Special Consular Services

Money Transfers Through Western Union

Western Union operates in the United Kingdom. Money transfers via the Western Union can be collected at any of their agents. The transmission of funds takes approximately 15 minutes. Please see instructions below for people who have no identification.

Please note: To place a collect call (or "reverse the charge" as it is known in the United Kingdom) to the United States, dial

Depositors in the United States:  Depositors who have a major credit card with a sufficient limit can phone Western Union at 1-800-325-6000. Otherwise, the depositor can go to the nearest Western Union office in the United States to deposit cash. Please include the transfer fee, which will be based on the amount being sent. If you have Internet access, you can go to the Western Union website: www.westernunion.com

If the depositor in the United States is sending funds using a credit card, please ask them to request confirmation of their credit card as well as the Money Transfer Control Number which is unique to each transfer. If the depositor does not stay on the line for confirmation of their credit card, the deposit may take up to four hours to reach the United Kingdom.

Recipient in the United Kingdom:  If you have had money sent to you, call Western Union's Freephone at 0800-833-833. Staff at this number will be able to confirm receipt of funds and provide you with the name and address of the closest Western Union agent. Western Union pick-up points are located throughout London and in every major city in the United Kingdom. There are also pick-up points at most of the major airports.

The Western Union nearest the U.S. Embassy is located at Eurochange, 2 Portman Square, London, W1A 6LA, telephone: 020-7224-1418; opening hours 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

London airport locations for money collection

Everything Stolen? Lacking Identification?

In order to retrieve funds wired to you via Western Union, you must present some form of identification, such as your passport or driver's license. If you do not have any identification, you must obtain a crime report from the police to present to Western Union. You should then appear at the U.S. Embassy to apply for a new passport and obtain a letter stating that the Embassy will be issuing you with a passport. This letter, in conjunction with the police report, should allow you to pick up money from Western Union; however, this will be at the discretion of the Western Union Agent.

Western Union Locations in the Vicinity of the U.S. Embassy

(Others in London/UK can be found on www.westernunion.co.uk)

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