U.S. Embassy in Burma

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.

If you are concerned about a U.S. citizen relative or friend who is traveling or living in Burma, please contact the U.S. Embassy by phone (951) 536-509 or Email: ACSRangoon@state.gov. Be prepared to share the person’s full name, passport number, birth details, travel plans, and date of Burma entry. Please note the information we can share about searches is impacted by the Privacy Act, a U.S. law designed to protech the privacy rights of U.S. citizens.

There are various resources available should you or someone you know become the victim of a crime or know of criminal activity.

When a U.S. citizen encounters an emergency financial situation abroad, the Department of State’s Office of Overseas Citizens Services (OCS) can establish a Trust account in the citizen’s name in order to forward funds overseas if no other options are available. Please contact the Consular Section directly to enquire about this service. U.S. citizens in Burma can now receive money transferred via Western Union at any branch of the following local banks: Cooperative Bank (CB), Kanbawza Bank (KBZ), First Private Bank, Myanmar Oriental Bank, United Amara Bank, Myanmar Apex Bank and the Myanmar Livestock and Fisheries Development Bank. People transferring money to Burma will receive a 10-digit money transfer control number (MTCN).

If you reside in Burma and have questions regarding services provided by the Social Security Administration, you must contact the Federal Benefits Unit located in Manila, Philippines via the site below.

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.

Register to vote and request a ballot. Completing a new Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) at FVAP.gov accomplishes both tasks at once, and is accepted by all U.S. local election officials. Voters can also register and request a ballot at their state’s Secretary of State website. All U.S. citizens overseas who wish to vote must submit a new FPCA in each calendar year (January – December) they wish to vote unless their state specifically does not required it. Ask your local election officials to deliver your blank ballots to you electronically (by email, internet download, or fax, depending on your state). FVAP.gov will tell you if your state allows the FPCA to be returned electronically or if you must submit a paper copy with original signature. States are required to send out ballots 45 days before a regular election for federal office and states generally send out ballots at least 30 days before primary elections. For most states, you can confirm your registration online.

Currently, Burmese law does not allow non-Burmese nationals to adopt or have legal custody of Burmese children. The Kittima Adoption Act of 1941, which is still in force, restricts the right to adopt to Burmese citizens who are Buddhist. The Government of Burma does not recognize dual citizenship.

A Consular Report of Birth (CRBA) is evidence of United States citizenship, issued to a child born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent or parents who meet the requirements for transmitting citizenship under the Immigration and Nationality Act. CRBA applications must be made before the child’s 18th birthday, and we recommend that the parents apply for the CRBA as soon as possible after the child’s birth. For applicants older than age 18 who have never been issued a CRBA, please refer to Possible Derivative Claim to U.S. Citizenship.

Parents are encouraged to apply for their child’s first U.S. passport at the same time as reporting their birth. If you reside in Burma and have questions regarding services provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA), you must contact the SSA Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) located in Manila, Philippines.

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.