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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 services and information we provide to U.S. citizens in Zambia. 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.
International Parental Child Abduction
International parental child abduction is the removal or retention of a child outside their country of habitual residence in breach of another parent or guardian’s custody rights.
Arrest of a U.S. Citizen
One of the highest priorities of the Department of State and U.S. embassies and consulates abroad is to provide assistance to U.S. citizens incarcerated abroad. The Department of State is committed to ensuring fair and humane treatment for U.S. citizens imprisoned overseas. We stand ready to assist incarcerated citizens and their families within the limits of our authority in accordance with international, domestic, and foreign law. More information is available at Travel.State.gov. The local resources section, located below on this page, contains a list of local attorneys.
When an U.S. citizen dies abroad, the Bureau of Consular Affairs assists the family and friends. The Bureau of Consular Affairs attempts to locate and inform the next-of-kin of the U.S. citizen’s death. The Bureau of Consular Affairs provides information on how to make arrangements for local burial or return of the remains to the United States. The disposition of remains is subject to U.S. and local (foreign) law, U.S. and foreign customs requirements, and the foreign country facilities, which are often vastly different from those in the United States.
When a U.S. citizen is the victim of a crime overseas, he or she may suffer from physical, emotional or financial injuries. It can be more difficult because the victim may be in unfamiliar surroundings, and may not know the local language or customs.
Emergency Financial Assistance
Should you lose all your money and other financial resources, we can help you contact your family, bank or employer to arrange for them to send you money.
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.
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 reside in Zambia and have questions regarding services provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA), you must contact the SSA Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) located in the United Kingdom. For more information on their services and how to contact them, please visit their webpage at: https://uk.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/federal-benefits/, For comprehensive information on SSA’s services abroad, please visit SSA’s webpage Service Around the World. If you are already receiving SSA benefits payments, there will be no change in the method of distribution of those payments.
Service members, Veterans, and their beneficiaries can apply for benefits services on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website at www.va.gov. The Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) can also be of assistance if Veterans and beneficiaries have questions about benefits and services.
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. government employee working overseas, you cannot claim the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion. For additional information, visit the IRS website.
U.S. embassies and consulates overseas assist the Selective Service System with its registration program abroad.
Now all U.S. citizens can receive their blank ballots electronically. Depending on the state in which you are eligible to vote, you may get your ballot by email, fax, or internet download. To start, go to www.FVAP.gov to complete a new Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), print and sign the form then return it to your local election office in the United States. We recommend overseas U.S. citizens get in the habit of completing FPCAs each January. You should include your email address on the form so it’s easier for your election officials to reach you if there is a problem. If your state delivers ballots electronically by fax only, be sure to include your fax number. If you request electronic delivery and include your email address or fax number, you’ll 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.
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 12 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.
Births
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.
Marriage
U.S. embassy and consulate personnel cannot perform marriages in foreign countries. Depending on the law of the foreign country, local civil or religious officials generally perform marriages. Marriages performed overseas are considered valid in the country where they take place if they are entered into in accordance with local law. Recognition of the validity of marriages performed abroad depends on the laws of the place in which the marriage is to be recognized.
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
