State Dept. Proposes Rule Providing for Third-Party Attendance at Certain Appointments

Seal of the US Department of State

On July 26, 2023, the Department of State (DOS) proposed a rule to allow private attorneys, interpreters, and other third parties to attend certain appointments at passport agencies and centers and at U.S. embassies and consulates abroad to assist the person requesting services (the applicant/requester).

DOS said the rulemaking will apply only to appointments in support of an application for a U.S. passport, either domestically or overseas; to appointments related to a request for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad or a Certificate of Loss of Nationality of the United States (CLN); and to other appointments for certain other services offered by American Citizens Services (ACS) units at U.S. embassies and consulates overseas (posts).

Most US consular posts do not allow third parties to accompany a US visa applicant at a US visa application interview or those US citizens who wish to renounce their US citizenship.

DOS will accept comments on the proposed rule until September 25, 2023.

Details:

• DOS proposed rule, 88 Fed. Reg. 48143 (July 26, 2023). https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2023-07-26/pdf/2023-15744.pdf

This is posting is for informational purposes and is not intended as legal advice. If you require further assistance or advice relating to the above, please contact our Principal Lawyer, Janice Flynn at janice@flynnhodkinson.com.