The State Department strongly encourages you to use commercial services, such as credit card advances, ATMs or Western Union. Locations of ATMs around the world can be found at http://www.visa.com and http://www.mastercard.com. Western Union services are described at http://wumt.westernunion.com/index_consumer.asp and 1 800 325 6000. These services are generally much faster than the State Department transfer system.
If you cannot use a commercial service, the State Department will help you transfer money to a U.S. citizen suffering a financial emergency abroad. When you use this service, we establish a trust account in the recipient's name and send the money overseas. We charge a $30 processing fee. Remember this service is only for emergencies.
When we receive the funds, we authorize the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad to disburse the money. Funds are disbursed only during normal office hours, not during weekends or local holidays when the Embassy or Consulate is closed. The U.S. citizen abroad must contact the Embassy or Consulate to arrange receipt. Even if the funds are sent to the State Department in dollars, they are normally disbursed in the foreign country's currency.
Whatever method you choose, be sure to provide your name, address and telephone number, as well as the recipient's name and overseas location. Otherwise, the transfer may be significantly delayed.
WESTERN UNION: Funds sent by Western Union arrive at the State Department within a few hours. Western Union charges a fee based on the amount sent and these fees can be substantial. Call Western Union at 1-800-325-6000 or 4176 or go online at http://wumt.westernunion.com/index_consumer.asp and follow their instructions to transfer money using a major credit card. If you do not have a major credit card, call your local Western Union agent for instructions. Tell Western Union to send the money and message to: Overseas Citizens Services (OCS), Department of State, Washington, D.C. 20520, code (overseasemergency) and city (DC). We have a Western Union checkwriter in our office. If you send it to any other Western Union office in Washington, it will be significantly delayed.
BANKWIRE: Bankwire transfers take several days. Tell your bank that you want to wire the desired amount, plus $42, to Bank of America, Department of State Branch, 2201 C St. NW, Washington, DC 20520 at 202-624-4750 via ABA Number: 114000653; Account Number: 7476363838; Account Name: PUPID State Department; Special Instructions: OCS/Trust for benefit of (recipient's name), Embassy/Consulate (city, country). (The $42 dollar surcharge will cover processing fees assessed by the bank and the State Department.)
Other Methods: The slowest way to send money is by cashier's check or
money order.
OVERNIGHT MAIL: Send a cashiers check or money order for the desired amount
plus $30 (our fee), made payable to the Department of State, to: Department
of State, CA/OCS, Room 4811, 2201 C St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20520.
Delivery of overnight mail takes 2 to 3 days to reach our office.
REGULAR MAIL: Regular mail can take 3 to 4 weeks to reach the State Department
due to on-going irradiation procedures. We strongly discourage this method for
emergency use.
12/18/02