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Consular Notification Regarding Detention of Foreign Nationals

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U.S. corrections agencies have international treaty obligations concerning foreign nationals in this country under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. The U.S. also has bilateral treaties with other countries, some of which impose additional obligations.

Consular notification is not only the law, it helps ensure our Government's ability to protect Americans who travel and reside abroad, and it can prevent needless litigation and legal challenges that can threaten prosecution cases.

In brief, the obligations affecting law enforcement and corrections agencies include the following:
  • When foreign nationals are arrested or detained, they must be asked if they want their consular official notified. For some nations, the consular office must be notified even if the detained national does not request such notification.
  • A foreign consular officer must be allowed to communicate with or visit a foreign national in jail or prison.
  • When a foreign national dies in custody, there is an obligation to notify consular officers.

For More Information


Contact the Bureau of Consular Affairs, Consular Notification and Outreach Division, CA/P, Room 4800, U.S. Department of State, Washington, D.C. 20520; telephone 202-647-4415; fax 202-736-7559.

For urgent telephone inquiries after normal business hours, contact the State Department Operations Center at 202-647-1512.

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