Consular Notification and Access

Here you’ll find official instructions for Federal, State, and Local law enforcement and other officials concerning the rights of Foreign Nationals in the United States.

You’ll find information and guidance regarding:

• The arrest and detention of foreign nationals
• The deaths of foreign nationals
• The appointment of guardians for minors or incompetent adults who are foreign nationals
• Related issues pertaining to consular services to foreign nationals in the US

All levels of law enforcement must ensure that foreign governments can extend appropriate consular services to their nationals in the U.S. and that the U.S. complies with its legal obligations to such governments. It is essential that U.S. citizens be offered the same consular services when they are detained abroad. To require that of other countries, we must be certain we provide this courtesy here.

These instructions must 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.

Your cooperation in ensuring that foreign nationals in the United States are treated in accordance with these instructions permits the U.S. to comply with its consular legal obligations domestically and will ensure that the U.S. can insist upon rigorous compliance by foreign governments with respect to U.S. citizens abroad.

To read further, please click on the links below:

Consular Notification and Access
Basic Instructions
Detailed Instructions
Frequently Asked Questions
Foreign Language Translations of Consular Notification Statements
Legal Material
Contact Information for Foreign Consular Offices in the U.S.
Suggested Fax Notification Form
Identification of Foreign Consular Officers in the U.S.
Training Resources