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American Citizens Services
Emergency Assistance
Passport and Citizenship Services
Emergency Financial Assistance
Federal Programs
Local Resources
Child & Family Issues
Passports

NOTICE

American Citizen Services appointments are available through our online system. If you are unable to book an appointment and have an urgent need, please email AntanACS@state.gov to request an appointment.

Schedule an Appointment

Arrest of a U.S. Citizen

The Department of State assists U.S. citizens imprisoned overseas and works to ensure their fair and humane treatment.

Legal Assistance Information

Death of a U.S. Citizen

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.

Assistance after death of a U.S. citizen

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.

Help for child abduction cases

Victims of Crime

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.

Help for U.S. Citizen victims of crime

Passport

Are you a U.S. citizen who needs a passport?

Assistance for a U.S. passport

Additional Resources for U.S. Citizens

See available additional resources

U.S. Passports

U.S. Citizens overseas can renew passports, replace passports, or apply for new passports.

U.S. Passports

Frequently Asked Questions on U.S. Passports

FAQs

Passport Validity

How long is a passport valid and is it true that it needs to have at least 6 months of validity remaining?

Passport Validity

Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA)

A child born outside the United States to a U.S. citizen parent or parents may be eligible for U.S. citizenship if the parent(s) meets the requirements for transmitting U.S. citizenship under the Immigration and Nationality Act. U.S. citizens eligible to transmit citizenship are required to file for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA).

Report Birth Abroad

Citizenship Applications for Adults

Claiming U.S. Citizenship If you are over 18 years of age an believe you have claim to U.S. citizenship, please follow these steps…

Claiming U.S. Citizenship

Renounce U.S. Citizenship

Information & instructions to begin application to renounce U.S. citizenship

Renounce U.S. Citizenship

Contacting Home

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.

Help for contacting families

Wiring Money Directly

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.

Be wary of International Financial Scams

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.

How the department of state can help

Repatriation Loans

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.

Learn about repatriation loans

Get Travel Alerts

Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)

Sign up to receive safety and security alerts and other local updates while abroad.

Sign up for STEP

International Travel

Learn more about your destination

Learn more about STEP

Internal Revenue Service

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).

Learn More about internal revenue service

Selective Service

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.

How to register

Social Security

If you live in Madagascar and have questions about Social Security Administration (SSA) services, contact the SSA Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) in France.

Service around the world

Veterans Affairs

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. The Federal Benefits Unit in Paris, France covers Côte d’Ivoire. For more information, please visit their webpage at: https://fr.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/social-security-administration/.

Department of Veterans Affairs

Voting

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.

More about Federal Voting Assistance Program

Legal assistance

The U.S. Embassy Madagascar assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the following persons or firms.  Inclusion on this list is in no way an endorsement by the Department of State or the U.S. Embassy.  Names are listed alphabetically, and the order in which they appear has no other significance.  The information in the list on professional credentials, areas of expertise and language ability are provided directly by the lawyers; the Embassy is not in a position to vouch for such information.  You may receive additional information about the individuals on the list by contacting the local bar association or the local licensing authorities.

See available legal assistance resources

Certified English Translators & Interpreters

The US Embassy Antananarivo, Madagascar assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by the following persons or firms. Inclusion on this list is in no way an endorsement by the Department of State or the US Embassy/Consulate.

See English translators & interpreters list

Medical Assistance

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.

See available medical assistance resources

Americans Resident in Madagascar

In order to obtain a resident permit in Madagascar, the Malagasy government requires a police certificate from the United States.  The Embassy is not able to provide such a certificate. However, procedures do exist for obtaining a police certificate from the FBI while living abroad. In order to do so you must submit your fingerprints and a check or money order for $14 to the FBI. More information about obtaining police certificates domestically can be found here. For more information from the FBI on how to obtain your criminal record please see this site.

Learn how to obtain Your Resident Permit

Intercountry Adoption

The United States is a party to the Hague Adoption Convention, an international treaty which seeks to ensure that intercountry adoptions are made in the best interests of the child and that safeguards are in place for their protection. All adoptions in another country must take place according to both U.S. and local laws for the adopted child to be eligible to immigrate to the United States. You should work with a U.S. adoption service provider specifically authorized to facilitate intercountry adoption. You can find more information about authorized authorized adoption service providers and the intercountry adoption process at travel.state.gov and are invited to direct questions to Adoption@state.gov.

More information on intercountry adoption

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.

Learn more about CRBA

Marriage

U.S. embassy and consulate personnel cannot perform marriages. Depending on the local law, civil or religious officials generally perform marriages. If your marriage overseas was performed in accordance with local law, it is valid in the country where it took place. Whether your marriage is recognized elsewhere depends on the laws of that place.

Learn More about getting married abroad

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American Spaces

Visit the closest American Center or Corner where you can connect with the U.S.

Find a Center Near You

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Learn about unique U.S. higher education opportunities.

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