Consular Notification and Access
Instructions for Federal, State, and other Local Law Enforcement and Other Officials Regarding Foreign Nationals in the United States andthe Rights of Consular Officials To Assist Them These web pages contain instructions and guidance relating to the arrest and detention of foreign nationals, deaths of foreign nationals, the appointment of guardians for minors or incompetent adults who are foreign nationals, and related issues pertaining to the provision of consular services to foreign nationals in the United States. These web pages are designed to help ensure that foreign governments can extend appropriate consular services to their nationals in the United States and that the United States complies with its legal obligations to such governments. The instructions and guidance herein should be followed by all federal, state, and local government officials, whether law enforcement, judicial, or other, insofar as they pertain to foreign nationals subject to such officials' authority or to matters within such officials' competence. The continued cooperation of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in ensuring that foreign nationals in the United States are treated in accordance with these instructions will permit the United States to comply with its consular legal obligations domestically. It will also help ensure that the United States can insist upon rigorous compliance by foreign governments with respect to United States citizens abroad. The Department of State appreciates the assistance of all law enforcement officials in helping to achieve these objectives. If you have questions not addressed on this site, write or call: | Office of Public Affairs and Policy Coordination for Consular Affairs
CA/P, Room 4800
U.S. Department of State
Washington, D.C. 20520
Telephone: 202-647-4415; Fax: 202-736-7559
Email: consnot@state.gov |
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For urgent telephone inquiries after normal business hours, you may call the State Department Operations Center at 202-647-1512. The Department of State updates this publication periodically. Click here for information on ordering consular notification booklets, pocket cards and other training resource materials, or, to request free training by the State Department on consular notification.
| Note that the instructions in this booklet are in addition to those pertaining to the treatment of foreign diplomatic and consular officers. For information on the treatment of such officers, see the Department of State publication titled Diplomatic and Consular Immunity: Guidance for Law Enforcement and Judicial Authorities. Click here for information on ordering this publication. |
Table of Contents Part One: Basic Instructions Part Two: Detailed Instructions Part Three: Frequently Asked Questions Part Four: Translations of Suggested Statements | How To Use the Translations
Arabic optional, Arabic mandatory
Cambodian optional
Chinese optional, Chinese mandatory
Creole optional
Farsi optional, Farsi mandatory
French optional, French mandatory
German optional, German mandatory
Italian optional, Italian mandatory
Japanese optional, Japanese mandatory
Korean optional, Korean mandatory
Laotian optional
Polish optional, Polish mandatory
Portuguese optional, Portuguese mandatory
Russian optional, Russian mandatory
Spanish optional, Spanish mandatory
Thai optional
Vietnamese optional, Vietnamese mandatory We have a 2' by 3' poster with the notification wording in many languages that you can have printed and display in your facility. You can download the poster here. |
Part Five: Legal Material Part Six: Embassies and Consulates Go to Main Consular Affairs Page |
