An official website of the United States government
An official website of the United States government
Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (
) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Welcome to U.S. Citizen Services. We provide information and assistance to U.S. citizens across Australia. Please refer to the sections below for more comprehensive information on the services we provide.
International Parental Child Abduction
Australia and the United States have been treaty partners under the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (Hague Abduction Convention) since July 1, 1988. If your child has been abducted from the Australia, speak with a U.S. State Department officer to discuss your case. We know what resources are available in different countries and can answer questions. Click the link below for specific information for Australia including emergency contact information.
One of the highest priorities of the Department of State and U.S. embassies and consulates abroad is to provide assistance to U.S. citizens incarcerated abroad. The Department of State is committed to ensuring fair and humane treatment for U.S. citizens imprisoned overseas. We stand ready to assist incarcerated citizens and their families within the limits of our authority in accordance with international, domestic, and foreign law. More information available at Travel.State.gov.
When an U.S. citizen dies abroad, the Bureau of Consular Affairs assists the family and friends. The Bureau of Consular Affairs attempts to locate and inform the next-of-kin of the U.S. citizen’s death. The Bureau of Consular Affairs provides information on how to make arrangements for local burial or return of the remains to the United States. The disposition of remains is subject to U.S. and local (foreign) law, U.S. and foreign customs requirements, and the foreign country facilities, which are often vastly different from those in the United States.
When a U.S. citizen is the victim of a crime overseas, he or she may suffer from physical, emotional or financial injuries. The State Department, along with the U.S. Embassy in Canberra and the U.S. Consulates General in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth are committed to assisting U.S. citizens who become victims of crime while abroad.
Emergency Financial Assistance
U.S. Consuls can assist Americans abroad who are temporarily destitute due to unforeseen circumstances. Americans who find themselves in these circumstances should contact the Consulate General serving their area, or the State Department’s Office of Overseas Citizens Services at +1 202-501-4444.
After Hours Emergency Assistance
Telephone Number: (02) 4422-2201 The after-hours emergency contact service is available in the event of an emergency, such as the death, arrest or serious injury of an American citizen in Australia. If calling from the United States, dial 011-61-2-4422-2201.
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.
A Consular Report of Birth (CRBA) is issued to children born abroad to U.S. citizen parent(s) who meet the requirements for transmitting citizenship under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)
Applicants over the age of 18, born outside the United States to one or both United States citizen parent(s), may have a derivative claim to U.S. citizenship.
If an American citizen does not meet the requirements to transmit their citizenship to a foreign-born child and have a CRBA issued, there may be another path to citizenship for the child. The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 allows certain foreign-born, biological and adopted children of American citizens to acquire American citizenship automatically. Please note that the acquisition of U.S. citizenship via the Child Citizenship Act is adjudicated and administered by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).
The U.S. Government recognizes the existence of dual nationality and permits Americans to have other nationalities; however they also recognize the problems which it may cause, and therefore does not encourage it as a matter of policy.
Renounce or Relinquish U.S. nationality
U.S. citizens considering renouncing or relinquishing their U.S. nationality should carefully review and understand the consequences and ramifications of doing so.
Former U.S. citizens who previously lost their U.S. citizenship may request to have their loss of nationality reconsidered.
If you reside in Australia and have questions regarding services provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA), you must contact the SSA Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) located in Philippines. For more information on their services and how to contact them, please visit their webpage at: Philippines For comprehensive information on SSA’s services abroad, please visit SSA’s webpage Service Around the World. If you are already receiving SSA benefits payments, there will be no change in the method of distribution of those payments.
Service members, Veterans, and their beneficiaries can apply for benefits services on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website at www.va.gov. The Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) can also be of assistance if Veterans and beneficiaries have questions about benefits and services.
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. government employee working overseas, you cannot claim the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion. For additional information, visit the IRS website.
U.S. embassies and consulates overseas assist the Selective Service System with its registration program abroad.
Now all U.S. citizens can receive their blank ballots electronically. Depending on the state in which you are eligible to vote, you may get your ballot by email, fax, or internet download. To start, go to www.FVAP.gov to complete a new Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), print and sign the form then return it to your local election office in the United States. We recommend overseas U.S. citizens get in the habit of completing FPCAs each January. You should include your email address on the form so it’s easier for your election officials to reach you if there is a problem. If your state delivers ballots electronically by fax only, be sure to include your fax number. If you request electronic delivery and include your email address or fax number, you’ll 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.
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 Tax Consultants American Schools & Organization U.S. Military Veterans Associations Domestic Violence ResourcesU.S. Embassies and Consulates are not able to offer legal advice to U.S. citizens abroad. The Department of State provides information regarding Retaining a Foreign Attorney. To assist U.S. citizens abroad, the U.S. Embassy maintains lists of attorneys who have made themselves known to our office.
When traveling or residing abroad, it is not uncommon for U.S. citizens to require medical assistance and treatment in Australian facilities. The Department of State provides general Medical Information for Americans traveling abroad.
The IRS does not maintain a permanent presence in Australia, and Consular staff are unable to answer inquiries regarding preparation and filing U.S. taxes. Therefore, we must direct all inquiries related to taxation to the IRS. Information regarding U.S. taxes can be found online at the IRS website: www.irs.gov. The International Taxpayer Information Service phone number is +1-800-829-1040. For your convenience, the U.S. Consulate General maintains a list of taxation consultant specialists.
American Schools & Organization
Learn about American community organizations and schools in Australia.
U.S. Military Veterans Associations
Learn about U.S. military veterans associations in Australia.
If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call 000 immediately. In Australia, violence and abuse against partners and family members are crimes. Victims of abuse or domestic violence are strongly encouraged to seek support and assistance as soon as possible. Following is a list of agencies that offer professional counseling and provide assistance to victims of domestic violence and abuse – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The intercountry adoption process varies greatly, as it is governed by the laws of the countries where the adoptive parents and the child reside (which in the case of the United States means both federal and state law), and also in which of these locations the legal adoption is finalized. Additionally, if the child’s home country is a party to the Hague Adoption Convention, the Hague processes of both countries must be followed. Prospective adoptive parents should consider all of these factors when evaluating what to expect.
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).
U.S. embassy and consulate personnel cannot perform marriages in foreign countries. Depending on the law of the foreign country, local civil or religious officials generally perform marriages. Marriages performed overseas are considered valid in the country where they take place if they are entered into in accordance with local law. Recognition of the validity of marriages performed abroad depends on the laws of the place in which the marriage is to be recognized.
Legal custody of minor children must be adjudicated by a court, and finalized by way of an official court decree. The U.S. Embassy is unable to provide legal advice to U.S. citizens abroad, including parents seeking custody of their children.
The American Consulate assists Americans in cases of parental child abduction and missing persons where an American citizen has not arrived at a location on the scheduled date and time. Consular staff do not have the resources to assist in locating someone in the United States, or to assist people wishing to trace their ancestry.
Please call: (02) 8219 2100
Outside of Office Hours, contact: (02) 4422-2201
Outside of Australia: (301) 985-8663
For police, ambulance or fire brigade, dial: 000 (triple zero)
Emergency Contact – All Locations Get Travel Alerts International Parental Child Abduction Arrest of a U.S. Citizen Death of a U.S. Citizen Victims of Crime Emergency Financial Assistance