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All U.S. Citizen Services at the Embassy require an appointment. Please be aware that emergency appointment availability is extremely limited.
The American Citizen Services section at U.S. Embassy Kuwait provides a range of services, including the issuance and renewal of passports, reports of birth abroad, and distributing Treasury Checks for Americans residing in Kuwait. The Consular Officers of the U.S. Embassy Kuwait also provides special citizen services in emergency situations; however they can neither perform marriages nor obtain the release of Americans from prison.
The Department of State assists U.S. citizens imprisoned overseas and works to ensure their fair and humane treatment.
The Department of State helps the family and friends of U.S. citizens who die abroad. We inform the U.S. citizen’s next-of-kin of the death and we provide information on arrangements for local burial or the return of remains to the United States and on disposition of estates and personal effects. We also issue a Consular Report of Death Abroad, an official record of death.
International Parental Child Abduction
The Department of State’s Office of Children’s Issues works to resolve and prevent cases of international parental child abduction and to help children and families involved in abduction cases. For more information, see our international parental child abduction page on travel.state.gov.
The Department of State helps U.S. citizens who are victims of crime overseas. We connect crime victims with police and other services and provide information and resources to assist with physical, emotional, and/or financial injuries from crime.
Emergency Preparedness Information
Living overseas can be exciting, but part of the adventure is the possibility of a crisis. Around the globe each year, U.S. citizens face a host of challenges: earthquakes, storms, illness and disease, political instability and many others. While Kuwait can be a great place to live and work, it’s always wise to be prepared for a crisis, and it’s important to take responsibility and be proactive.
U.S. citizens in need of emergency financial assistance while abroad should first attempt to contact their family, friends, banking institution, or employer. Our American Citizen Services unit can assist in this effort, if necessary.
Use a commercial money transfer service, such as Western Union or MoneyGram., to wire money overseas. Money transfer cost comparison tools online can help you identify the best option. The person receiving the money will need to present proof of identity such as a passport. Link text: Be wary of International Financial Scams.
Sending Money through the U.S. Department of State
When the commercial options listed above are not available or feasible, family or friends may send funds via the U.S. Department of State for delivery to a destitute U.S. citizen abroad at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. The U.S. Department of State assesses a $30 fee to establish an account and transfer funds.
Destitute U.S. citizens may be eligible for a loan from the U.S. government to travel to the United States. Repatriation loans must eventually be paid back to the U.S. government. Your U.S. passports will be limited at the time the loan is issued and in most cases you will not be issued a new passport until the loan is paid in full. Contact us for more information.
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.
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. dual citizen or U.S. citizen living outside of the United States, you can register with the Selective Service System.
If you live in Kuwait and have questions about Social Security Administration (SSA) services, contact the SSA Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) in Rome.
U.S. service members, veterans, and their beneficiaries can apply for benefits on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website. The Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) may also be able to help veterans and beneficiaries with questions about benefits and services.
Depending on where you are eligible to vote, you may get your ballot by email, fax, or internet download. To start, complete a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) here. Print, sign, and return the FPCA to your local U.S. election office. Include your email address so election officials can reach you if there is a problem. If your state delivers ballots electronically by fax only, include your fax number. If you request electronic delivery and include your email address or fax number, you will 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. We recommend completing a new FPCA each January, or when you move.
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 Family Law in Kuwait Medical Assistance Private Hospitals and Clinics List of Translators Domestic ViolenceAccess a list of lawyers and law firms in Kuwait. The U.S. Embassy in Kuwait assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability, or reputation of, or quality of services provided by the following persons or firms. Inclusion on this list is in no way an endorsement by the Department of State or the Embassy. Names are listed alphabetically, and the order in which they appear has no other significance. The information on the list regarding professional credentials, areas of expertise, and language ability is provided directly by the lawyers; the Embassy is not in a position to vouch for such information. You may receive additional information about the individuals on the list by contacting the local bar association (or its equivalent) or the local licensing authorities.
Officers of the U.S. Department of State and U.S. embassies and consulates overseas are prohibited by 22 CFR 91.81 from acting as agents, attorneys or in a fiduciary capacity on behalf of U.S. citizens abroad. U.S. Department of State personnel, including its attorneys, do not provide legal advice to private citizens. Any information relating to conditions within a specific foreign country is provided as a courtesy, for general information only, and does not constitute legal advice. The Department of State makes no representation regarding the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of this information. Questions about foreign laws and legal systems should be addressed to appropriate foreign attorneys.
Access a list of medical resources in Kuwait. Health services are available in Kuwait in the public and private sectors. These services are regulated by the Ministry of Public Health (MOH), Public Clinics. 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.
Access a list of private hospitals and clinics in Kuwait.
Access a list of translators in Kuwait. Please note: 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.
Domestic violence is a very emotional and difficult topic to address. However, if you are a victim of domestic violence it is essential to know what your options are, both legally and practically, in Kuwait. These are not as extensive as they would be in the United States, but that does not mean that victims of domestic violence are entirely without redress. Below is information about domestic abuse gathered from meetings with police, lawyers, judges of Family Court, and American women living in Kuwait. We hope you find it useful.
In case of emergency, call 112. Ambulance crews often do not include trained paramedics, nor do they respond as quickly as in the United States. Involvement in an accident, whether or not you are at fault, can lead to arrest and detention. Immediately notify the police and remain at the scene until the police arrive.
Travel Bans are legal prohibitions the Kuwaiti government imposes to prevent persons involved in disputes from departing the country. They can be the result of any sort of civil or criminal dispute or immigration violation. They are not normally lifted until the matter at issue (i.e., the civil suit, criminal case) or immigration violation is settled.
The Government of Kuwait requires that all non-Kuwaiti citizens applying for Kuwaiti residency provide a police clearance certificate from their home country. Individuals should obtain the needed documents prior to their arrival in Kuwait. The Embassy in Kuwait cannot provide individuals with a U.S. police clearance and cannot provide authentication services for the police clearance. In order to use a U.S. issued document in Kuwait, authentications must be completed in the United States.
Business and Education Resources in Kuwait
Many organizations and business offer useful information and resources. None of the sites listed below are maintained by the U.S. Government.
Intercountry Adoption
The United States is a party to the Hague Adoption Convention, an international treaty which seeks to ensure that intercountry adoptions are made in the best interests of the child and that safeguards are in place for their protection. All adoptions in another country must take place according to both U.S. and local laws for the adopted child to be eligible to immigrate to the United States. You should work with a U.S. adoption service provider specifically authorized to facilitate intercountry adoption. You can find more information about authorized adoption service providers and the intercountry adoption process at travel.state.gov and are invited to direct questions to Adoption@state.gov.
If you have a child outside the United States the child may have acquired U.S. citizenship at birth if the requirements under the Immigration and Nationality Act have been met as of the time of your child’s birth. To determine whether your child acquired U.S. citizenship at birth and to document that, you can apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) for your child. You may also choose to just apply for a U.S. passport for your child, although one benefit of a CRBA is that, unlike the U.S. passport, it does not expire and may be used as proof of acquisition of U.S. citizenship at birth. A full validity, unexpired U.S. passport is also proof of U.S. citizenship.
U.S. embassy and consulate personnel cannot perform marriages. Depending on the local law, civil or religious officials generally perform marriages. If your marriage overseas was performed in accordance with local law, it is valid in the country where it took place. Whether your marriage is recognized elsewhere depends on the laws of that place.
If you get married abroad and need to know if your marriage will be recognized in the United States and what documentation may be needed, contact the office of the Attorney General of your state of residence in the United States.
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Outside of Office Hours, contact: +965 2259-1001
Outside of Kuwait: 1-888-407-4747
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