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U.S. Citizen Services
Emergency Assistance
Emergency Financial Assistance
Locations
Federal Programs
Local Resources
Child & Family Issues
Consular Report of Birth Abroad
Passports
Renunciation of U.S. Citizenship

Notice

The U.S. Embassy in Nigeria is offering emergency appointments only for passport and citizenship services that require an in-person appearance. Please be aware that emergency appointment availability is extremely limited.

Schedule an Appointment

Abuja
Lagos

Notice

The U.S. Embassy in Nigeria is offering emergency appointments only for passport and citizenship services that require an in-person appearance. Please be aware that emergency appointment availability is extremely limited.

Schedule an Appointment

Overview

The American Citizen Services (ACS) Unit of the Consular Section of the U.S. Mission to Nigeria provides a wide range of information and assistance to U.S. citizens in Nigeria. American Citizens Services are offered at the Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate in Lagos. Each has different service hours.

Arrest of a U.S. Citizen

The Department of State assists U.S. citizens imprisoned overseas and works to ensure their fair and humane treatment.

Arrest or Detention of a U.S. Citizen Abroad

Death of a U.S. Citizen in Nigeria

The Department of State helps the family and friends of U.S. citizens who die abroad. We inform the U.S. citizen’s next-of-kin of the death and we provide information on arrangements for local burial or the return of remains to the United States and on disposition of estates and personal effects. We also issue a Consular Report of Death Abroad, an official record of death.

Learn More About Report of Death Abroad

International Parental Child Abduction

The Department of State’s Office of Children’s Issues works to resolve and prevent cases of international parental child abduction and to help children and families involved in abduction cases. For more information, see our international parental child abduction page on travel.state.gov.

Learn More About Child Abduction

Victims of Crime

The Department of State helps U.S. citizens who are victims of crime overseas. We connect crime victims with police and other services and provide information and resources to assist with physical, emotional, and/or financial injuries from crime.

Help for U.S. Citizen Victims of Crime

Passport

Are you a U.S. citizen who needs a passport?

Apply for or renew a U.S. Passport

Legal assistance

American citizens in Nigeria may at times require the services of a Nigerian attorney. The Mission cannot act as the legal representative of an American citizen.

Learn More About Legal Assistance

Medical Assistance

The best health care in Nigeria is available in private and nonprofit medical facilities. However, even these facilities typically fail to meet U.S. standards. The quality of government medical facilities is unacceptable by U.S. standards; however, the government is committed to resuscitating its health care through systematic funding and revitalization.

Learn More About Medical Assistance

For American Journalists

Foreign journalists wishing to visit Nigeria for reportorial assignment are required to submit the following documents to accreditation@fmic.gov.ng

Read More For American Journalists

Scams

We receive inquiries every day from people who have been defrauded for hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars by Internet contacts they thought were their friends or loved ones. Internet scams are attempts by con artists to convince you to send them money. In Nigeria, these scams are also referred to as 419 scams.

Read More About Scams

List of Tax Preparers

The following list of tax preparation professionals have offered their services to persons residing or working in Nigeria. This list is not a complete listing and is provided only as a basic resource.

Find a Tax Preparer

Contacting Home

U.S. citizens in need of emergency financial assistance while abroad should first attempt to contact their family, friends, banking institution, or employer. Our American Citizen Services unit can assist in this effort, if necessary.

Learn More About Emergency Assistance

Wiring Money Directly

Use a commercial money transfer service, such as Western Union or MoneyGram., to wire money overseas. Money transfer cost comparison tools online can help you identify the best option. The person receiving the money will need to present proof of identity such as a passport. Link text: Be wary of International Financial Scams.

Be wary of International Financial Scams.

Sending Money through the U.S. Department of State

When the commercial options listed above are not available or feasible, family or friends may send funds via the U.S. Department of State for delivery to a destitute U.S. citizen abroad at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. The U.S. Department of State assesses a $30 fee to establish an account and transfer funds.

Learn More About Sending Money Abroad

Repatriation Loans

Destitute U.S. citizens may be eligible for a loan from the U.S. government to travel to the United States. Repatriation loans must eventually be paid back to the U.S. government. Your U.S. passports will be limited at the time the loan is issued and in most cases you will not be issued a new passport until the loan is paid in full. Contact us for more information.

Learn More About Emergency Assistance
U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate in Lagos

Abuja

Lagos

The U.S. Embassy has extensive programs to assist its citizens in Nigeria. Any citizen in need of assistance can call, e-mail or visit the Embassy in Abuja or Consulate in Lagos to request assistance.

Phone:

+234 9 461 4000

Email:

AbujaACS@state.gov

The U.S. Embassy has extensive programs to assist its citizens in Nigeria. Any citizen in need of assistance can call, e-mail or visit the Embassy in Abuja or Consulate in Lagos to request assistance.

Phone:

+234 1 460 3400

Email:

LagosACS@state.gov

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Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)

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Internal Revenue Service

If you are a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (green card holder), you are responsible for filing U.S. federal income tax returns while abroad. You will find useful information on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website, such as Frequently Asked Questions about taxes or how to apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

Learn More About Internal Revenue Service

Selective Service

If you are a U.S. dual citizen or U.S. citizen living outside of the United States, you can register with the Selective Service System.

Learn More About Selective Service

Social Security

If you live in Nigeria and have questions about Social Security Administration (SSA) services, contact the SSA Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) in the United Kingdom

Service Around the World

Veterans Affairs

U.S. service members, veterans, and their beneficiaries can apply for benefits on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website. The Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) may also be able to help veterans and beneficiaries with questions about benefits and services.

Department of Veterans Affairs

Voting

Depending on where you are eligible to vote, you may get your ballot by email, fax, or internet download. To start, complete a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) here. Print, sign, and return the FPCA to your local U.S. election office. Include your email address so election officials can reach you if there is a problem. If your state delivers ballots electronically by fax only, include your fax number. If you request electronic delivery and include your email address or fax number, you will receive your blank ballot 45 days before general and mid-term elections and generally 30 days before special, primary, and run-off elections for federal offices. We recommend completing a new FPCA each January, or when you move. If you have any questions about registering to vote overseas, please contact the U.S. Embassy in Suva at SuvaACS@State.gov.

Federal Voting Assistance Program

Intercountry Adoption

The United States is a party to the Hague Adoption Convention, an international treaty which seeks to ensure that intercountry adoptions are made in the best interests of the child and that safeguards are in place for their protection. All adoptions in another country must take place according to both U.S. and local laws for the adopted child to be eligible to immigrate to the United States. You should work with a U.S. adoption service provider specifically authorized to facilitate intercountry adoption. You can find more information about authorized adoption service providers and the intercountry adoption process at travel.state.gov and are invited to direct questions to Adoption@state.gov.

More Adoption Information

Births

If your child was born outside the United States the child may have acquired U.S. citizenship at birth if the requirements under the Immigration and Nationality Act have been met as of the time of your child’s birth. To determine whether your child acquired U.S. citizenship at birth and to document that, you can apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) for your child. You may also choose to just apply for a U.S. passport for your child, although one benefit of a CRBA is that, unlike the U.S. passport, it does not expire and may be used as proof of acquisition of U.S. citizenship at birth. A full validity, unexpired U.S. passport is also proof of U.S. citizenship.

View More CRBA Information

Marriage

U.S. embassy and consulate personnel cannot perform marriages. Depending on the local law, civil or religious officials generally perform marriages. If your marriage overseas was performed in accordance with local law, it is valid in the country where it took place. Whether your marriage is recognized elsewhere depends on the laws of that place.

If you get married abroad and need to know if your marriage will be recognized in the United States and what documentation may be needed, contact the office of the Attorney General of your state of residence in the United States.

Learn More About Marriage

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