AMERICAN
CITIZENS SERVICES
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American Citizen Services are available
at the following locations:
American Citizens Services
Consular Section Embassy of the United States of America
Embassy of the United States of America
2780 Avenida Arce
La Paz, Bolivia
Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Telephone:
During normal business hours, 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.: 591-2-243-3812
Emergencies after hours: 591-2-243-0251
Fax: 591-2-243-3854
Email: consularlapaz@state.gov
Consular
Agency, Santa Cruz
Calle Guemes 6
Barrio Equipetrol
Santa Cruz, Bolivia
Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Telephone: 591-2-226-3842 or 333-0725
Fax: 591-3-332-5544
Consular
Agency, Cochabamba
Avenida Oquendo 654
Torres Sofer, Room 601
Cochabamba, Bolivia
Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Telephone: 591-4-411-6313
Fax: 591-4-425-6714
Please
note that the Consular Agencies in Santa Cruz and Cochabamba provide
services to American Citizens and provide visa information; however,
the Consular Agencies do not take visa applications, handle visa
cases, or issue visas to the United States.
Services
for Americans living in Bolivia include the following:
Assistance
in finding medical help
If you become sick or hurt, you can contact a consular officer
for a list of local doctors, dentists, and medical specialists.
If
you are injured or become seriously ill, a consul will help you
find medical assistance and, at your request, inform your family
or friends.
Assistance
in getting funds
Should
you lose all your money and other financial resources, consular
officers can help you contact your family, bank, or employer to
arrange for them to send you money.
Help
in an emergency
In
the event that your family needs to reach you because of an emergency
at home or because they are worried about your welfare they should
call the State Department's Citizens Emergency Center at (202)
647-5225. The State Department will relay the message to consular
officers in the country in which you are traveling. Consular officers
will try to locate you, pass on urgent messages, and, consistent
with the Privacy Act, report back to your family.
Visit
in jail
If
you are arrested, you should ask the authorities to notify a U.S.
Consul. Consuls cannot get you out of jail. You are in a foreign
country and are subject to its laws. However, Consuls can work
to protect your legitimate interests and ensure that you are treated
the same as Bolivian prisoners. They can provide a list of local
attorneys, visit you, and contact your family and friends.
Making
arrangements after the death of an American citizen
When
an American dies abroad, a consular officer notifies the American's
family and informs them of options and costs for disposition of
remains. Costs for preparing and returning a body to the U.S.
are high and must be paid by the family.
Notarizations
Notarization
services can be provided for a fee of $30.00 for each document.
Adoption
of Children in Bolivia
An
American wishing to adopt a Bolivian child should consult the
Visa Officer to discuss both American and Bolivian administrative
and legal requirements. Adoption in Bolivia is a lengthy and complex
process. Bolivian judicial and administrative requirements are
numerous. The U.S. visa requirements are also somewhat complex.
Afternoon appointments are made to discuss adoption procedures.
For general information see http://travel.state.gov/adoption_bolivia.html
The
consular section can also:
-
issue a Consular Report of Birth of an American citizen Abroad;
-
distribute federal benefit payments;
- handle personal estates of deceased U.S. citizens;
- assist with absentee voting and Selective Service registration;
- provide U.S. tax forms;
Consular
officers cannot act as travel agents, banks, lawyers, investigators,
or law enforcement officers. Please do not expect them to find
you employment, get you residence or driving permits, act as interpreters,
search for missing luggage, or settle disputes with hotel managers.
They can, however, tell you how to get help on these and other
matters. In order to allow the consular section to better help
and serve you, please register with the Embassy or a Consular
Agency as soon as you arrive in Bolivia or register on-line by
filling out the American Citizens
Registration Form .
Please
see links below for additional information for American Citizens:
Consular
birth, death and marriage records information
Tips
for Travelers to Central and South America
Medical
Resources List
Passport
Services
American
Citizens Services
Preparing
for a Crisis Abroad
Obtaining
Copies of Consular Records
USEFUL
SITES
www.travel.state.gov
-- The official Web Site of the Bureau of Consular Affairs. Contains
useful information for both U.S. citizens and foreign visa applicants.
www.ins.usdoj.gov
-- The official Web Site of the Immigration and Naturalization
Service. An excellent resource for both immigrant and nonimmigrant
visas. Especially useful for H1B employment visas.
www.cdc.gov
-- The Centers for Disease Control. Contains both health information
for travelers as well as "Where to Write for Vital Records",
designed to assist people who need U.S. birth and death certificates.
www.irs.gov
-- Official site of the Internal Revenue Service. Online access
to tax forms and information.
www.fvap.gov
-- Federal Voting Assitance Program. This site provides both federal
and state voting information for U.S. citizens living overseas.
www.tsa.gov
or www.tsatraveltips.us
-- The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regularly
updates security information related to travel to and in the United
States. Please check the TSA website for up to date information
on new airport secruity measures in the United States. The website
includes a list of timesaving tips, information on assistance
for special needs, the latest list of prohibited and permitted
items and other information that will help guide you smoothly
through the security process.
E-mail:
consularlapaz@state.gov
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