7 FAM 090
CONSULAR DISTRICTS, CONSULAR TITLES, AND DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR SEALS
(CT:CON-917; 05-27-2021)
(Office of Origin: CA/OCS)
7 FAM 091 SUMMARY
(CT:CON-917; 05-27-2021)
Direct questions concerning the use of consular titles, applicable consular districts and consular and diplomatic seals to L/CA. We will coordinate with CA/EX, the Office of the Legal Adviser, the Office of the Director General of the Foreign Service and the Director of Personnel, the Office of the Geographer and other appropriate authorities.
7 FAM 092 CONSULAR DISTRICTS
(CT:CON-106; 06-06-2005)
a. Article 1 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (VCCR) defines a consular district as:
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VCCR, Article 1, Definitions, 1. “b. consular district means the area assigned to a consular post for the exercise of consular functions.” |
b. Article 4 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (VCCR), Establishment of A Consular Post provides …
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Article 4, VCCR, Establishment of a Consular Post “1. A consular post may be established in the territory of the receiving State only with that State's consent. “2. The seat of the consular post, its classification and the consular district shall be established by the sending State and shall be subject to the approval of the receiving State. “3. Subsequent changes in the seat of the consular post, its classification or the consular district may be made by the sending State only with the consent of the receiving State. “4. The consent of the receiving State shall also be required if a consulate-general or a consulate desires to open a vice-consulate or a consular agency in a locality other than that in which it is itself established. “5. The prior express consent of the receiving State shall also be required for the opening of an office forming part of an existing consular post elsewhere than at the seat thereof.” |
c. Article 6 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (VCCR), Exercise of Consular Functions outside the Consular District provides:
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Article 6, VCCR, Exercise of Consular Functions Outside the Consular District “A consular officer may, in special circumstances, with the consent of the receiving State, exercise his functions outside his consular district.” |
d. Article 7 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (VCCR), Exercise of Consular Functions in a Third State provides:
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Article 7, VCCR, Exercise of Consular Functions in a Third State “The sending State may, after notifying the States concerned, entrust a consular post established in a particular State with the exercise of consular functions in another State, unless there is express objection by one of the States concerned.” |
e. 22 U.S.C. 3952(c) provides that the "Secretary shall define the limits of consular districts."
f. 2 FAM 450 addresses changes in consular districts. Defining the limits of consular districts is a responsibility of the appropriate regional bureau, in consultation with CA, L and other appropriate bureaus and offices.
g. 22 CFR incorporates the concept of consular districts throughout, including, but not limited to, 22 CFR 72.1 (deaths); 22 CFR 92.3; 22 CFR 92.4 (notarials).
h. Independent Consular Districts: In certain limited circumstances, the Department has established “independent consular districts” in locations where there is no U.S. embassy or consulate. The action office for establishing the independent consular district is the regional bureau as provided in 2 FAM 450.
7 FAM 093 CONSULAR TITLES
(CT:CON-106; 06-06-2005)
a. 3 FAM 2430 and 3 FAH-1 H-2430 address commissions, titles and rank generally.
b. 3 FAH-1 H-2432.2 addresses consular appointment and assignment commissions.
7 fAM 094 CONSULAR SEALS AND DIPLOMATIC SEALS
(CT:CON-106; 06-06-2005)
a. 2 FAM 150 (generally) and 2 FAM 152 (specifically) address the use of seals.
b. Consular Supplies: Questions concerning how to order consular seals, consular supplies, visa foils, passports, visa pages, Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (CRBAs), Consular forms, and other items ordered through CA/EX/GSD should be sent to the Department via email to the "CA Consular Supplies" mailbox, email address CASUPPLIES@STATE.GOV. This address should also be used to follow up on or inquire about the status of previous orders, and to report transfer and return of Consular Supplies. Supply requests via cable are no longer required. Requests sent to individual email addresses in CA/EX/GSD will be forwarded to the CA Consular Supplies mailbox. The Consular Equipment and Supplies Handbook, available on the Consular Affairs Intranet page, provides further guidance on how to order seals, stamps and other equipment.
7 FAM 095 through 099 UNASSIGNED