NOTE: External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views contained therein.
| The State Department web site below is a permanent electronic archive of information released prior to January 20, 2001. Please see www.state.gov for material released since President George W. Bush took office on that date. This site is not updated so external links may no longer function. Contact us with any questions about finding information. NOTE: External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views contained therein. |
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Guide to U.S. Department
of State The Department of State is the lead foreign affairs agency of the U.S. Government. We are strongly committed to providing foreign policy information to the American public that can help make policy decisions more understandable and assist with the international impact of a changing world. The State Department offers services ranging from helping Americans prepare for trips overseas to assisting U.S. businesses in developing markets. We hope that the following list of resources helps guide you to services within the U.S. Department of State. If you cannot find what you need, please contact the Bureau of Public Affairs at: |
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| The general/locator telephone number for the Department is: 202-647-4000 (24-hour number). | |
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Key State Department InformationPostal Address:
2201 C St., NW On the World Wide Web:
http://secretary.state.gov By Fax:
Consular Affairs: 202-647-3000 On the Phone:
General/Locator Number: 202-647-4000 (24-hour number) Federal Information Relay Services (FIRS) acts as a telephone intermediary between hearing individuals and deaf, hard-of-hearing, and speech-impaired individuals for nationwide communication with and within the Federal Government. To access FIRS via voice or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD), call 1-800-877-8339. Public Affairs: 202-647-6575 Tours: 202-647-3241 or fax to 202-736-4232 Consular Affairs:
Requests for Department Speakers:
Freedom of Information: 202-647-6070 or fax to 202-261-8580 Document Authentication: 1-800-688-9889 Publications sold by U.S. Government Printing Office: 202-512-1800 or fax requests to 202-512-2250
Foreign Policy Information On-LineThe Secretary of State: http://secretary.state.govYou can directly access all the speeches, testimonies, and other remarks by Secretary Madeleine K. Albright under "What the Secretary Has Been Saying" at http://secretary.state.gov. Follow the Secretary around the world under "Travels With the Secretary," where you can read everything released on her foreign trips as well as press kits prepared in advance. Under "Reaching Out to Americans," you can find the Secretary's speeches during her visits to cities within the U.S. as well as the State Department's town meeting schedule. "Meet the Secretary" includes her biography, a fact sheet on the Secretary of State's duties, an interview on "60 Minutes," and a web chat with students. From the web site, you also can click on the Secretary's email address (secretary@state.gov) and send her your opinion on foreign policy. The Bureau of Public Affairs reviews all emails sent to this address and responds on behalf of the Secretary.Main State Department Homepage: http://www.state.govThe Department of State Foreign Affairs Network (DOSFAN) is a one-stop World Wide Web site for a wide variety of foreign policy and other information from the U.S. Department of State. This main web page guides you to information on foreign policy, Department contacts and organization, travel and consular information, support for U.S. businesses, procurement, careers, links to available web sites of our embassies overseas, and much more.You may automatically receive via email full texts of speeches, testimony, press briefings, and Background Notes, perdiem rates, as well as notifications about travel warnings by subscribing to DOSFAN LISTSERV(R)s. For information on the LISTSERV(R)s and how to subscribe to any of them, see http://www.state.gov/www/listservs.html. DOSFAN is a cooperative arrangement between the Bureau of Public Affairs, U.S. Department of State, and the federal depository library at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). The Office of Electronic Information, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages the information provided on the web site, and UIC provides technical and reference support. Please send emails of foreign policy opinions and questions to AskPublicAffairs@state.gov. For technical problems, email doswork@uic.edu. Digital Diplomacy for Students. This special site for students in elementary, middle, and high school features five sections: Learn About the State Department, Meet the Secretary of State, Social Studies, Career Exploration, and Arts at State, and is on the Internet at http://www.state.gov/www/regions_digital.html. Under Social Studies, the Department launched its most exciting component for students and teachers, the Geographic Learning Site, early this year. Designed to assist in the teaching of geography and foreign affairs to students in grades K-12, this learning site demonstrates how geography can assist students in better understanding the dynamics that shape foreign affairs. This site can be accessed at http://geography.state.gov/htmls/plugin.html.
Publications and Directories Sold by the U.S. Government Printing OfficeThe U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) continues to offer the following subscription and single-issue publications. These publications also are available through federal depository libraries throughout the United States, and many appear on the Department's web site at http://www.state.gov/www/outreach_publications.html. For sales information, contact the:
Superintendent of Documents Government Printing Office Bookstore Background Notes. These handy guides provide information on a country's leaders, politics, economy, and relations with the U.S. Background Notes appear on the Department's web site at http://www.state.gov/www/background_notes/. Foreign Relations Series. This historical record of American foreign policy is produced by the State Department's Office of the Historian. First published in 1861, Foreign Relations of the United States preserves a key part of American history in more than 350 individual volumes. Each volume documents the major foreign policy decisions and diplomatic activity of the U.S. Government and contains declassified records from the White House, the Department of State, and other foreign affairs agencies. Some FRUS volumes are available at http://www.state.gov/www/about_state/history/index.html. More information about this series, including microfiche supplements and volumes in preparation, is available from the Office of the Historian at 202-663-1123. Treaties and Other International Acts Series. Issued irregularly, the TIAS contains the complete official texts of agreements entered into by the United States with other nations. TIAS can be purchased from the Government Printing Office. Treaties in Force. This is a list of treaties and other international agreements of the United States in force on January 1 of each year. It can be accessed through the Internet at http://www.state.gov/www/global/arms/bureau_ac/treaties_ac.html. Diplomatic List. Published quarterly, this list provides the names and addresses of official foreign diplomatic representatives in Washington, DC. The Diplomatic List, as well as the following two documents, can be accessed at http://www.state.gov/www/outreach.html. Foreign Consular Offices in the United States. Published twice a year, this publication includes names and addresses of foreign consulates in the United States. Key Officers of Foreign Service Posts--Guide for Business Representatives. This directory lists key officers and their telephone and fax numbers from the Departments of State and Commerce, and other U.S. agencies at Foreign Service posts who assist American business representatives around the world. U.S. Department of State Telephone Directory. This directory contains key contact points and other information for the Department of State as well as the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and the Trade and Development Agency. It also contains the full text of Key Officers of Foreign Service Posts--Guide for Business Representatives.
Services for U.S. BusinessesOne of the State Department's objectives is to create new opportunities for American businesses overseas. Resources within the State Department that work to further this goal include the following offices.The Office of the Coordinator for Business Affairs (CBA). This office helps ensure that U.S. business interests are considered in the foreign policy process, that American companies have opportunities to compete fairly for foreign business, and that international trade and investment disputes are resolved. The office coordinates State Department advocacy on behalf of American businesses and offers them problem-solving assistance in opening markets, leveling playing fields, and resolving trade and investment disputes. For more information, visit http://www.state.gov/www/about_state/business/index.html or call 202-647-1625; fax 202-647-3953. Information on the State Department's effort to promote foreign trade, as well as economic analysis, business information, and country reports is available on the State Department's web site at http://www.state.gov/www/services.html. The Office of the Procurement Executive. Companies that are interested in doing business with the State Department also can obtain the latest information on procurement contracts and government acquisitions through the Internet. The Office of the Procurement Executive's Acquisition homepage at http://www.statebuy.gov/home.htm provides access to offices within the Department of State's acquisition community. The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization. This office ensures that a fair share of the Department's acquisitions are placed with small and disadvantaged firms, as well as those owned by women. It serves as advocate, counselor, trainer, and provider of liaison services to the small business community. The office publishes United States Department of State: A Guide To Doing Business, which lists useful information concerning the Department's procurement opportunities, points of contact, subcontracting opportunities, etc. This can be obtained in hard copy from the Superintendent of Documents (see preceding section on publications for sales information) or free of charge on the web at http://www.statebuy.gov/osdbu1.htm. Overseas Security Advisory Council. The Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC), a joint venture between the Department of State and the U.S. private sector, was created in 1985 to interact on overseas problems of mutual concern. Since then, OSAC has developed into an effective vehicle for security cooperation. Among their many accomplishments, government and business representatives have joined to use OSAC as a forum to produce a series of publications providing guidance, suggestions, and planning techniques on a variety of security related issues. U.S. private sector organizations with overseas interests interested in receiving additional information should send a letter of request to:
Executive Director For direct access to OSAC information on the web, go to http://ds.state.gov.
Services for Americans Traveling or Living AbroadEach year millions of Americans plan trips to foreign destinations. The State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs assists American citizens traveling or living abroad and issues visas to foreign nationals who wish to visit or reside in the United States. This bureau issues Travel Warnings, Consular Information Sheets, and other publications related to travel. This information, plus international security information from the Overseas Security Advisory Council and the State Department's Bureau of Diplomatic Security, can be directly accessed on the web at http://travel.state.gov.In addition, the Consular Affairs Bureau provides fax-on-demand: Dial 202-647-3000 from your fax machine. The system will then give you further instructions. Overseas Citizens ServicesOverseas Citizens Services (OCS) in the State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs is responsible for the welfare and whereabouts of U.S. citizens traveling and residing abroad. It has three offices: American Citizens Services, Children's Issues, and Policy Review and Interagency Liaison.American Citizens Services (ACS) assists in all matters involving protective services for Americans abroad, including arrests, death cases, financial or medical emergencies, and welfare and whereabouts inquiries. This office also issues Consular Information Sheets, Travel Warnings, and Public Announcements, and provides guidance on nationality and citizenship determination, document issuance, judicial and notarial services, estates and property claims, and disaster assistance. Hours of operation are from 8:15 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Monday-Friday; 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday. For after-hours emergencies, Sundays, and holidays, call 202-647-4000 and request the OCS duty officer. The OCS 24-hour travelers' hotline may be reached by calling 202-647-5225. Children's Issues (CI) was created to assist families in crisis and provide information to Americans on international adoption. CI also serves as the U.S. Central Authority on The Hague Convention on International Parental Child Abduction. The treaty provides for the return of children to their habitual place of residence if wrongfully removed. To receive information about international parental child abductions or adoptions from CI, dial 202-736-7000. Information about these issues also is available in the following booklets published by Children's Issues: International Child Abductions and International Adoptions. You can receive a free copy of either of these booklets by sending an 8.5 x 11" self-addressed, stamped envelope to:
Children's Issues Please make sure to write the title of the booklet on the outside of your envelope. The booklets are also available on the web at http://travel.state.gov/children's_issues.html. Policy Review and Interagency Liaison provides guidance on the administration and enforcement of U.S. citizenship laws and the documentation of Americans traveling and residing abroad. The office also has responsibility for the federal benefits program, under which more than 500,000 American citizens receive monthly federal benefits payments outside the United States. Passport ServicesIn 1997, the State Department issued more than 6 million U.S. passports to American citizens through its regional passport agencies and one processing center in the United States and at more than 280 diplomatic and consular posts around the world. There are 13 regional passport agencies and one special issuance agency for official and diplomatic passports. These agencies are located in Boston; Chicago; Honolulu; Houston; Los Angeles; Miami; New Orleans; New York; Philadelphia; San Francisco; Seattle; Stamford, CT; Washington, DC; and by mail at the National Passport Center in Portsmouth, NH. Passport applications are accepted at about 4,000 authorized post offices and clerks of courts across the country.Information on the addresses of these agencies and offices and how to obtain passports is available on the web at http://travel.state.gov/passport_services.html. To receive passport applications, information on emergency or other services provided by Passport Services, or to check on the status of a passport application, contact the National Passport Information Center at 1-900-225-5674 (TDD: 1-900-225-7778). Automated information is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Operators can be reached Monday-Friday, excluding federal holidays, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., e.s.t. (Note: There is a fee for this service.) The cost per minute for 1-900 calls is 35 cents for the automated system and $1.05 for operators. There is an optional number-1-888-362-8668 (TDD 1-888-498-3648)--for those unable to access the 1-900 service. These calls require a credit card for payment of a flat rate of $4.95 per call. Visa ServicesFor information on issuing immigrant and non-immigrant U.S. visas to foreign nationals:Internet: http://travel.state.gov/visa_services.html Email: visanet@state.gov
Write: Call: 202-663-1225 (Note: This office does not maintain a master file on individual cases. Inquiries about the status of specific non-emergency cases should be directed to the U.S. consul in the country where the application was made.) Visa Bulletin. Visa Services publishes a monthly Visa Bulletin. This booklet describes immigrant visa categories and current priority dates. To be placed on the Visa Bulletin mailing list, write to:
Visa Bulletin or email: visabulletin@state.gov The booklet is also on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov/visa_bulletin.html. Visa Lottery. Each year, 55,000 immigrant visas are made available to natives of countries with low rates of immigration to the U.S. Information on this diversity lottery is made available in the Visa Bulletin. Visa Priority Dates. To inquire about monthly priority dates, call 202-663-1541 or obtain the monthly Visa Bulletin. Immigrant Visa Petitions. To check on the status of approved immigrant visa petitions as well as registered visa lottery applications, contact the National Visa Center, 32 Rochester Avenue, Portsmouth, NH 03801, or call 603-334-0700.
Traveling Abroad? U.S. Department of State Resources Help Make Your International Trip a SuccessTravel Warnings, Consular Information Sheets, and Public Announcements
Free copies of this information are available from the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs at tel: 202-647-5225 or via the fax-on-demand system at 202-647-3000. Travel Warnings and Consular Information Sheets also are available on the Consular Affairs Internet home page at http://travel.state.gov and the Consular Affairs Bulletin Board (CABB) via computer modem at 301-946-4400. The login is travel and the password is info. PublicationsPamphlets with practical travel tips are available for a fee from:
Superintendent of Documents Publications also are available on the CABB (see above), and at http://travel.state.gov They include:
Available from the Consumer Information Center:
are available for 50 cents each from the Consumer Information Center, Pueblo, CO 81009 or at http://travel.state.gov/passport_easy.html and http://travel.state.gov/foreignentryreqs.html.
Dialogue With AmericansThe Office of Public and Intergovernmental Liaison, Bureau of Public Affairs, promotes foreign policy dialogue between Department officials, state and local government representatives, and the American people through a variety of programming and liaison activities. It is the central point of coordination for speaking engagements, briefings, and conference programs in the Department and around the country.If you are interested in any of the following services, contact the telephone numbers listed after the sections below or write:
Office of Public and Intergovernmental Liaison Washington Programs. Large groups of opinion leaders from business, media, education, ethnic, environmental, and other nongovernmental entities can request assistance in organizing a foreign policy conference at the Department or in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Seminars and special briefings also can be arranged for smaller groups to meet with Department officials for informal discussions on topics of particular interest. For more information, call 202-647-5171. Regional Programs. The State Department provides speakers to organizations throughout the United States. Regional foreign policy town meetings are cosponsored by the Department and local organizations. Senior officials participate in these meetings, which are designed to encourage the free exchange of information and opinion and to relate foreign policy objectives to community issues. Media interviews, informal discussions with business and community leaders, and visits to academic institutions are among other events which may be scheduled while a speaker is in the area. For more information, call 202-647-8411. Liaison With State and Local Governments. The Office of Public and Intergovernmental Liaison also provides key international services to state, county, and city officials, such as briefings and information on foreign affairs issues, international markets, student exchange programs, and sister-city relationships. It also prepares legislators and city and county representatives for official trips abroad and for welcoming visiting foreign dignitaries or potential investors to the United States. The office coordinates meetings with Department experts, arranges special foreign affairs and direct-line telephone briefings, and contacts U.S. embassies to facilitate travel. For further information, call 202-647-5879.
Working With the MediaThe State Department has a long history of working with the media to provide timely, relevant information about U.S. foreign policy. More than 200 news organizations have State Department correspondents, and 30 or more have facilities in the State Department building and attend the press briefing. The Press Office in the Bureau of Public Affairs coordinates the Department's press briefing and provides diverse information on U.S. foreign policy for news organizations and correspondents. Listen to the live press briefing on the internet through broadcast.com. Access information is at http://www.broadcast.com/events/usstate/. Text of the press briefing is available on the web at http://secretary.state.gov/www/briefings/index.ht ml and on the fax-on-demand service at 202-736-7720. For more information, journalists should call the Press Office at 202-647-2492; fax 202-647-0244.The Department of State also works to get the latest international news and information about America's diplomatic efforts to media representatives at the local level. The Press Office's Regional Media Outreach unit helps regional press schedule interviews with foreign policy experts on key initiatives. To schedule an interview, call 202-647-0001. Other ServicesLocator Service. To obtain the office telephone numbers of Department of State personnel, call 202-647-4000.Tour Office. Reservations for tours of the Department of State's 8th floor diplomatic reception rooms, including the State Department's permanent exhibit on the history of U.S. diplomacy, can be arranged by calling 202-647-3241 (TDD: 202-736-4474), or faxing 202-736-4232. Reservations should be made 2-3 months in advance April-October, and 6 weeks in advance November-March. For a "virtual" tour of the 8th floor, see our web site at http://www.state.gov/www/about_state/diprooms/. Employment. The State Department offers challenging career opportunities for people interested in working in the foreign affairs field both in the United States and abroad. If you become a Civil Service or Foreign Service employee, you have the opportunity to help define the type of world in which we live. Detailed information about State Department employment opportunities is available on the web under "Careers" at http://www.state.gov/www/careers/index.html. This site offers the latest job descriptions, salary and benefits information, application requirements, and an inside look at careers with the Department of State. All available brochures and information are provided on-line. Students will find information on internships, cooperative education, and summer clerical opportunities. Current information also is on-line about the Foreign Service Exam and available Foreign Service specialist positions. For more information, you may also contact:
U.S. Department of State For information on current Civil Service Openings, call 202-647-7284 For recorded information call 202-647-7284. Information on Civil Service positions also is available from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management offices nationwide and at http://www.usajobs.opm.gov. Department of State Electronic Reading Room and Freedom of Information. The records of the Department of State are a unique historical collection of international significance. Each year nearly 10 million pages of our permanent historical records are reviewed, declassified and transferred to the National Archives for release to scholars, journalist, and the public. Many more thousands of pages are released each year under information access programs such as the Freedom of Information Act. The Electronic Reading Room helps requesters locate Department of State records and access selected documents on foreign affairs topics and Department activities. Using the Electronic Reading Room, requesters can access frequently requested documents that have been released under the Freedom of Information Act and special document collections of continuing public interest. In addition, the Electronic Reading Room provides guidance for making FOIA and Privacy Act requests, answers to frequently asked questions, information relevant to FOIA and privacy laws, and links to related web sites. Requests for Department of State records must be made in writing. There is often a fee to cover the cost of searches and copying documents. For more information on how to file a request or for status of a pending request, write:
Mailing address:
Internet: http://foia.state.gov Document Authentication. The Department of State is responsible for providing authentication services to U.S. citizens and foreign nationals on legitimate documents to be used abroad (e.g., powers of attorney, trademarks, birth and death certificates, articles of incorporation, and other certifiable documents). The Authentication Branch signs and issues certificates of authentication under the Seal of the Department of State. Responses to mailed requests are provided within five (5) working days of receipt. Over-the-counter services (7:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Monday-Friday, cash accepted) are handled on a same day basis with a daily limit of no more than 15 documents and one visit per customer. A fee of $5.00 per document is charged (check, Master and Visa cards are accepted). For assistance, call 1-800-688-9889 and press option 6 or 202- 647-5002, TDD: 202-663-3468; fax: 202-663-3636. Information also is on their web site at http://www.state.gov/www/authenticate/index.html. The
mailing address is:
Library. The Ralph J. Bunche Library of the U.S. Department of State is the oldest Federal Government library. It was founded by the first Secretary of State, Thomas Jefferson in 1789. It was dedicated to and renamed the Ralph J. Bunche Library on May 5, 1997. The Library has a large and important collection of unclassified and published information sources on foreign relations. Foreign Relations is defined broadly to include books about foreign countries; world history, especially since the American Revolution; international organizations, such as the United States and the Organization of American States; wars and international conflicts, particularly those involving the United States; espionage: treaties, treaty-making, and legal agreements between nations; American history especially as it relates to the Department of State and the conduct of diplomacy; trade relationships around the world; foreign assistance and development; information on the American government and foreign governments. The Ralph J. Bunche Library is a Federal Depository Library. The mission of the Library is to support the research needs of personnel of the Department of State. The Library is not open to the public and does not lend books directly to members of the public. The Library will lend books, at its discretion, to other libraries. Members of the public must contact a library through which they may borrow books from the Ralph J. Bunche Library. Magazines, newspapers, and microfilm may not be borrowed from the Ralph J. Bunche Library. Libraries may request books through interlibrary loan at:
fax: 202-647-2971 The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) fosters mutual understanding between the United States and other countries through international education and training programs. The bureau does so by promoting personal, professional, and institutional ties between private citizens and organizations in the United States and abroad, as well as by presenting U.S. history, society, art and culture in all of its diversity to overseas audiences. To contact any of the following programs, add the program name and room number to the following general address: Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs The Fulbright Program provides grants for graduate students, scholars and professionals, and teachers and administrators. This site includes Fulbright Commissions and other related links. For further information: English Teaching Exchanges and Overseas Resources maintains offices worldwide assisting teachers, teacher trainers, and ministries of education with curricular development, workshop, seminars and publications. For further information: Programs for Russia and the New Independent States (NIS) include activities involving individual fellowships or institutional linkages. For further information: Requests for Proposals (RFPs) announce the latest bureau funding opportunities for academic and non-profit institutions seeking exchanges and training grants. For further information: The Humphrey Fellowships brings mid-level professionals from developing countries to the United States for a year of academic study and professional experiences. For further information: Or Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Division The Educational Information and Resources Branch promotes international educational exchange through support for over 4,000 overseas educational advising centers that offer information and guidance on U.S. higher education opportunities, as well as through grants to domestic organizations that work to strengthen international education on US. campuses. For further information: Study of the United States promotes better understanding of the U.S. through Summer Institutes for foreign university faculty. This site contains an extensive number of links to online American Studies resources. For further information: The College and University Affiliations Programs (CUAP) supports sustainable linkages in the humanities and social sciences between U.S, and foreign academic institutions. For further information: A separate program known as the NIS College and University Partnerships Program has been established for the New Independent States. For further information: The International Visitor Program brings participants to the U.S. to meet and confer with professional counterparts and to experience firsthand the U.S. and its institutions. For further information: The Office of Citizen Exchanges develops professional, cultural and youth programs with non-profit American institutions including voluntary community organizations, professional associations, and universities. Thematic categories for grants include civil society, nongovernmental organization development, civic education, media development, judicial training, intellectual property rights and public administration among other themes. The office has three geographic divisions - Europe/Eurasia; Near East, South Asia and Africa; and Western Hemisphere and East Asia - as well as divisions for cultural and youth exchange programs. For further information: International Cultural Property Protection represents U.S. responsibilities in protecting the cultural patrimony of other countries. For further information: [end of document]
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