Mission Sections

Administration

The Administrative Section is responsible for managing the embassy’s day to day operations. The administrative section focuses on financial affairs, communications, facilities maintenance, procurement and contracting, and personnel.

Consular Sections

The Consular Sections protect the interests of American citizens who travel or reside in Germany and adjudicate applications for visas. Services for American citizens include passport renewals, reports of birth, notarial services, and judicial assistance.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

U.S. Customs and Border Protection works to ensure that all goods and persons entering and exiting the United States do so in accordance with all United States laws and regulations. Questions? Please see the Customs FAQ.

Defense Organizations

The United States Defense Attaché Office (DAO) Berlin performs representational functions on behalf of the Secretary of Defense, the Secretaries of the Military Services, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Chiefs of the U.S. Military Services. The Defense Attaché at the American Embassy, Berlin is COL David L. Allwine. COL Allwine is also the U.S. Defense Representative, on behalf of the Combatant Commander, European Command.

The Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) is responsible for the full range of defense cooperation activities in Germany. Chief among these activities is the support of bi-lateral armaments cooperation programs. Other activities include U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) of defense articles, services and training. Germany has procured and continues to support many of its most important armaments systems through the assistance of the ODC.

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) works together with German and international drug law enforcement agencies on matters regarding international drug control programs and drug related money laundering.

Economic Section

The Economic Section concentrates on issues such as money and banking, trade and commerce, communication and transportation, economic development, and government finance. In addition, economic officers deal with environmental, scientific and technology matters such as cooperation in space, global warming, and decreasing biodiversity.

Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS)+ Agricultural Affairs Office

The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) represents the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Germany. Its primary mission is the promotion of U.S. food and forest product exports to the German market.

The Office of Agricultural Affairs oversees all USDA activities in Germany and is the official USDA representative to the German government.

Marketing activities of FAS in Germany. It facilitates trade contacts between U.S. suppliers of food and forest products and German importers. It is also active in many major trade shows in Germany, and can facilitate the participation of U.S. companies.

General Services Offices (GSO) / Procurement

Contract Opportunities

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

The United States Internal Revenue Service’s Mission is to provide America’s taxpayers top quality service by helping them to understand and meet their tax responsibilities and by applying the tax law with integrity and fairness to all. There is a IRS office at the U.S. Consulate General in Frankfurt. For additional tax information, see our Tax FAQ.

Legal Attaché’s Office

The Legal Attaché’s Office works together with German and international law enforcement organizations to combat international crime. To find out more, visit the FBI website at www.fbi.gov/.

Political Section

The Political Section follows, analyzes and reports political developments in Germany, and generates support for U.S. policy objectives with key German leaders. Political officers assess the results of U.S. policies and programs on relations with Germany and help the Ambassador develop policy proposals.

Public Affairs

The mission of the Public Affairs Section is to promote understanding of U.S. political, economic and social issues — explaining to German audiences both the current Administration's foreign policy agenda and the complexities of U.S. society and culture.
Public Affairs offices operate out of the U.S. Embassy in Berlin, and from special sections of the U.S. Consulates in Duesseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Leipzig, and Munich. Posts also work closely with German-American Institutes in their respective areas.

Public affairs offices consist of four major elements:

1. Office of the Minister-Counselor for Public Affairs
   The Public Affairs Section is overseen by the Minister-Counselor for Public Affairs who directs the Embassy's Press Office and Office of Cultural Affairs. The Minister-Counselor for Public Affairs is also responsible for press and cultural affairs activities throughout Germany, including at the Consulates in Frankfurt, Munich, Leipzig, Hamburg, and Dusseldorf. The Minister-Counselor for Public Affairs deals directly with German journalists, academics, political leaders, intellectuals, and cultural figures.
2. The Press Section is responsible for explaining the content of U.S. Policy, and handles all media inquiries concerning official U.S. government policy.
3. The Exchanges & Programs section is responsible for providing German audiences with an understanding of the context of foreign policy by presenting a fuller picture of the values, beliefs, and principles held by Americans.
4. Information Resource Centers (IRCs) provide authoritative, relevant, and timely background on both the content and context of U.S. policy issues.

Regional Procurement & Support Office (RPSO)

The Regional Procurement & Support Office (RPSO) Germany acquires supplies and services, (including architectural engineering and construction), for American Embassies and Consulates, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Peace Corps worldwide.

Regional Security Office (RSO)

Regional Security Office Special Agents of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security are sworn Federal Law Enforcement Officers who are responsible for the security of Foreign Service personnel, property, and sensitive information throughout the world. Referred to overseas as Regional Security Officers, agents administer and manage U.S. diplomatic mission security programs to include protection of personnel, facilities, and sensitive information against hostile intelligence, criminal, and terrorist activities. Other duties include managing the Marine Security Guard and contract local guard security programs, manage or implement security-related aspects of new office building construction, and develop and implement counter-terrorist access controls for existing and new buildings.

For more information on Diplomatic Security, go to the Bureau of Diplomatic Security (www.state.gov/m/ds/) and the Overseas Security Advisory Council at www.osac.gov/.

U.S. Commercial Service

The U.S. Commercial Service Germany at the Embassy and the five Consulates offer valuable assistance to help U.S. business export goods and services to Germany. Trade specialists can help you identify trade opportunities, find local trading partners, launch your company, and obtain market research reports. The U.S. Commercial Service Germany has its own website: www.buyusa.gov/.

U.S. Marine Corps Security Guards

The United States Marine Corps Security Guards protect classified material, American lives, and property of U.S. missions abroad.

U.S. Secret Service (USSS)

The United States Secret Service works together with German and other international law enforcement agencies on matters concerning the counterfeiting of United States currency and other financial crimes. The USSS is also responsible for providing protection for our nation’s leaders, such as the President and Vice President. For further information, visit the USSS web site at:  www.treas.gov/usss/.