The Bureau of Consular Affairs directs consular services relating to the protection, assistance, and documentation of American citizens abroad; conducts all passport activities, including documentation and control of travel of U.S. citizens and nationals; and administers laws, formulates regulations, and implements policies relating to the determination of U.S. citizenship and nationality. At U.S. embassies and consulates abroad, Consular Officers are responsible for issuance of immigrant and non-immigrant visas to foreign nationals seeking to travel or immigrate to the U.S. In addition, CA provides guidance and leadership on consular aspects of children’s services and fulfills U.S. treaty obligations relating to children.
Consular Offices outside of Washington, D.C. include passport offices in the following locations: Atlanta, GA; Aurora, CO; Boston, MA; Buffalo, NY; Charleston, SC; Chicago, IL; Dallas, TX; Detroit, MI; El Paso, TX; Honolulu, HI; Hot Springs, AR; Houston, TX; Los Angeles, CA; Miami, FL; Minneapolis, MN; New Orleans, LA; New York, NY; Norwalk, CT; Philadelphia, PA; Portsmouth, NH; San Diego, CA; San Francisco, CA; St. Albans, VT; Tucson, AZ; and Seattle, WA.

  • Office of the Comptroller (CA/C): The Office of the Comptroller (CA/C) is the principal strategic and resource management office for the Bureau of Consular Affairs and is the primary liaison for the Department for the coordination of action and information related to bureau resources and the linkage between policy and those resources.
  • Office of Consular Systems and Technology (CA/CST): The Office of Consular Systems and Technology (CST) exists to develop, install, provide training for, manage and support CA-automated information processing systems. Through its seven branches, CST provides a full range of technology lifecycle development activities, and project management from inception through development.
  • Office of Executive Director (CA/EX): The Office of the Executive Director is responsible for providing the full range of management support for the Bureau of Consular Affairs, including management of the bureau’s budget, IT systems and infrastructure, human resources, and controlled consular supplies.
  • Office of Fraud Prevention Programs (CA/FPP): The Office of Fraud Prevention Programs is dedicated to providing resources, tools and information that will enhance Consular Officers’ ability to detect and deter passport and visa fraud.
  • Office of Policy Coordination and Public Affairs (CA/P): The Office of Policy Coordination and Public Affairs (CA/P) coordinates public information and the preparation of press guidance and information for the Bureau of Consular Affairs.
  • Overseas Citizens Services (CA/OCS): Overseas Citizens Services (OCS) in the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs is responsible for the protection and safety of U.S. citizens traveling and residing abroad. OCS has three offices: the Office of American Citizens Services and Crisis Management (OCS/ACS), the Office of Children’s Issues (OCS/CI), and the Office of Legal Affairs (OCS/L).
  • Passport Services (CA/PPT): Passport Services is charged with issuing passports to U.S. citizens, providing information and services to American citizens about how to obtain, replace or change passports, and validating the identity and citizenship of applicants. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority to issue or verify U.S. passports.
  • Visa Services (CA/VO): Visa Services Office functions and responsibilities encompass all aspects of visa policy, procedures and information related to U.S. visa issuance to foreign citizens, who are applying at U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide, seeking to come to America.