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U.S. Embassy Beijing hosted a Virtual Town Hall for U.S. Citizens in the Beijing consular district on December 5, 2022, to provide information on the developing COVID-19 health control measures situation. A summary of key topics covered is available here (135 KB).
Click here to schedule an appointment for passport services, CRBAs, or notarial services
New for Passport Applicants: U.S. citizens over the age of 16 who will renew their passports with the DS-82 application form are now eligible to do so via mail and pay their application fee online. Please see HERE for instructions. Those applying for first-time passports, minor child passports, and passport cards must still make an appointment with the nearest consular section.
The U.S. Embassy in China is offering emergency appointments only for passport and citizenship services that require an in-person appearance. Please be aware that emergency appointment availability is extremely limited.
The Department of State assists U.S. citizens imprisoned overseas and works to ensure their fair and humane treatment.
The Department of State helps the family and friends of U.S. citizens who die abroad. We inform the U.S. citizen’s next-of-kin of the death and we provide information on arrangements for local burial or the return of remains to the United States and on disposition of estates and personal effects. We also issue a Consular Report of Death Abroad, an official record of death.
International Parental Child Abduction
The Department of State’s Office of Children’s Issues works to resolve and prevent cases of international parental child abduction and to help children and families involved in abduction cases. For more information, see our international parental child abduction page on travel.state.gov.
The Department of State helps U.S. citizens who are victims of crime overseas. We connect crime victims with police and other services and provide information and resources to assist with physical, emotional, and/or financial injuries from crime.
Emergency Financial Assistance
Please note: The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the entities or individuals whose names appear on the following lists. Inclusion on this list is in no way an endorsement by the Department or the U.S. government. Names are listed alphabetically, and the order in which they appear has no other significance. The information on the list is provided directly by the local service providers; the Department is not in a position to vouch for such information.
U.S. citizens in need of emergency financial assistance while abroad should first attempt to contact their family, friends, banking institution, or employer. Our American Citizen Services unit can assist in this effort, if necessary.
Use a commercial money transfer service, such as Western Union or MoneyGram., to wire money overseas. Money transfer cost comparison tools online can help you identify the best option. The person receiving the money will need to present proof of identity such as a passport.
Sending Money through the U.S. Department of State
When the commercial options listed above are not available or feasible, family or friends may send funds via the U.S. Department of State for delivery to a destitute U.S. citizen abroad at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. The U.S. Department of State assesses a $30 fee to establish an account and transfer funds.
Destitute U.S. citizens may be eligible for a loan from the U.S. government to travel to the United States. Repatriation loans must eventually be paid back to the U.S. government. Your U.S. passports will be limited at the time the loan is issued and in most cases you will not be issued a new passport until the loan is paid in full. Contact us for more information.
Consular Affairs (CA) is the public face of the Department of State for millions of people around the world. We provide many services, and the most common are listed below.
U.S. Citizens overseas can renew passports, replace passports, or apply for new passports.
If you are a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (green card holder), you are responsible for filing U.S. federal income tax returns while abroad. You will find useful information on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website, such as Frequently Asked Questions about taxes or how to apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
If you are a U.S. dual citizen or U.S. citizen living outside of the United States, you can register with the Selective Service System.
If you live in China and have questions about Social Security Administration (SSA) services, contact the SSA Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) in the Philippines.(
U.S. service members, veterans, and their beneficiaries can apply for benefits on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website. The Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) may also be able to help veterans and beneficiaries with questions about benefits and services. The Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) may also be able to help veterans and beneficiaries with questions about benefits and services.
Depending on where you are eligible to vote, you may get your ballot by email, fax, or internet download. To start, complete a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) here. Print, sign, and return the FPCA to your local U.S. election office. Include your email address so election officials can reach you if there is a problem. If your state delivers ballots electronically by fax only, include your fax number. If you request electronic delivery and include your email address or fax number, you will receive your blank ballot 45 days before general and mid-term elections and generally 30 days before special, primary, and run-off elections for federal offices. We recommend completing a new FPCA each January, or when you move.
The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the entities or individuals whose names appear on the following lists. Inclusion on this list is in no way an endorsement by the Department or the U.S. government. Names are listed alphabetically, and the order in which they appear has no other significance. The information on the list is provided directly by the local service providers; the Department is not in a position to vouch for such information.
Legal assistance Medical Assistance Living, Working, and Marriage in China Typhoons and other Severe Weather Air Medical Evacuation Resources Child and Family MattersThe following is a list of law offices in China; the list includes private and quasi-private Chinese law firms as well as private American law firms with a presence in the Consular District. Most of the firms listed specialize in commercial law, but many are qualified to offer advice on a full range of legal issues. Some will provide assistance with adoptions in China.
Please note: The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the entities or individuals whose names appear on the following lists. Inclusion on this list is in no way an endorsement by the Department or the U.S. government. Names are listed alphabetically, and the order in which they appear has no other significance. The information on the list is provided directly by the local service providers; the Department is not in a position to vouch for such information.
Living, Working, and Marriage in China
Please note: The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the entities or individuals whose names appear on the following lists. Inclusion on this list is in no way an endorsement by the Department or the U.S. government. Names are listed alphabetically, and the order in which they appear has no other significance. The information on the list is provided directly by the local service providers; the Department is not in a position to vouch for such information.
Typhoons and other Severe Weather
For the most up-to-date information regarding weather conditions, monitor local weather reports, local media and messages from local authorities, and weather websites such as the Hong Kong Observatory and the China Meteorological Administration .
All intercountry adoptions from China are processed at the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou. Adoptions from China currently account for more than one third of all international adoptions to the United States, making the Guangzhou Consulate one of the largest adoption units in the world.
All intercountry adoptions from China are processed at the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou. Adoptions from China currently account for more than one third of all international adoptions to the United States, making the Guangzhou Consulate one of the largest adoption units in the world. For additional information about adopting a child from the PRC please click here to access Guangzhou’s consulate. For the latest information on intercountry adoptions for adopting parents, agencies, attorneys, social workers, and adoptees please click here to see the State Department Adoption website.
Births
If you have a child outside the United States the child may have acquired U.S. citizenship at birth if the requirements under the Immigration and Nationality Act have been met as of the time of your child’s birth. To determine whether your child acquired U.S. citizenship at birth and to document that, you can apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) for your child. You may also choose to just apply for a U.S. passport for your child, although one benefit of a CRBA is that, unlike the U.S. passport, it does not expire and may be used as proof of acquisition of U.S. citizenship at birth. A full validity, unexpired U.S. passport is also proof of U.S. citizenship.
As of April 1, 2019, two foreigners are not allowed to register their marriage at Civil Affairs offices in China (marriages between a foreigner and Chinese national are still permitted.) This means that two foreigners can no longer obtain a Chinese marriage certificate. This new regulation was published on March 29, 2019, and went into effect nationwide as of today. The details of this announcement can be found here: http://www.mca.gov.cn/article/xw/tzgg/201903/20190300016006.shtml (in Chinese only) or you can call the Civil Affairs hotline at 962200.
Chinese customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from China of items such as antiquities, banned publications, some religious literature, or vehicles not conforming to Chinese standards.
American Liaison Network and Citizen Liaison Volunteers
The American Citizen Services unit is in the process of building our American Liaison Network (ALN) of Citizen Liaison Volunteers (CLV) to ensure that we can communicate as effectively as possible with U.S. citizens in the event of an emergency. We are looking for volunteers to serve as CLVs in various regions of China. If you or someone you know may be interested, or you just want to learn more – let us know!
Please note: The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the entities or individuals whose names appear on the following lists. Inclusion on this list is in no way an endorsement by the Department or the U.S. government. Names are listed alphabetically, and the order in which they appear has no other significance. The information on the list is provided directly by the local service providers; the Department is not in a position to vouch for such information.
American Citizen Services is contacted daily regarding financial scams originating from overseas. While such schemes have long existed, the advent of the internet has greatly increased their prevalence. Individual Americans have lost considerable money on these scams, ranging from a few hundred dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars. We have provided a description of some common scams below.
Remote Online Notarial Services (e-notaries)
The Chinese government prohibits the use of remote notarial services for documents used in China. You should only consider using remote notarial services for documents you plan to use only in the United States. For information concerning remote notarial and authentication services, we direct you to the following recently updated Department of State webpage. Please note that remote notarial services may only be provided in accordance with the laws and regulations of the U.S. state that commissioned the notary public and the laws of the state or country where the document is notarized. Remote notarial service providers known to have worked with American Citizens in China are listed on the Mission China Law Firm List, found here.
Please call: 010-8531 4000
Outside of Office Hours, contact: 010-8531-3000
Outside of China: (+86) 10-8531 4000
Emergency Contact – All Locations Enroll in STEP International Parental Child Abduction Arrest of a U.S. Citizen Death of a U.S. Citizen Victims of Crime Emergency Financial Assistance
