Embassy of the United States Copenhagen, Denmark

This page contains the most recent messages sent via e-mail from the U.S. Embassy's Consular Section directly to American citizens registered with the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen. If you are an American citizen and wish to receive these periodic messages directly, you must subscribe to our mailing list by registering online with the U.S. Embassy through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) or by visiting the Embassy in person. Enrollment in STEP is for American citizens only.

There are currently no Travel Warnings or Alerts for U.S. citizens in Denmark.  However, please review the Department of State’s Worldwide Caution message.

Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Holiday Security Tips
December 11, 2012

Criminal activity and common street crime tend to peak during the holiday season, when people are more likely to carry more cash and perhaps valuable items.  In addition to street crime, there are a higher number of house burglaries because many are away from home.

WALLET/PURSE/SHOPPING BAG SAFETY:
Pickpockets are a concern in Copenhagen particularly during the tourist and holiday seasons. Be careful with wallets, purses, backpacks, etc.  It's a great idea to make copies of all your personal documents, including licenses, credit cards, and passport.  Copy both sides. You will then know what you had in your wallet or purse should it get stolen, as well as all the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel.  Keep the photocopies in a safe place and carry a copy of your passport whenever you travel.  Wear your bag in the front, with a hand on it at all times.  Keep your wallet in your front pocket or keep your wallet in an inside pocket or pouch under your clothes.  Women should avoid carrying purses strapped across the chest as this could lead to injury in the event of a purse-snatching.

CREDIT CARD SAFETY:
Canceling credit cards immediately after loss is critical.  The key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call.  Have that information readily accessible.  File a police report in the jurisdiction where the theft occurred.  This shows the credit card companies that you were diligent and is the first investigative step.

PERSONAL SECURITY:
During the holidays, burglaries in private homes increase.  Be sure to secure doors and windows before leaving your home.  Be cautious with your travel plans.  If traveling out of town, share your itinerary with a family member and notify them upon your safe arrival home.  Use your alarm system if you have one.

Please ensure your car is locked when unattended. Do not leave anything of value visible in your car.

Drink responsibly and never drive or bike under the influence of alcohol.

Be safe and enjoy the holidays!

Demonstration Planned

November 23, 2012

A protest march is scheduled to take place in the Nørrebro section of Copenhagen on Friday November 23, 2012 from 1430 to 1730 hours.  Between 1000 and 5000 demonstrators will protest the violence in Gaza.  The march is planned to begin at Lyngsies Plads, proceed along Nørrebrogade to Faelledvej, terminating at Sankt Hans Torv.  Police will be present along the march route for the duration of the demonstration.

 U.S. citizens should avoid the area around the march route this afternoon.  Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.  You should avoid areas of demonstrations, and exercise caution if in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests, or demonstrations.    

 We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Denmark enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at www.Travel.State.Gov.  STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or nearest U.S. consulate to contact you in an emergency.  If you don’t have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. 

 We also suggest you regularly monitor the State Department's website, where you can find current Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and the Worldwide Caution.  You should also read the Country-Specific Information Sheet for Denmark.  For additional information, refer to “A Safe Trip Abroad.” on the State Department’s website.

 Contact the U.S. Embassy for up-to-date information on travel restrictions.  You can also call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).  Follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and download our free Smart Traveler iPhone App to have travel information at your fingertips.

 The U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen is located at Dag Hammarskjölds Allé 24, 2100 København Ø and is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.  Our telephone number is (+45) 33 41 71 00.  Our fax number is (+45) 35 43 02 23.  You can also contact us by e-mail at:  CopenhagenACS@state.gov.  If you are a U.S. citizen in need of urgent assistance, the emergency number for the U.S. Embassy is +45 3341 7400.

Demonstration Planned

October 5, 2012

The Muslim Culture Institute of Denmark has scheduled a march and demonstration from 14:00 to 18:00 on Sunday, October 7 in the vicinity of the U.S. Embassy.  The march is planned to start on Øster Allé, head toward Trianglen, down Østerbrogade and Dag Hammarskjölds Allé and end across the street from the U.S. Embassy, where the demonstration will take place until 18:00.  Local authorities anticipate the size of the protest to be between 1000 and 5000 people.  There will be heavy police presence at the demonstration, and the group will be monitored closely. 

U.S. citizens should avoid the area around the Embassy on Sunday, October 7.  Embassy employees have been instructed to do the same.

Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.  You should avoid areas of demonstrations, and exercise caution if in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests, or demonstrations.   

Completing and Returning Absentee Ballots

3 October 2012

Absentee ballots already delivered to overseas voters.  Every U.S. citizen who requested an absentee ballot and selected the fax or email delivery option should have it by now.  Please vote and take steps to return your voted ballot promptly so your vote will count.  See instructions below.
Returning your ballot by mail.  Place your voted ballot in a U.S. postage-paid envelope containing the address of your local election officials.  Drop it off at the Embassy and we’ll send it back home for you without the need to pay international postage.  The sealed voting materials can be dropped off in the “ballot box” at the Embassy entrance any business day between 08:00 and 17:00.  If you can’t visit the Embassy in person, ask a friend or colleague to drop it off for you.  If it’s easier for you to use Denmark's postal system, be sure to affix sufficient international postage, and allow sufficient time for international mail delivery.  If time is tight, you may want to use a private courier service (e.g., FedEx, UPS, or DHL) to meet your state's ballot receipt deadline.

 In addition, the Embassy will host a balloting event on Tuesday, October 23, from 16:00 to 18:00, to assist voters who have not received a ballot with the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot.

Returning your ballot by email, fax, or upload.  Some states allow these options, but may also require you to still mail in the signed paper ballot.  Learn more at the Federal Voting Assistance Program's website at http://www.fvap.gov/.

Haven’t received your ballot yet?  Use the emergency write-in ballot.  U.S. citizens who requested an absentee ballot but haven’t received it should go to http://www.fvap.gov/ to complete a Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot.  Follow the above guidance for returning your ballot.  If you later receive your regular absentee ballot, vote and return it immediately.  Local election officials will count just one ballot per voter, and will use the regular ballot if received by your state’s ballot receipt deadline.

Forgot to register or request an absentee ballot?  Act immediately!  There are three options.

 Option #1:  Register and request a ballot today using the federal post card application at www.FVAP.gov.  Select the electronic ballot delivery option, include your email address (and fax number) and send it to local election officials in your state.  Almost every state lets you submit it by email or fax.  Once your application is processed they will send you your ballot via fax or email depending on your state.  Vote as soon as you receive the blank ballot.  Registration deadlines vary and some are as early as October 7, so check your state’s requirements carefully.

Option#2:  Follow the instructions in Option #1, but also complete and send in a Federal Write-in Ballot at the same time to make sure your vote is counted.  This option may be the best one for first-time voters if your state requires you to submit your Federal Post Card Application by mail.  Vote and submit your regular absentee ballot if/when it arrives.  Local election officials will count just one ballot per voter, and will use the regular ballot if it's received by the ballot receipt deadline.

Option #3:  Voters from the following states can use the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot as a combined voter registration form, absentee ballot request, and absentee ballot:  Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington.  (NOTE: This form must reach your local election officials by your state's absentee ballot request deadline or voter registration deadline, whichever is first.)

 Returning your Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot by mail.  Follow the guidance above for returning your ballot by mail.

 Returning your Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot by email or fax.  The following states allow voters to email or fax their signed, voted Federal Write-in Absentee Ballots back to local election officials:  Arizona, California (fax only), Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah, Washington, and West Virginia.  (NOTE:  see instructions at www.FVAP.gov for faxing or emailing your voted ballot.)

 Need help?  You can get in-person assistance from our Embassy Voting Assistance Staff or private U.S. citizen volunteers at the event on Tuesday, October 23, from 16:00 to 18:00, or any business day in our American Citizens Services unit.

Have Questions?  Please contact Copenhagen’s Voting Assistance Staff at 3341 7222, or at CopenhagenACS@state.gov.

Confirm your registration and ballot delivery online.  Learn more at the Federal Voting Assistance Program's (FVAP) website at www.FVAP.gov.

Demonstrations Planned Near U.S. Embassy

 September 21, 2012

 On Saturday, September 22, there will be a demonstration at Raadhuspladsen from 1500 to 1700 hours, followed by a protest march from Lyngsies Plads to Nørreport Station along Nørrebrogade and Frederiksborgade from 1700 to 1830 hours.  We anticipate the size of the protest to be between 500 and 1000 people.  Police will be present at Raadhuspladsen, Lyngsies Plads, and Nørreport, and along the march route during the demonstration.

U.S. citizens should avoid avoid Raadhuspladsen and the demonstration route from Lyngsies Plads to Nørreport on Saturday, September 22.  Embassy employees have been instructed to do the same.   

Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.  You should avoid areas of demonstrations, and exercise caution if in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests, or demonstrations.

Demonstrations Planned Near U.S. Embassy

September 14, 2012

On Sunday, September 16, from 1400 hrs to 1600 hrs there will be a demonstration across the street from the U.S. Embassy by Hizb ut-Tahrir.  We anticipate the size of the protest to be between 500 and 1000 people.  Police will be present during the demonstration. 

U.S. Citizens should avoid the immediate area around the Embassy on Sunday, September 16.  Embassy employees have been instructed to do the same.  

There is no indication the demonstration will be violent.  However, even demonstrations intended to be peaceful may become confrontational and escalate into violence.  Police will be present during the demonstration. 

Please note the following guidance from the U.S. Department of State’s Country-Specific Information Sheet for Denmark:  “U.S. citizens should avoid all public demonstrations, whether properly authorized by local officials or not, and avoid any large crowds and public gatherings that lack enhanced security measures.  Review your personal security plans, remain aware of your surroundings, including local events, monitor local news stations for updates.  Maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security.”  For additional information, please refer to "A Safe Trip Abroad.”

Department of State Worldwide Caution, July 18, 2012

The Department of State has issued this Worldwide Caution to update information on the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against U.S. citizens and interests throughout the world. U.S. citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. This replaces the Worldwide Caution dated January 24, 2012, to provide updated information on security threats and terrorist activities worldwide...(See full text) 

Voter Registration Event

The U.S. Embassy is pleased to invite interested U.S. citizens to a non-partisan voter registration/voter information event at the Embassy between 16:00 and 19:00 on Thursday, September 6, 2012.

U.S. citizens who have not yet registered to vote in the 2012 election cycle may come to the Embassy during this period and use our facilities to complete the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) for registration.  Voting assistance volunteers will be on site to answer questions and offer assistance.  The Embassy will also accept completed FPCAs or other election-related materials and forward them to the appropriate election offices in the U.S.

No advance notice or registration is required—simply stop by.  The process is quick and easy, and our volunteers will be happy to help and to answer questions. For identification purposes, however, please bring your U.S. passport.   

Please note that voter registration regulations vary from state to state, and we recommend anyone planning to attend our event to review the registration requirements for their state before coming to the Embassy.  Since driver’s licenses are a common requirement, we recommend that everyone attending the event bring their license.  Also note the some states require annual re-registration as an absentee voter, so please carefully review your state’s requirements.

Links to all state voting offices, as well as a wide variety of election-related materials, can be found at the website for the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP), www.fvap.gov.  

View Ambassador Fulton’s video message to voters at http://youtu.be/O80WD6G3w8Y

We urge all U.S. citizens to register and consider voting this year—every vote counts! 

Security Message for U.S. Citizens: ATM Security Awareness

August 10, 2012

The U.S. Embassy has learned that there have been devices placed on ATMs in the Østerbro section of Copenhagen, where the U.S. Embassy is located, that are able to read the ATM cards and/or collect data for PIN codes.  Please see below tips to avoid being victimized by such ATM readers:

• ATM machines that are inside of a bank or other business may be less likely to have been tampered with than those available on the street.
• Always maintain situational awareness.
• Look for signs of tampering or any abnormalities with the ATM – if it appears suspicious, do not use it.
• Cover your PIN code when making a transaction.
• Stop and put your money away immediately after using an ATM.

U.S. citizens should remain aware of their personal security and surroundings at all times and should stay abreast of developments through the local media

Message for American Citizens: New IRS form for Overseas taxpayers

March 9, 2012

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released a new Form 8938 that requires taxpayers to report on certain foreign financial assets for tax year 2011.  The Form 8938 (Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets) should be filed by taxpayers with specific types and amounts of foreign financial assets or foreign accounts.  It is important for taxpayers to determine whether they are subject to this new requirement because the law imposes significant penalties for failing to comply.

You can use Form 8938 to report the ownership of specified foreign financial assets if the total value of those assets is more than the applicable reporting threshold.

For instructions and more information on this form please visit the IRS website.

 Unfortunately, we cannot offer tax advice because we are not tax professionals.  However, if you have questions you can contact the IRS office in the U.S. Embassy in London.  They can be reached at (+44) 20-7894-0476 or (+44) 20-7894-0477, Monday – Friday, from 9:00AM – 12:00PM GMT.  Additional useful information for overseas tax payers is posted on the IRS London website.  Taxpayers can also contact the IRS service center in Philadelphia at +1 267 941 1000, Monday – Friday, from 6:00AM – 11PM (EST), or via post at the following address:

Internal Revenue Service
International Accounts
Philadelphia, PA 19255-0725

Security Message to U.S. Citizens: Increase in Pickpocketing in some areas of Copenhagen

March 8, 2012

Danish police have reported an increase in pick-pocketing on public transportation in Copenhagen over the last couple months.  Due to the cold weather, trains and buses are generally crowded in peak traffic periods, creating situations that are opportune for pick-pocketing. The Embassy reminds U.S. citizens to remain alert to their personal security situation at all times and presents the following general information about operating procedures commonly used by thieves.

• Thieves operate both alone and in teams and often use several different tactics to try to steal belongings.
• Thieves hang around stations and stops, choosing their targets.
• Thieves distract the victim by asking for help with a dropped item or directions.
• Thieves artificially create a crowd while going through a doorway or standing on the bus to allow for bumping and jostling.
• Thieves follow the victim after the victim has used their wallet. 
• Thieves use a newspaper or item of clothing to conceal their hands when they go through the victim’s bag. 
• Thieves are skilled at their trade; having a backpack, purse or bag zipped and closed does not guarantee your personal security.

Some common sense steps that may help you avoid being a victim of theft include:

• Cover your PIN code when making a transaction. 
• Stop and put your money away immediately after using an ATM. 
• Zip or close all openings to handbags, wallets and/or backpacks. 
• Maintain situational awareness at all times, even when using the mobile phone.

Any victim of a theft should immediately report the incident to the Danish police.