Emergency Information

Transfer of Funds to a U.S. Citizen Abroad

With limited exceptions, there are no U.S. government funds available to assist American citizens abroad who are temporarily without money. Individuals are, therefore, asked to contact their family members, friends or their employers regarding their financial needs.  In emergency cases, where local banking facilities are not available, funds from the United States can be transmitted through the State Department. The family member, friends, or employer can send money through Western Union to the Department of State's Office of Overseas Citizens Services (Tel: 202-647-5225). Instructions should be given to the Department of State to forward the money to the U.S. Consulate in Casablanca. Upon receipt of a cable from the Department of State, the U.S. Consulate will make partial or full payment in U.S. dollars or local currency as soon as possible.

Instructions for Sending Money to U.S. Citizens Abroad:

Sending money to Overseas Citizens Services:

8am - 10pm Monday - Friday; 9am - 3pm Saturday

Website: http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/tips/brochures/brochures_1224.html

Telephone: 202-647-5225

The following are instructions for sending money to an U.S. Citizen in an emergency financial situation abroad. When you use this service, a Department of State (DOS) trust account is established in the recipient's name in order to forward funds overseas. There is a $30 processing fee. Personal checks are not accepted. Money orders or cashier's checks must be made payable to the Department of State. Upon receipt, the Department of State will send a telegram to the appropriate U.S. embassy or consulate abroad authorizing next workday disbursement. The recipient must contact the embassy or consulate to arrange receipt. The forwarding of funds will be delayed if the sender fails to provide the recipient's overseas location. Funds are normally disbursed in the foreign country's currency and not in U.S. dollars.

Western Union: If you have a major credit card, you may telephone Western Union at 1-800-325-6000 or 4176 or via http://wumt.westernunion.com/index_consumer.asp Otherwise, tell your local Western Union agent that you wish to purchase a money order for the desired amount plus $30 (Department of State fee) made payable to the Department of State. A message with your name, address, and telephone number, as well as the name and overseas location of the recipient, must accompany the money order. Western Union charges a fee based on the amount sent. The money order and message are sent to: Overseas Citizens Services (OCS), Department of State, Washington, D.C. 20520. Funds are normally received electronically in OCS within several hours. OCS has a Western Union checkwriter in its office at the Department of State and an officer is available to receive funds during the hours listed above.

Bankwire: It may take 1 to 3 days to process a bankwire transaction. If you choose this option, tell your bank that you want to wire the desired amount plus $42 to NationsBank, Department of State Branch, 2201 C Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20520 at 202-624-4750 via ABA Number: 114000653; Account Number: 7476363838: Account Name: Pupid State Department: Special Instructions: OCS/TRUST for benefit of (recipient's name), US Embassy/Consulate (city, country); and include your name and telephone number. The wire instructions must include the recipient's full name and overseas location. NationsBank will notify the Office of Overseas Citizens Services when funds are received. The $42 fee includes the $30 Department of State fee and NationsBank's $12 wire fee.

Overnight/Regular Mail: You should obtain a cashier's check or money order for the desired amount plus $30 (DOS fee) made payable to the Department of State. Attach a letter with your name, address, and telephone number, as well as the name and location of the overseas recipient. Mail to: Overseas Citizens Services, CA/OCS, Room 4811, Department of State, 2201 C St., NW, Washington, D.C. 20520. Regular mail can take 7 to 10 workdays to reach CA/OCS, and even overnight mail may not reach the OCS office for several days.

If you cannot use a commercial service, the State Department will help you transfer money to a U.S. citizen suffering a financial emergency abroad. This system is generally much slower than the above-listed commercial services. For more information about the State Department transfer system and processing fees, please visit the Bureau of Consular Affairs website Sending Money to An American Overseas.