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If you have a question about a passport, report of birth abroad (CRBA) or notary that is not answered on our website, you will receive the fastest response by emailing us at HelsinkiACS@state.gov. We aim to respond within five business days if the information is not available on our website.
If you are an U.S. citizen in distress, call the main Embassy number at +358-9-616-250 and select 0.
For non-emergency matters, please email us at HelsinkiACS@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. More information available at Travel.State.gov.
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
U.S. consuls can assist Americans abroad who are temporarily destitute due to unforeseen circumstances. Americans who find themselves in these circumstances should contact the Consulate General or the State Department’s Office of Overseas Citizens Services at 1-888-407-4747 (during business hours) or 202-647-5225 (after hours) or send us an email directly at HelsinkiACS@state.gov Consular officers can help destitute Americans contact family, bank, or employer to arrange for transfer of funds. In some cases, these funds can be wired through the Department of State.
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 Finland and have questions regarding services provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA), you must contact the SSA Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) located in Norway. For more information on their services and how to contact them, please visit their webpage at: Norway . 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 Living in Finland Driving in Finland Evidence of No Criminal Record in the United StatesThe following link will direct you to the English-language pages of the Finnish Bar Association. This link will enable you, using the ‘advocate finder’ tool, to conduct your own search for Finnish attorneys based on location, area of specialization, and/or language abilities. Using the ‘web advocates’ or ‘advonet advocates’ tools, you may be able to find an attorney who will provide legal advice on-line. The American Embassy in Helsinki, Finland assumes no responsibility for the professional ability or integrity of the persons or the firms whose names appear in the information found via this link. Further, the Embassy may not recommend or otherwise endorse a specific attorney, nor can it provide any advice itself on legal matters.
In Finland, medical facilities and their staff are as a rule excellent and are widely available for emergency services. English is commonly spoken by Finnish medical personnel. Helsinki is a frequent medical evacuation point for emergency cases from the countries of the former Soviet Union. The public hospital system and many private hospitals honor foreign credit cards. If you are as a tourist or temporarily visiting Finland and you require immediate emergency medical assistant (trauma, life or death cases), you may visit a local medical center or clinic, called “ensiapuasema” (first-aid station).
Passport required. Tourist/business visa not required for stay up to 90 days (the 90 day period begins when entering the Nordic area: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.) This also applies to the countries party to the Schengen accord. For longer stays (e.g. employment, studies) residence/work permits required. Contact the Embassy of Finland, 3301 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008 (202/298-5800), or nearest Consulate General: Los Angeles (310/203-9903) or New York (212/750-4400).
In the United States, drivers licenses are issued by state governments through their Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The Embassy and the Consulate General have no authority to issue any driver’s licenses, amend or extend them. This can only be done by the DMV stateside.
Evidence of No Criminal Record in the United States
Some individuals may need to obtain proof from Federal or State authorities stating they do not have a criminal record. The State Department provides information on its website on U.S. criminal records checks. The Consulate General and the Embassy can’t provide individuals with any police clearance document, nor can we assist in obtaining such a document.
The 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.
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).
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.
Physical Presence Requirement for U.S. Citizen
Follow the link below to review the physical presence requirements for transmission of citizenship and ensure you are bringing sufficient evidence to demonstrate the length of presence in the U.S. required for your circumstance.
First Time Applicant (an adult age 18 and over)
A first-time applicant is an adult (age 18 or older) who has a claim to U.S. citizenship and who has never been documented as a U.S. citizen nor held a U.S. passport. Please note that at least one parent must have been a U.S. citizen at the time of your birth. Scroll down for information on the required documentation, forms and how to make an appointment.
Renunciation of U.S. citizenship, is a very serious and irrevocable exercise and should therefore only be undertaken after serious consideration of the consequences. You must demonstrate that you are fully aware of the consequences, before you receive an appointment. Please read all of the information below on this website and under the links provided. Renunciation of U.S. citizenship in Finland can only be done in person, by appointment, at the U.S. Embassy in Helsinki.
Finland allows dual citizenship. U.S. citizens residing in Finland who are interested in applying for Finnish citizenship should be aware of the following guidance on U.S. nationality policy.
Please call: +358-9-616-250
Outside of Office Hours, contact: +358-9-616-250
Outside of Finland: +358-9-616-250
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
