U.S. CITIZEN SERVICES

The Consular Section at the American Embassy in Tbilisi provides a range of services to American citizens in Georgia. The information presented below is designed to help you understand some of the more important services the Consular Section can offer. Please call us at the following phone number: (995- 32) 98-99-67 or stop in to see us in person for more details on these or other services.

Registration

All U.S. citizens residing in Georgia are encouraged to register with the Embassy's Consular Section. American citizens visiting Georgia for short periods may also register. Registrations allow us to:

- replace your passport quickly if it is lost or stolen

- contact you in case your relatives need to pass you an emergency message

- release information about you or your whereabouts to family or friends you wish to designate in a Privacy Act Waiver

To register, present your U.S. passport at the Consular Section and complete a registration form. There is no charge.

If you will be in Georgia for several months, we may ask you to volunteer to be a warden to help us in the distribution of information to the American community in Georgia as well as to contact Americans in case of a major emergency. Alternatively, download the registration form and fax it with a copy of your passport to 92-29-53.

Download Registration Form

To register and submit your consular registration form online visit the following website: https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs

Consular Information Sheets

The State Department maintains Consular Information Sheets on every country of the world, providing basic information on travel conditions and contact information for American Embassies and Consulates. This information can be found on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov/. You may also read or receive a copy of any Consular Information Sheet, including Georgia's, at the Consular Section. The Consular Section also maintains current information on travel advisories issued by the State Department.

Passport Services

Americans should safeguard passports as they would any other valuable. If your passport is lost or stolen in Georgia, come to the Consular Section
during American Citizens Service public hours to apply for a replacement. If you need to renew your passport, you may also come to the Consular Section
between 3:00 - 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday to apply for a new passport.

In order to issue an American passport, we must have proof of identity and citizenship. If you are renewing a valid or recently expired passport, your
passport will serve as proof of both identity and citizenship. Otherwise to prove your identity, you need to provide two forms of photo ID, such as a
driver's license. To prove citizenship, you need to provide a certified copy of your birth certificate, certificate of naturalization or other
similar documents. All passport applicants must provide two identical 2" x 2" photos in either color or black and white.

American citizens residing or traveling abroad who require issuance of a U.S. passport will be issued the latest, state-of-the-art passport
incorporating a photo-digitized image and other enhanced security features. U.S. Embassies and Consulates will achieve this goal by transferring the
passport issuance function to a domestic U.S. passport facility. This will increase processing times, but the Department of State is committed to
ensuring that American citizens receive secure documents in a timely manner. American citizens are encouraged to apply early as it takes at least two
weeks processing time.

In the event of a true emergency, the consular section can still issue limited validity passports, which cannot be extended. Bearers will be
required, however, to exchange their limited validity passports for a full-validity photo-digitized passport upon completion of their emergency
travel, both through passport facilities in the U.S. and U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad. Only one fee will be assessed in such cases.

Current fees are $55 for adult renewals, $85 to replace adult lost and stolen passports, and $70 for all minor passports.

Notarials

A Consular Officer can notarize certain documents for use in the United States. Please read a Notary flyer for more details.

Family Emergencies in the United States

If your family needs to contact you because of an emergency at home or because they are worried about your welfare and can not reach you directly, they may call the State Department's Citizens Emergency Center at (202) 647-5225. The State Department will relay the message to the Consular Section. We will try to locate you to pass on the message, and, consistent with the Privacy Act, will report back to your family. Registering with the Consular Section upon arrival greatly facilitates our ability to locate you in the event of an emergency.

Deaths of American Citizens

All deaths of American citizens in Georgia should be reported to the Consular Section as soon as possible. The Consular Officer will notify the deceased's next-of-kin and inform him or her about options and costs for shipping or burying the remains. If the next-of-kin wishes, the Consular Officer can act as his or her representative with local authorities. Costs of preparing and returning remains to the U.S. are high and must be paid in advance by the family. The Consular Section will prepare the necessary documents if the family chooses to have the remains returned to the U.S. The Consular Section also prepares a Consular Report of Death, based on the Georgian death certificate, which can be used in the U.S. to settle estate and other matters.

Civil Disturbances and Disasters

If you are caught in a natural disaster or civil disturbance, you will want to let your relatives know as soon as possible that you are safe. You may contact the Consular Section, which will try to pass a message to your family through the State Department. U.S. officials will do everything they can to contact and advise you. Priority will be given to helping Americans who have been hurt or are in immediate danger.

U.S. Taxes

As a U.S. citizen or resident alien, your worldwide income is generally subject to U.S. income tax. The Consular Section has almost all Federal IRS tax forms and publications on a CD-ROM for your use. We can also provide you with the addresses of state tax departments where you may write for individual state tax forms. We can not, however, offer tax advice.

Steps for the Immigration of a Foreign Spouse and Foreign Stepchildren

Only an American can file an Immigrant Visa Petition for a foreign spouse and stepchildren at the U.S. Embassy, Tbilisi, Monday through Friday from 3 to 5 p.m. If the petition is approved, a number documents must be presented and then the Beneficiary must travel to Moscow for final immigration processing at the U.S. Embassy. We will set up the appointment day for you. For more details on the procedure please read a separate document on our site at Visas for Immediate Family.

Absentee Voting

The Consular Section has information on how to register and apply for absentee ballots for federal and state elections. There are Voting Assistance Officers at every US Embassy and Consulate. You can visit the Consular Section to complete and submit a Federal Post Card Application, or you can do it all online by visiting the Federal Voting Assistance Program website at http://www.fvap.gov. Keep in mind that you must apply early to vote by absentee ballot.

Online Absentee Voting Help

Registering a Birth

A child born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent usually acquires U.S. citizenship at birth. Parents should contact the Consular Section as soon as possible after the child's birth. Several documents are required for the issuance of a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, which becomes the child. s proof of U.S. citizenship and can be used to receive a U.S. passport.

Arrests

If you are arrested, you should immediately ask the authorities to notify the Consular Section. While the Consular Section cannot necessarily have you released, since you are subject to Georgia. s laws while in Georgia, we can help protect your interests and ensure that you are not discriminated against. We can also visit you, provide a list of local attorneys, and, if you choose, contact your friends and relatives on your behalf. We can sometimes transfer money, food, and clothing to prison authorities from your family or friends.

Disputes With Georgian Authorities

While you are in Georgia, you are subject to Georgian laws and regulations, which are often quite different from U.S. laws and regulations. If, however, Georgian authorities discriminate against you because you are an American or treat you unfairly in comparison with Georgian citizens, we can intervene on your behalf. Please keep in mind that while our intervention may help, only Georgian authorities have the power to resolve such disputes.

Private Legal Disputes

The U.S. Embassy cannot become involved in private legal disputes, such as those between you and a Georgian business partner. In these circumstances, we recommend you retain an attorney. The Consular Section maintains a list of local attorneys who have told us they are willing to represent American citizens.

Marriage in Georgia

If you plan to get married in Georgia, you must plan ahead. There are several documents you will need to obtain both in the U.S. and Georgia. Please read a separate document on our web site, describing the procedure in more details at Marriage. The Consular Section can provide you with additional information and forms.

Sending Money to Americans Overseas

The State Department strongly encourages you to use commercial services, such as credit card advances, ATMs or Western Union. These services are generally much faster than the State Department transfer system. If you cannot use a commercial service, the State Department will help you transfer money to a U.S. citizen suffering a financial emergency abroad. When you use this service, we establish a trust account in the recipient's name and send the money overseas. We charge a $30 processing fee. Remember this service is only for emergencies.

How to Obtain a Police Certificate in Georgia

Where to apply

Police certificates are available in Georgia. The Information Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs maintains a centralized database of police and prison records indexed by name, date, place of birth. The records also contain fingerprints of convicted persons. The records are maintained at: Ministry of Internal Affairs, Information Center, 8 Gulua St., Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia (point of contact: Mr. Ghia Chanturidze, first floor, room #2, tel. +995 (32) 99 15 82).

How to apply

Individuals living in Tbilisi may obtain police and prison records free of charge upon direct application to the Ministry of Internal Affairs within five working days. Individuals complete an application form which includes information on their full name including patronymic and their Georgian personal identification number. Persons living outside of Tbilisi or outside of Georgia can apply by proxy (e.g. relative in Tbilisi) or through the mail with a written request stating the type of record required and the purpose for which the information is being sought. Please include a return address for mailing of the certificate.

If a person has a criminal record, police may prefer to send the information directly to the requesting office. A court record of a sentence is available, while criminal investigation and court trial records are unavailable.