Directory of Services to American Citizens

There are two principal functions of the consular section of any U.S. Embassy. The first is to issue visas to foreigners who wish to travel to the United States (as immigrants or non-immigrants) and the second is to help U.S. citizens who are abroad, either resident abroad or traveling. A wide range of services is available to American Citizens at the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa, and these can be broken down into emergency and non-emergency services. Among the emergency services are the following:

Replacement Passports

If you lose a passport, a consular officer can issue you a replacement, often within a very short amount of time (it’s even quicker if you are registered with the embassy and keep a photocopy of your current passport in a safe place). If you believe your passport was stolen, first file a report with the police and bring a copy of the police report to the embassy. If possible, you should also bring another picture ID, driver’s license and birth certificate. (more information)

Help Finding Medical Assistance

If you get sick, the consulate maintains a list of local doctors, hospitals and other medical specialists. If you are injured or seriously ill, a consular officer can help you find medical assistance and, at your request, notify your family or friends.

Help Get Funds

Should you lose all of your money and other financial resources, a consular officer can help you contact your family, bank, or employer to arrange for them to send funds. The funds can either be transferred commercially or through the Department of State in Washington, D.C. (more information)

Locate You in an Emergency

Your family may need to reach you because of an emergency in the U.S. or because they are worried about your health or welfare. They can contact the State Department’s Office of American Citizens Services at (202) 647-5225. The State Department will contact the consular section of the embassy in Tegucigalpa, which will attempt to locate you and pass along the urgent messages.

Visit in Jail

If you are arrested, you should ask the authorities to notify a consular officer. Consular officers cannot get you out of jail (remember, when you are in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws). However, the consular officers can work to protect your legitimate interests and ensure that you are treated fairly. They can provide a list of reputable local attorneys, visit you, inform you generally about the local legal process, and notify your family and friends. Consular officers can also transfer money, food, and clothing from your family or friends.

Assist with Arrangements After the Death of an American Citizen

When an American dies abroad, a consular officer can notify the family at home and inform them about the options and costs for disposition of the remains. Costs for preparing and returning a body from Honduras to the U.S. are high and all costs must be paid by the family. A consular officer also prepares a Report of Death based on the local death certificate and this document can be used by the next of kin for settling estate and insurance matters. (more information)

Help in a Disaster

If you are involved in a natural disaster or civil disturbance, a consular officer can help you to pass a message to your relatives in the U.S. regarding your condition. Consular officials will do everything they can to contact you and advise you of upcoming situations. However, priority must be given to helping Americans who are injured or in immediate danger. Remember, in a disaster situation, consular officers face the same constraints as everyone else, lack of electricity or fuel, interrupted phone lines, clogged roads, and closed airports.

Among the non-emergency services are the following:

Issue a Consular Report of Birth

A child born abroad to American citizen parents usually acquires U.S. citizenship at birth. The parents should contact the consular section to inquire about the paperwork required to complete a report of birth. Applications are generally accepted Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and if all documents are in order, the Consular Report of Birth and passport can be issued the same day. These documents are proof of citizenship for all purposes. (more information)

Issue a Passport

American citizens whose passports are expiring can apply for a new passport and it is generally available for pickup within a couple of hours. Applicants should bring their old passport, the fee ($40 for minors and adults, $60 for first-time and lost or stolen adult passport), and three two inches by two inches non-instant photos with a white background. (more information)

Registration

The consular section maintains a register of all Americans who are resident or traveling through Honduras. It only takes a few minutes to complete the registration card and it will allow us to be able to locate you in the event of an emergency. The registration card will also make it easier to issue you a new passport should your passport be lost or stolen.

Distribute Federal Benefits Payments

Checks are distributed through the consular section for residents who are recipients of Social Security, Veterans Affairs, and Civil Service benefits. In many cases, the consular section can also assist you with correspondence with the benefits offices in the U.S.

Assist in Child Custody Disputes

In an international custody dispute, a consular officer can try to locate a child abroad, monitor the child’s welfare, and provide general information to the American parent about laws and procedures which may be used for the child’s return to the U.S. Consular officers cannot take custody of a child or help a parent regain custody of a child illegally or by force of deception.

Consular Information Sheets

They include such information as the location of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country, unusual immigration practices, health conditions, minor political disturbances, unusual currency and entry regulations, crime and security information, and drug penalties. If an unstable condition exists in a country that is not severe enough to warrant a Travel Warning, a description of the condition may be included. Consular Information Sheets are available in the consular section, may be heard by calling the State Department at (202) 647-5225 (24 hours per day) or by visiting the State Department’s Home Page at http:\\www.state.gov.

Other Help

The consular section can help with absentee voting, Selective Service registration, IRS tax forms, notarize documents, advise on property claims, and assist with the personal estates of deceased U.S. citizens who do not have family in Honduras.

Outreach

In addition to our services in Tegucigalpa, we offer consular hours one day a month in San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba. These visits are for non-emergency American Citizen services and are generally held during the first week of each month. For more information on specific dates, times, or services, please contact us by telephone or watch for information in your local newspaper.

In summary, there are a wide variety of ways in which the consular section can help out with either resident or transiting American citizens. We are located on the ground floor of the U.S. Embassy on Avenida La Paz in Tegucigalpa and are open to the public Monday through Friday (except for Honduran or American legal holidays) from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. To contact us by telephone during regular business hours, please call 236-9320 or 238-5114. For after hours emergencies, please call 236-9325 and the Marines will locate a duty officer who will be able to assist you.