The Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs is focused on the development and management of U.S. policy concerning the African continent.
The Administration’s Africa Strategy focuses on three core objectives:
- Advancing trade and commercial ties with key African states to increase U.S. and African prosperity;
- Protecting the United States from cross-border health and security threats; and
- Supporting key African states’ progress toward stability, citizen-responsive governance, and self-reliance.
Our Mission
The Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs is focused on the development and management of U.S. policy concerning the African continent. The Department’s Africa Strategy focuses on three core objectives: 1) Advancing trade and commercial ties with key African states to increase U.S. and African prosperity; 2) Protecting the United States from cross-border health and security threats; and 3) Supporting key African states’ progress toward stability, citizen-responsive governance, and self-reliance.
Contact Us
Emergencies Abroad
Contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, or call:
- 1-888-407-4747 from the U.S. and Canada.
- +1 202-501-4444 from outside the United States.
For more information, visit Emergencies and What the Department of State Can and Can’t Do in a Crisis.
Passports
Do you have a question about your U.S. passport? Visit the Frequently Asked Questions page first. If you need to expedite your application, visit the Get My Passport Fast page.
Visit the Contact U.S. Passports page for more information.
Routine Passport Requests
Customer service representatives are available Mondays through Fridays 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern (excluding federal holidays).
- Call 1-877-487-2778
- Email NPIC@state.gov
Life-or-Death Emergency Passport Service
We prioritize customers who are traveling internationally in the next three business days due to a qualified life-or-death emergency. Visit the Life-or-Death Emergencies page to learn if you are eligible.
Urgent Travel Service
Make an appointment if you are traveling internationally within 14 calendar days or need a foreign visa within 28 calendar days. Call 1-877-487-2778 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (ET), Mondays through Fridays. Our appointment line for urgent travel service is closed on weekends and federal holidays.
Visas
To contact the National Visa Center, use the Public Inquiry Form. If you need to submit a form or document to the NVC, visit the Submit Documents to the NVC page.
For more information, visit the U.S. Visas page.
Report
- International Parental Child Abduction in Progress. To report a child abduction in progress, call 1-888-407-4747 from the U.S. and Canada or + 1 202-501-4444 from outside the United States.
- Lost or Stolen Passport. Report your physical U.S. passport lost or stolen immediately to protect yourself from identity theft.
- U.S. Passport or Visa Fraud. If you are aware of, or have been a victim of, fraud associated with a U.S. passport or U.S. visa application, please contact PassportVisaFraud@state.gov.
Check Status
Adoptions
If your question is not answered on the Intercountry Adoption website and does not fall under the authority of the agencies/offices noted on the Intercountry Adoption Contacts page, reach out to the Office of Children’s Issues by email at Adoption@state.gov.
Resources
- Bureaus and Offices.The Department consists of bureaus and offices responsible for handling various interests and policy initiatives.
- Job Seeker Resources. Learn about career paths and opportunities.
- Student Resources. Gain insight into U.S. foreign policy and diplomacy, explore new career avenues, and acquire lifelong skills as you represent America to the world.
- Freedom of Information Act. To check the status of a request for Department of State records, you may contact the FOIA Requester Service Center by phone at (202) 261-8484.
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