An official website of the United States government
An official website of the United States government
Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (
) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
One can become a U.S. Citizen through a variety of means—birth in the United States, birth abroad to a U.S. citizen parent, or through the naturalization process. For all of these, a specific series of legal requirements must be met. At the U.S. Embassy in Luxembourg, we can provide certification of U.S. citizenship for eligible individuals born abroad to U.S. citizen parents. We also processes Certificates of Loss of Nationality for those U.S. citizens who would like to give up their U.S. citizenship or believe that they have expatriated themselves.
Please note: There is no walk-in service for United States citizens who require a service related to notarials, passports, citizenship or birth registration. These services are by appointment only.
Exceptions to the appointment requirements in cases of bona fide Emergency such as:
Exceptions are made, on a case-by-case basis, at the discretion of the Consular Officer. To request an Emergency appointment Contact the U.S. Embassy by e-mail: luxembourgconsular@state.gov
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.
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.
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.
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 Luxembourg and have questions regarding services provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA), or if you want to apply for a social security number or replace your social security card, you must contact the SSA Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) located in Dublin, Ireland (https://ie.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/social-security/) . For more information on their services and how to contact them, please visit their SSA webpage. 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.
Medical Assistance Legal Assistance Criminal Records Checks and Fingerprints Obtaining Vital Records Victims of Crime Resources for Victims of Domestic ViolenceThe EMERGENCY number in Luxembourg is 112, to be used: In any case of emergency or accident requiring immediate medical treatment, to call an ambulance, the fire brigade (the number for the police is 113). To get information in case of emergency about hospitals, pharmacies, doctors, dentists and veterinary surgeons on-call. On duty hospitals (hôpitaux de garde) provide emergency services on a rotation system. To know which one is on duty, it is advisable to call 112 first, to check the local newspapers or online. The list of hospital on duty for the current period is also available here.
The following individuals and firms have informed the Embassy that they are qualified to adjudicate law in the categories specified and that they are sufficiently competent in the English language to provide services to English-speaking clients. If other languages are available, a reference is listed. Generally, this list is revised triennially. The website www.barreau.lu – Luxembourg Bar Association – provides information on legal assistance, legal fees, etc. It offers the possibility to find lawyers by name or specialization.
Criminal Records Checks and Fingerprints
The Embassy does not provide background check services. Please do not schedule an appointment for this. Please refer to the website of Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) in order to obtain an Identity History Summary Check (FBI Report). Alternatively you can contact the state/local police department where you reside or last resided in the United States to request that they conduct a criminal records search and provide you with a document reflecting that there is no history of a criminal record.
Additional copies of U.S. records such as birth, death, marriage and divorce certificates have to be requested from the National Center for Health Statistics.
The State Department is committed to assisting U.S. citizens who become victims of crime while abroad. We help in two ways: Overseas: consular officers, agents, and staff work with crime victims and help them with the local police and medical systems. In the United States: our office of Overseas Citizens Services will stay in touch with family members in the United States, and help provide U.S.-based resources for the victim when possible.
Resources for Victims of Domestic Violence
In Luxembourg, if your immediate safety is at risk, dial “113” or contact your local police department. In non-emergency situations, call the violence.lu helpline at +352 2060 1060 (7/7 12pm to 8pm).
A list of certified translators in Luxembourg is published (in French) by the Ministry of Justice in Luxembourg. To access this list, please click below.
The adoption process varies greatly, as it is governed by the laws of the countries where the adoptive parents and the child reside (which in the case of the United States means both federal and state law), and also in which of these locations the legal adoption is finalized. Additionally, if the child’s home country is a party to the Hague Adoption Convention, the Hague processes of both countries must be followed. Prospective adoptive parents should consider all of these factors when evaluating what to expect. Please visit the Department of State intercountry adoption page for further adoption information. Adoptions in Luxembourg In Luxembourg, prospective adoptive parents should contact the Central Adoption Authority: Ministry of Children, Education and Youth. Phone: +352 247 83624 Email: adoption@men.lu
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). BY APPOINTMENT ONLY: To register for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, you must schedule an appointment at luxembourgconsular@state.gov to visit the embassy with your child and submit all the documentation. All applications for Consular Reports of Birth Abroad must be completed in full, including passport forms. If you arrive for an appointment with incomplete applications, your appointment will be cancelled and rescheduled for another day. We ask that you carefully review all of the following information in full and please submit any queries to luxembourgconsular@state.gov
Officers at American embassies and consulates have no authority to perform marriages in foreign countries. It is usually the laws and regulations of the country that prevail. For marriage and civil partnership under Luxembourg law, please refer to the citizen’s portal, guichet.lu or contact the city hall “commune” where the marriage will be held in order to get detailed information. Among the required documents, you will have to provide a proof of single status – certificate of legal capacity to marry.
