United States Citizens Abroad Vital Records

United States Vital Records  Citizens Abroad

Learn how to find birth, marriage or death documentation records for United States citizens when the vital records event occurred in a foreign country, or on the high seas.

Civilians
To obtain copies. Researchers may be able to document the vital event of a United States civilian citizen in a foreign country by making a request at:


 * Department of State
 * Passport Vital Records Section
 * CA/PPT/S/TO/RS/DO/VR
 * 1150 Passport Services PL
 * 6th Floor
 * Dulles, VA 20189-1150 USA
 * Tel. (202) 485-8300

Department of State

Department of State information on Birth, Marriage, and Death

Births
Researchers may be able to document the birth of a person born to United States civilian citizens abroad using a Certification of Birth Report (DS-1350).

Marriages
Document the marriage of a civilian United States citizen abroad using a Certificate of Witness to Marriage.

Deaths
You may be able to document the death of a United States civilian citizen abroad using a Report of the Death of an American Citizen

Armed Forces
If a person was a member of the Armed Forces, write to the Secretary of Defense; Washington, DC 20301.

Coast Guard
If the person was a member of the Coast Guard, contact the Commandant, P.S., U.S. Coast Guard, Washington, DC 20226.

On the High Seas
If the Birth or death occurred on the high seas while the vessel or aircraft was outbound from the U.S. or at a foreign port, write to the U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC 205520.

If the vessel was inbound and first docked in the U.S. after the event occurred, write to the Bureau of Vital Records for the State where it arrived.