Warden Information

Consular Section Freetown

11/03/03

U.S. Embassy Freetown, Consular Section
Corner of Walpole and Siaka Stevens Streets
Freetown Sierra Leone
Telephone 232 22 226 481 ext 285, 207, 205
E-mail: consularfreetown@state.gov  
 
Office hours: Mondays to Thursdays 8:00am – 5:00pm;
Fridays 8:00am-12:30pm

The Consular Section in Freetown offers services to both American citizens and non-Americans.  The following services are available:

American Citizen Services

The Consular Section of the Embassy provides such services as passport issuance, notarials, certificates of report of birth abroad, and registration of American citizens.  In the event of an emergency involving a U.S. citizen during non-working hours, an Embassy duty officer is available.  To contact the duty officer, the U.S. citizen should telephone the Embassy and describe the problem to the local guard, who will then notify the duty officer. The embassy numbers are (232) 22 226 481 and for after hours service (232) 22 227 998. For non-emergency services, American citizens living in Freetown may visit the Consular Section during regular office hours. 

 For more information on American citizen services visit the State Department’s website at http://travel.state.gov, where you will find Services and information for American citizens.

Registration

American citizens traveling to or residing in Sierra Leone are strongly encouraged to register with the Consular Section of the Embassy. This allows the Embassy to know more accurately the number and location of U.S. citizens, should an emergency arise.  Registration facilitates the prompt dissemination of emergency messages and security advisories to the American citizen community.   It also enables the Consular Officer to locate an individual in case of a family or business emergency in the United States.  Registrants can be assured that Privacy Act restrictions preclude the Embassy from releasing information about a citizen without his/her explicit authorization.   Furthermore, registration allows for the distribution of routine information, including information about American community events.   For more information about Sierra Leone prior to traveling, visit the the State Department’s website at www.travel.state.gov. 

Passports

The Consular Section in Freetown accepts applications for regular validity passports, and sends them to the U.S. for printing.  Passports can usually be collected within two weeks of submission of the application.  The consular section may issue limited validity passports for emergency travel – but we urge you to plan ahead.  First-time passport applicants and applicants whose passports have expired or been lost or stolen must prove their citizenship and identity.  U.S. citizens who travel extensively may ask for extra visa pages at no cost.  Passport applications can be picked up any week day but passport applications are processed only on Thursdays, from 1:00  to 3:00 PM. American Citizens should ensure that the two passport-sized photographs conform to the required standard of 2x2 inches, showing full face with both ears exposed.  Forms, information on passport applications for minor children, and other passport information can be found on the State Department website at http://travel.state.gov.

Reports of Birth

Parents of American children born abroad should obtain a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, which is evidence of the child's U.S. citizenship, as soon as possible after the birth of the child.  Parents will have to submit proof of their citizenship and identity, the child’s local birth certificate, and other supporting documents.  For more information, and to schedule an interview for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, contact the Consular Section.  

Assistance with Federal Agencies

Information from Federal Agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service, Social Security Administration and Federal Voting Assistance Program is available in the Consular Section.  The Consular Section has in stock some federal income tax forms, but it does not carry state income tax forms.  The Consular Officer cannot advise taxpayers on United States tax law.  Information about federal taxes, and all tax forms, are available on the Internal Revenue Service website at  www.irs.gov.  

U.S. citizens wishing to apply for Social Security cards may apply at the Consular Section.  In order to apply for social security benefits, a passport and an original or notarized copy of the birth certificate are needed.  Monthly federal benefit payments, if directed to the embassy, are distributed to beneficiaries.  For further information, visit the Social Security Administration website www.ssa.gov.

The Consular Section maintains up-to-date copies of the U.S. Voting Assistance Guide, and the Federal Post Card Registration and Absentee Ballot Request.

Notary Services

The Consular Officer can notarize documents for American citizens, and for other nationals if the document will be used in the U.S.  Powers of attorney, affidavits, wills, and depositions are common documents notarized by the Consular Section.  

Emergency Services

The Consular Section provides emergency services to Americans. Such services include visiting American detainees in custody, providing information about physicians and hospitals, helping family members and friends in the United States locate and transmit information to American citizens believed to be in Sierra Leone, and assisting when an  American dies abroad.
 
When an American Citizen is arrested, the consular officer will visit the detainee and, at the detainee’s request, contact family members.  The Consular Section maintains a list of attorneys practicing in Sierra Leone.  The Consular Officer, however, is not permitted to advise Americans on legal matters or to recommend a particular lawyer.
 
When an American dies abroad and the embassy is informed, a consular officer notifies the family of the deceased and informs them about options and costs for disposition of remains. Costs for preparing and returning a body to the U.S. may be high and must be paid by the family.  Often, local laws and procedures make returning a body to the U.S. for burial a lengthy process.  A consul prepares a Report of Death of an American Abroad based on the local death certificate; this is forwarded to the next of kin for use in estate and insurance matters.

Family members who may need to reach an American living in Sierra Leone because of an emergency at home or because they are worried about his/her welfare, should call the State Department's Overseas Citizens Services Office at (202) 647-5225.  The State Department will relay the message to the consular officer in Sierra Leone, who will attempt to locate the citizen, pass on the message and, consistent with the Privacy Act, report back to the family. 

Non-American Citizen services

Visa Applications For Sierra Leoneans and other Foreign Nationals resident in Sierra Leone

The Consular Section does not process visas. Sierra Leoneans going to the United States usually for tourism, business, or study should apply for nonimmigrant visas in Conakry. For general information on applying for visas in Conakry, click on Nonimmigrant visas. Sierra Leoneans are advised to book an appointment at least eight (8) weeks in advance for an interview in Conakry via email, consularconakr@state.gov.

Immigrant Visas are processed in Dakar, Senegal. For general information on immigrant Visa application and processing in Dakar, click on http://usembassy.state.gov/dakar/wwwhvisaen.html.  Questions on the status of your visas should be directed to Embassy Dakar on email consulardakar@state.gov.

For diversity visas (DV), there is currently no one Embassy designated to receive applications. Applicants are required to contact any US Embassy to inquire about the possibility of interview.
 
For more information on United States visa and links to the different United States Embassies and Consulates, visit http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov.