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The Department of State assists U.S. citizens imprisoned overseas and works to ensure their fair and humane treatment.
Costs for preparing and returning the body to the United States must be paid by next of kin or a legal representative. Nicaraguan law requires disposition of remains (either cremation or burial) within 24 hours unless the remains are to be shipped outside the country or embalmed. The following paragraphs explain the options you have for making your decisions.
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.
Being the victim of crime in a foreign country can be a devastating and traumatic experience. While no one can undo the emotional trauma, physical injury, or financial loss you may have endured, the U.S. Mission in Nicaragua is ready to help with the legal process. We can assist you in managing the consequences of being a crime victim; provide you with information about accessing the local criminal justice system, and other resources for crime victims abroad and in the United States.
Emergency Financial Assistance
For information on services provided by the U.S. Department of State to assist destitute U.S. citizens abroad who need temporary financial assistance, please visit the Emergency Financial Assistance for U.S. Citizens Abroad and Sending Money to Destitute U.S. Citizens Overseas on the State Department website.
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 reside in Nicaragua and have questions regarding services provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA), you must contact the SSA Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) located in Costa Rica. For more information on their services and how to contact them, please visit their webpage at: Costa Rica. 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.
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 Immigration Laws Translators Requesting Civil RecordsPlease note: 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.
Please note: 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.
U.S. citizens coming for short visits to Nicaragua as a tourist generally do not need Nicaraguan visas. However, if you plan to live in Nicaragua, you will need to obtain a residency permit. The best source of information on Nicaraguan immigration laws are Nicaraguan Immigration offices. We strongly suggest that you contact Nicaraguan Immigration and/or a Nicaraguan attorney should you have specific questions regarding Nicaraguan immigration laws and procedures.
Please note: 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.
Please note: 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.
The United States is a party to the Hague Convention on International Adoption, an international treaty that seeks to ensure that international adoptions are carried out in the best interest of the child and that safeguards are in place for their protection. All adoptions in another country must be carried out in accordance with US and local laws for the adopted child to be eligible to immigrate to the United States. You must work with a US adoption service provider specifically authorized to facilitate international adoption. You can find more information about authorized Adoption Service Providers in the link below and you are invited to direct your questions to the United States Department of State email address specific to adoptions: “Adoption@state.gov”
A child born outside the United States may acquire U.S. citizenship at birth if the child’s parent(s) meet the applicable requirements for transmission of citizenship under the Immigration and Nationality Act Sections 301 or 309 prior to the child’s birth. One such requirement is that at least one parent must be a U.S. citizen as of the date and time of birth. Either parent may apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America (CRBA), on behalf of their minor child, to document the child’s U.S. citizenship.
To legally marry in Nicaragua, a foreigner must present a valid passport (or other acceptable identification document) and sometimes a birth certificate. In addition, persons previously married must present evidence of the dissolution of the previous marriage (e.g. a divorce decree or death certificate of the previous spouse) and/or proof that they are single. As the United States government does not produce “singleness” certificates, some U.S. citizens contract with Nicaraguan attorneys to draft a “singleness” document for their signature.
Child Support Enforcement Abroad
The U.S. Embassy is sometimes contacted by the mother or father of a U.S. citizen child in Nicaragua, requesting assistance in collecting financial support from the other parent in the United States. The Embassy is also sometimes asked to locate the absent parent for the purpose of collecting financial support. We regret that we are unable to directly assist in these matters. In the United States, each individual state or territory maintains its own agency that is responsible for the administration of child support. These agencies are not a part of the U.S. federal government, and for that reason they do not have representatives at the U.S. Embassy.
Please call: 2252-7104
Outside of Office Hours, contact: 2252-7100 or 8768-7100
Outside of Nicaragua: 011 505 2252-7104; 011 505 2252-7100; 011 505 8768-7100
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
