action, consult the nearest U.S. consular officer. Although
consular officers cannot get you out of jail, serve as your attorneys
or give legal advice, they can provide lists of local attorneys
and help you find legal representation. However, neither the Department
of State nor U.S. embassies or consulates can assume any responsibility
for the caliber, competence, or professional integrity of these
attorneys.
If you are arrested, immediately ask to speak to the consular
officer at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Under international
agreements and practice, you have a right to get in touch with
the U.S. consul. If you are turned down, keep asking--politely,
but persistently.
Consular officers will do whatever they can to protect your
legitimate interests and ensure that you are not discriminated
against under local law. Upon learning of your arrest, a U.S.
consular officer will visit you, provide a list of local attorneys
and, if requested, contact family and friends. In cases of arrest,
consuls can help transfer money, food, and clothing from your
family and friends to you. They also try to get relief if you
are held under inhumane or unhealthy conditions or treated less
equitably than others in the same situation.
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