Consular Services

Other Assistance

Welfare and Whereabouts

ACS can assist you in locating a U.S. citizen family member or friend who is missing. Also, ACS can assist you should you become concerned about the welfare of a U.S. citizen. Keep in mind that once an individual is located, you will be notified of this ONLY if he/she has signed an authorization or given verbal permission to a consular officer to waive the Privacy Act provisions.

In contacting ACS about these types of cases, please have at hand the name of the person you are looking for, his/her U.S. passport number, date and place of birth, travel plans and the date when he/she entered Hungary.

Death of a U.S. Citizen in Hungary

When an American dies abroad, a consular officer notifies the deceased's family and informs them of options and costs for disposition of remains. Costs for preparing and returning the body to the United States can be high and must be paid by the family. At times, Hungarian laws and procedures can also make returning a body to the United States a complex process. A Consul prepares a Report of Death based on the Hungarian death certificate; this is then forwarded to the next of kin for use in estate and insurance matters. If you are in the United States at the time of notification of a U.S. national's death, it is suggested that you contact the Citizens Emergency Center at the Department of State in Washington, D.C. for assistance, Tel.: (202) 647-5225.

Visit in Jail

If you, an American citizen, are arrested, you should ask the authorities to notify a U.S. Consul in American Citizens Services (ACS). Under Article 41 of the 1972 Consular Convention between Hungary and the United States, Hungarian government authorities are obliged to notify the appropriate American Consular officials of the arrest and detention of a U.S. national who requests that such notification be made. Consuls cannot get you out of jail (when you are in a foreign country, you are subject to its local laws). However, they can work to protect your legitimate interests and ensure that you do not face discrimination. They can provide you with a list of local attorneys, visit you, inform you generally about local laws, and contact your family and friends. They can try to obtain relief if you are held under inhumane or unhealthful conditions.

Last updated: 04/08/2008