Part 18 of 31 Things Americans Should Think About Before Moving Abroad: Diplomatic Lifelines – What Every American Abroad Should Know About U.S. Embassy and Consulate Support

By Darien Wilson

When You Need Help Abroad, Will Your Home Country Be There?

I’m Darien, an American who moved to the Netherlands, and this is Part 18 of my 31-part series: 31 Things Americans Should Consider When Planning a Move Abroad.

Today’s topic? Your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate—and why it matters.

When you move abroad, even after securing a residence permit or long-term visa, you are still a U.S. citizen. That means your U.S. passport remains a lifeline, and at some point, you’ll likely need to interact with a U.S. embassy or consulate.

Why Every American Abroad Should Know About the U.S. Embassy or Consulate

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs describes its mission like this:

Image via the U.S. Embassy on July 30, 2022

“The highest priority of the Bureau of Consular Affairs is to protect the lives and serve the interests of U.S. citizens abroad. Across the globe, we serve our fellow citizens during some of their most important moments—births, adoptions, medical emergencies, deaths, arrests, and disasters.”

That’s a pretty broad mandate, but what does it actually mean in everyday life?

If you’re a mid-career American abroad, here are a few common situations where your U.S. embassy or consulate might come into play:

Common Consular Services for Americans Abroad

• Passport renewals. Some countries allow mail-in renewals; others require an in-person appointment.

• Having a baby abroad? You’ll need a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) to establish your child’s U.S. citizenship and get them a passport.

• Notarizing documents. If your state doesn’t allow remote notarization, you’ll need to make an appointment for services like a Power of Attorney or Affidavit.

• Emergencies. Lost or stolen passport? Legal issues? Crisis evacuation? The embassy is your emergency backup system.

What If There’s No U.S. Embassy or Consulate Nearby?

As I write this, the U.S. Embassy in the Netherlands is closed for maintenance. That means if I needed consular services today, I’d have to travel to another country.

Luckily, when I renewed my passport in Amsterdam a while back, it was a smooth process. Security was intense, but once inside, the staff were friendly and efficient. My new passport arrived by mail just a few weeks later.

But having to travel to have access to that service would be a real headache.

Why Knowing Your Nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate Matters

Even if you rarely need it, when you're an American abroad, knowing where your nearest embassy or consulate is located is essential for every American abroad.

When something goes wrong—whether it’s a legal issue, a medical emergency, or a natural disaster—you don’t want to waste precious time figuring out who to call or where to go.

Diplomatic Ties Matter

Not every country has the same level of diplomatic relations with the U.S.

If you're moving to a country with weaker ties or fewer consular services, support for Americans abroad may be limited. It’s worth researching your destination’s current diplomatic relationship with the U.S. before you move.

This kind of preparation isn’t just practical—it’s part of being a responsible American abroad.

Final Thought

Whether it’s for paperwork, passport renewals, or crisis support, your local U.S. embassy or consulate is an important safety net as an American abroad.

Don’t wait until an emergency to find out where it is—or whether it's even open.

Did you find this helpful? Are you planning a move abroad? Work with me to make your move from a place of clarity and organization.

© 2025 ​Darien Wilson All Rights Reserved