United states embassy and consulates

Unites States and German enjoy a cordial relationship which even extends to joint military trainings and exchange programs. Both countries are consumers of each other exports. At the end of last fiscal year, the revenue that was generated as a result of trade between the two countries was up to the tune of 9029391.00 EUR Billion. Therefore, the two countries have special diplomatic interest to protect, something that has seen establishment of embassies and consulates to oversee these relationships. For instance, in 1964, the German government extended its Federal Republic of Germany‘s diplomatic mission to the United States in Washington DC. Similarly, the United States also has the Berlin Embassy and the US Consulates General in Munich and Frankfurt that protect the interests of the US government in Germany.

So, what are some of the services that the Embassy and US Consulates General provides for American citizens? Well, they include but not limited to the, following:

• Passport and citizenship

The US Embassy Consulates General have the jurisdiction capacity to handle all matters pertaining to passport issuance and citizenship. For instance, if you are a German Citizen who wants to travel to the US, you’ll need to take your Visa from the consulate and your passport will also be stamped there. For American citizens who are living in Germany, you can renew the passports in case they expire at the consulate. Civil matters involving children and family such as adoption are also handles at the Consulates or Embassy in Berlin.

• Federal programs

Gainfully employed and any other legal American citizen who is residing in Germany are entitles to all the Federal Programs subjected to citizens back at home. For instance all Internal Revenue Services including filing happen at the consulate. Remember, if you are gainfully employed you are expected to emit tax to your home country, based on the applicable laws there.

The other Federal programs that can be accessed via the Consulate General in Munich and Frankfurt or Embassy in Berlin include Selective Service Registration, Social Security, Veterans Affairs and Voting. Remember, if you are eligible to vote you can do it from Germany and your vote shall be classified and counted as diaspora votes. You can be entitles to all the Federal Services even as a valid dual citizen to both Germany and the USA.

• Local resources

Any resources that the US government may deem necessary for the comfortable and secure stay of its Citizens in Germany are accorded through the Embassy in Berlin and the Consulates in Munich and Frankfurt. The services may include specialized medical service, and the patient may also be airlifted to the states if necessary. Other services also include notarial and any other that may later include by the senate.  

• Emergency assistance

Lastly, in the case of an emergency in Germany like the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic, the Embassy and the Consulates are the refuge points that American citizens can seek assistance. All evacuations are also done from embassies in liaison with the German authorities.

Other emergency services that the Embassy and Consulates General grant US citizens in Germany include International Parental Child Abduction, arrest of a US citizen and death of a US citizen. In case of criminal charges pressed against a US citizen, the Embassy may weigh if there is necessity to have the suspect extradited for a US Court trial. For instance, terrorism charges may attract that service.