Citizen Services
Contacting an American Citizen Overseas
In case of emergency or because of concern about a U.S. citizen's welfare, interested parties should call the State Department’s Citizens' Services Emergency Center, which operates 24 hours a day, at (202) 647-5225. The State Department can relay the message to consular officers in the country where the person is traveling. Consular officers will try to locate the person, pass on urgent messages, and, if the person authorizes, report back to family or friends.
For more information on "welfare and whereabout requests", click here.
Consular officers cannot act as lawyers, tax advisors, investigators, banks, law enforcement officers, or travel agents. Please do not expect them to find you employment, get you residence or driving permits, act as interpreters, search for missing luggage, or help you settle disputes with hotel managers. They can, however, tell you how to get help with these and other matters.