Language
An official website of the United States government
An official website of the United States government
Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (
) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
The consular section of the U.S. Embassy in Ouagadougou is reducing non-emergency services until further notice due to staffing shortages.
We have suspended non-emergency services effective July 24, 2023. Until further notice, only cases meeting emergency appointment criteria continue.
If you have an emergency and need to obtain an emergency passport or Consular Report of Birth Abroad, please send an email to OuagaACS@state.gov to request an emergency appointment. Please be aware that emergency appointment availability is extremely limited.
Services for U.S. Citizens are available in the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Ouagadougou by appointment only.
The Department of State assists U.S. citizens imprisoned overseas and works to ensure their fair and humane treatment.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Consular Affairs (CA) is the public face of the Department of State for millions of people around the world. We provide many services, and the most common are listed below.
U.S. Citizens overseas can renew passports, replace passports, or apply for new passports.
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).
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.
If you live in Burkina Faso and have questions about Social Security Administration (SSA) services, contact the SSA Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) in France.
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.
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.
The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the entities or individuals whose names appear on the following lists. Inclusion on this list is in no way an endorsement by the Department or the U.S. government. Names are listed alphabetically, and the order in which they appear has no other significance. The information on the list is provided directly by the local service providers; the Department is not in a position to vouch for such information.
Legal assistance Medical Assistance Driving in Burkina Faso Translators Traveling to Burkina Faso DNA ProceduresBurkina Faso has a traditional judicial system similar to the French system. The attorneys listed herein are akin to the French “Avocat”. An Avocat is entitled to act in all legal matters, which involve or might involve litigation between his client and other parties. Only an Avocat has the right to represent his client before a court. On the other hand, personal matters such as land, marriage (but not most aspects of divorce), inheritance, leases, mortgages, contracts, and tax advice, as well business mergers, incorporations and the like, fall largely within the capacity of the Notaire. The Notaire never pleads for a client in court. The Notaire is thus a legal technician. Few fully qualified Notaires practice in Burkina Faso. They are listed below the list of attorneys.
Please note that many medical services readily available in the United States may not be available in Burkina Faso. Medical facilities and infrastructures can be extremely limited, especially outside of the larger cities of Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso. Emergency treatment may be entirely unavailable and emergency response services may be over-taxed, under-resourced, or even non-existent. Treatment of serious medical issues may require medical evacuation from the country.
The United States Embassy advises American citizens wishing to travel to Burkina Faso and intending to drive a vehicle, to get an international driving license before the trip.
Please find a list of local translators (PDF 180 KB) and their contact numbers. Inclusion on this list should not in any way be construed to constitute a recommendation, endorsement, or guarantee of services by the U.S. Embassy or the U.S. government. The list is provided as a courtesy to those seeking translation services during their travel to Burkina Faso. Please contact the individuals directly to inquire further about services offered or rates.
If you plan to travel to Burkina Faso, the U.S. Embassy in Ouagadougou encourages you to review the Department of State’s Country Specific Information Sheet for information regarding entry and exit requirements, safety and security, health information and more.
A consular officer may suggest you undergo DNA testing to establish a biological relationship before he or she can perform a consular service for you or your family members. Unless the claimed relationship is established to the consular officer’s satisfaction, the Embassy cannot issue a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA), minor passport, or visa.
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.
If you have a child 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.
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.
Please call: (+226) 25-49-53-00
Outside of Office Hours, contact: (+226) 25-49-53-00
Outside of Burkina Faso: (301) 985-8742 or 011-226-25-49-53-00
Emergency Contact – All Locations Get Travel Alerts International Parental Child Abduction Arrest of a U.S. Citizen Death of a U.S. Citizen Victims of Crime Emergency Financial Assistance
