2 FAM 450
CHANGES IN CONSULAR DISTRICTS
(CT:GEN-502; 05-17-2018)
(Office of Origin: P)
2 FAM 451 RESPONSIBILITY
(CT:GEN-502; 05-17-2018)
(State Only)
Section 513 of the Foreign Service Act of 1946, as amended, provides that the "Secretary shall define the limits of consular districts." Defining the limits of consular districts is a responsibility of the appropriate regional bureau. When changes are made, the regional bureau transmits the proposed amendment to the Directives Staff after clearance with the Office of the Geographer and Global Issues (INR/GGI) and other interested offices. (See 2 FAM Exhibit 422.2 Procedural Action and Responsibilities for Opening, Closing, or Changing Post Status.)
2 FAM 452 PROPOSED CHANGES
(CT:GEN-164; 01-09-1974)
(State Only)
a. When a change in consular districts is proposed, as in cases of opening or closing posts or on other occasions, the interested post submits to its regional bureau a description of the proposed district together with a map, if available, showing the proposed changes.
b. Consideration is given to such matters as changes in international boundaries, governmental jurisdiction or internal political divisions, the community of interest of the areas affected, new facilities affecting changes in normal communications or transportation channels to outlying areas, the relative distance of areas affected to different Foreign Service posts, and changes in workload of posts which may be eased by changes in consular districts.
2 FAM 453 APPROVED CHANGES
(CT:GEN-164; 01-09-1974)
(State Only)
a. Upon notification by the Department of a new or revised consular district, the mission informs the receiving government of the nature and exact time of the change. It also informs each post within the country having a special interest. The principal officer of each post affected informs the appropriate local authorities.
b. Unless circumstances make it inadvisable, publicity is given the change in the areas affected to inform the public where application should be made for consular services.
2 FAM 454 TERRITORY UNDER DIFFERENT FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS
(CT:GEN-164; 01-09-1974)
(State Only)
a. In the case of a proposal for a consular district to include territory under the jurisdiction of more than one foreign government, the consent of each government is required, since the objections have been raised to the issuance of exequaturs to consular officers who are not resident in a receiving state.
b. After the Department has considered and approves such a proposed change, the missions concerned are requested to secure the consent of the interested governments. When consent is obtained, the posts concerned are notified to act on the approved change.
2 FAM 455 CONSULAR AGENCIES
(CT:GEN-502; 05-17-2018)
(State Only)
Consular agencies generally are not assigned a consular district, but function at a point within the jurisdiction and consular district of the Foreign Service post to which the agency is subordinate. (See 7 FAH-1 H-132 Consular Districts.)
2 FAM 456 THROUGH 459 UNASSIGNED