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The U.S. Embassy in Lusaka provides a range of services for U.S. citizens who are visiting or residing in Zambia. In case of an emergency requiring immediate attention, please see our emergency contact information. We also encourage U.S. citizens in Zambia to enroll in our Smart Traveler Program so that we can reach you in an emergency.
Routine services, such as replacement passports and notarized documents, are by appointment only. Consular Report of Birth Abroad are scheduled by email. Please review our Birth of a Child Page.
Please review the below information for an overview of the services we provide to U.S. citizens in Zambia. Please email us at ACSLusaka@state.gov for any questions regarding American Citizen Services at U.S. Embassy Lusaka. We look forward to helping you.
All visitors will be required to undergo security screening before entrance to attend their appointment. Please note the following:
Electronics prohibited: Please be advised that due to embassy security regulations, all electronics are prohibited. Please leave your cell phones, laptops, cameras, tablets, or any other device at home or in your vehicle. There are a limited amount of small shelves to place your phones at the security entrance, but they will not be locked up. Laptops cannot and will not be stored at the embassy.
Large bags prohibited: We recommend you leave backpacks, bags, purses, etc. in your vehicle, or for a safer option, at home. There are no storage options at the security entrance for your bags.
See the U.S. Customs and Border Protection travel publications on such topics as traveling with a pet, reporting currency, and transporting household goods.
The Department of State assists U.S. citizens imprisoned overseas and works to ensure their fair and humane treatment.
The Department of State helps the family and friends of U.S. citizens who die abroad. We inform the U.S. citizen’s next-of-kin of the death and we provide information on arrangements for local burial or the return of remains to the United States and on disposition of estates and personal effects. We also issue a Consular Report of Death Abroad, an official record of death.
International Parental Child Abduction
The Department of State’s Office of Children’s Issues works to resolve and prevent cases of international parental child abduction and to help children and families involved in abduction cases. For more information, see our international parental child abduction page on travel.state.gov.
The Department of State helps U.S. citizens who are victims of crime overseas. We connect crime victims with police and other services and provide information and resources to assist with physical, emotional, and/or financial injuries from crime.
Among the highest priorities of the Department of State and our missions abroad is the safety and security of locally-resident Americans overseas. In the past year, the Department has intervened to assist in the evacuation of Americans from half a dozen countries throughout the world as a result of serious political or economic unrest, natural disasters, and terrorist attacks.
U.S. citizens in need of emergency financial assistance while abroad should first attempt to contact their family, friends, banking institution, or employer. Our American Citizen Services unit can assist in this effort, if necessary.
Use a commercial money transfer service, such as Western Union or MoneyGram., to wire money overseas. Money transfer cost comparison tools online can help you identify the best option. The person receiving the money will need to present proof of identity such as a passport.
Sending Money through the U.S. Department of State
When the commercial options listed above are not available or feasible, family or friends may send funds via the U.S. Department of State for delivery to a destitute U.S. citizen abroad at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. The U.S. Department of State assesses a $30 fee to establish an account and transfer funds.
Destitute U.S. citizens may be eligible for a loan from the U.S. government to travel to the United States. Repatriation loans must eventually be paid back to the U.S. government. Your U.S. passports will be limited at the time the loan is issued and in most cases you will not be issued a new passport until the loan is paid in full. Contact us for more information.
Consular Affairs (CA) is the public face of the Department of State for millions of people around the world. We provide many services, and the most common are listed below.
U.S. Citizens overseas can renew passports, replace passports, or apply for new passports.
If you are a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (green card holder), you are responsible for filing U.S. federal income tax returns while abroad. You will find useful information on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website, such as Frequently Asked Questions about taxes or how to apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
If you are a U.S. dual citizen or U.S. citizen living outside of the United States, you can register with the Selective Service System.
If you live in Zambia and have questions about Social Security Administration (SSA) services, contact the SSA Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) in the United Kingdom.
U.S. service members, veterans, and their beneficiaries can apply for benefits on the U.S. service members, veterans, and their beneficiaries can apply for benefits on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website. The Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) may also be able to help veterans and beneficiaries with questions about benefits and services. The Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) may also be able to help veterans and beneficiaries with questions about benefits and services.
Depending on where you are eligible to vote, you may get your ballot by email, fax, or internet download. To start, complete a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) here. Print, sign, and return the FPCA to your local U.S. election office. Include your email address so election officials can reach you if there is a problem. If your state delivers ballots electronically by fax only, include your fax number. If you request electronic delivery and include your email address or fax number, you will receive your blank ballot 45 days before general and mid-term elections and generally 30 days before special, primary, and run-off elections for federal offices. We recommend completing a new FPCA each January, or when you move.
The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the entities or individuals whose names appear on the following lists. Inclusion on this list is in no way an endorsement by the Department or the U.S. government. Names are listed alphabetically, and the order in which they appear has no other significance. The information on the list is provided directly by the local service providers; the Department is not in a position to vouch for such information.
Legal assistance Medical Assistance Controlled and Prohibited Substances in ZambiaAll lawyers listed speak English (English is the first language) as well as a variety of local languages, and most can provide transcription and notary services.
Most health care facilities in Zambia are below American standards with limited screening and testing capabilities. Doctors and services at these clinics vary from day to day. Be sure to call the individual clinics for current information, costs, etc.
Controlled and Prohibited Substances in Zambia
Please reference page 50 of the linked PDF for a list of substances subject to control in Zambia.
If you are considering adopting in Zambia, please note that Zambia is a party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect to Intercountry Adoption. The Convention entered into force on October 1, 2015. All adoptions between the United States and Zambia must be processed according to Convention rules. The Government of Zambia is currently reviewing adoption-related legislation and systems to process cases according to the Hague Convention. As such, adoptive parents may find inconsistencies in timeframes and other aspects of the adoption process. If you decide to proceed with adoption in Zambia, please contact us early at If you decide to proceed with adoption in Zambia, please contact us early at acslusaka@state.gov so that we can ensure you receive the latest guidance and are prepared for the immigrant visa stage of the process.
A child born outside the United States to a U.S. citizen parent or parents may be eligible for U.S. citizenship if the parent(s) meets the requirements for transmitting U.S. citizenship under the Immigration and Nationality Act. U.S. citizens eligible to transmit citizenship are required to file for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA).
If you are a U.S. citizen in Zambia and your child is born here, we can help you obtain proof of U.S. citizenship for your child. Please review our Consular Report of Birth Abroad checklist (PDF) which outlines all the application requirements. Once you have all the required documents, please schedule an appointment by emailing ACSLusaka@state.gov.
U.S. embassy and consulate personnel cannot perform marriages. Depending on the local law, civil or religious officials generally perform marriages. If your marriage overseas was performed in accordance with local law, it is valid in the country where it took place. Whether your marriage is recognized elsewhere depends on the laws of that place.
Please call: 0211-357-000 or 0966-050-123
Outside of Office Hours, contact: +260 211 357-000 or +260 966 050-123
Outside of Zambia: +260 211 357-000 or +260 966 050-123
Emergency Contact – All Locations Get Travel Alerts International Parental Child Abduction Arrest of a U.S. Citizen Death of a U.S. Citizen Victims of Crime Emergency Financial Assistance
