General Information

Why should I register with the Department of State?

Millions of Americans travel abroad every year and encounter no difficulties.  However, U.S. embassies and consulates assist nearly 200,000 Americans each year who are victims of crime, accident, or illness, or whose family and friends need to contact them in an emergency.  When an emergency happens, or if natural disaster, terrorism, or civil unrest strikes during your foreign travel, the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate can be your source of assistance and information.  By informing us about your trip or residence abroad, you help the embassy or consulate locate you when you might need them the most.  Embassies and consulates also provide important information on practical matters, such as registering to vote, to registered Americans living overseas.  Signing up is voluntary and costs nothing, but it should be a big part of your travel planning and security.

Enroll Online Now

U.S. citizens can quickly and easily enroll online with the Department of State using the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).  This secure website allows you to record foreign trip and residence information so that the Department of State can communicate with you and assist you in case of an emergency.

STEP allows you to register and update your contact information on the Internet at any time, making it easier for you to keep your information current. The site also provides you with up-to-date travel information customized to your unique travel agenda and itinerary.

Click to Sign Up Now!

Protecting Your Privacy

The U.S. Department of State is committed to ensuring that any personal information received by our overseas embassies and consulates pursuant to the STEP process, whether in person or otherwise, is safeguarded against unauthorized disclosure. The data that you provided the U.S. Department of State is subject to the provisions of the Privacy Act (5 USC 552a). This means that the U.S. Department of State will not disclose the information you provide us in your STEP application to any third parties unless you have given us written authorization to do so, or unless the disclosure is otherwise permitted by the Privacy Act.