Consulate General, Edinburgh.
Frequently Asked Questions.
What would you recommend I do prior to my visit to Scotland?
We highly recommend that any traveler to Scotland purchase independent travel insurance which covers medical costs; it is a small investment that goes a long way in ensuring your welfare. Another good measure to take is to register your trip with the Consulate; registration can be completed online at www.travel.state.gov. While you are on the
travel.state.gov
website, take a look at the Country Specific Information which provides up-to-date information on the UK.
In the months before your travel date, you will also want to check your passport's expiration date to make sure it is valid and will not expire before your return trip. While you are here, please maintain a tight grip on your passport; having to replace the passport and your other valuable IDs and credit cards can seriously detract from a good holiday.
Where is the Consulate and how do I get there?
The U.S. Consulate is located at 3 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5BW. Regent Terrace is located near the Robert Burns monument which is on Regent Road. Those traveling by train to Waverley Station will turn East on Princes Street, walking past the Balmoral Hotel and the Wellington Statue. Continue along Regent Road for about 10 minutes. You will see the U.S. flag waving in front of the Consulate.
Is there parking near the Consulate?
There is usually metered parking available on Regent Road. Parking on Regent Terrace is very limited. The current cost is £1 for one hour. Parking without a ticket can cost £30.
When is the Consulate open to the public, and do I need an appointment?
The Consulate is open for walk-in application processing and notary services from 9:00am to 1:00pm Tuesdays and Thursdays, except on public holidays. Exceptions to these hours will be published on our website and recorded on our automated telephone message.
My passport is not valid for six months; does this matter if I'm traveling visa free to the U.S.?
Full details on visa free travel to the United States can be found on the visa information pages of the London Embassy website, london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/visa/niv/vwp.html, or contact the Live Visa Operator at 09042-450-100 (£1.20/min).
How do I vote in U.S. elections while overseas?
Overseas citizens are eligible and encouraged to participate in primary, run-off, and special elections that occur throughout the year, as well as the general elections in November. This election cycle, some presidential primary elections will take place as early as January 2008, and a significant number of primaries are set for February. The Federal Voting Assistance Program website, www.fvap.gov has a wealth of information about absentee voting, including the downloadable absentee ballot application, state-specific instructions for completing the form, and links to state and local officials. Voting Assistance is also available at the U.S. Consulate in Edinburgh by calling 0131 556-8315 or writing to us at VoteEdinburgh@state.gov.
When will American Citizen Services be offered near my city?
The U.S. Consul regularly provides American Citizen Services in cities outside of the capital. We advertise these trips on our website london.usembassy.gov/scotland/index.htm, and send out announcements via Edinburgh-Updates. If you would like to receive our announcements, send an email with "sign me up" in the subject line to Edinburgh-Updates@state.gov.
Why is it difficult to reach a person when I call the Consulate?
We are interested in receiving your call, so if you are unable to reach someone, we ask you to please leave a message and method of contact if you are calling from within Scotland. To maximize our limited resources, we make every effort to ensure that answers to the most frequently asked questions are readily available, either on our website or on the prerecorded message. By helping individuals to find information they are seeking, resources can be dedicated to situations that require a unique solution. In addition to leaving a message, there is the option of writing to us at Edinburgh-Info@state.gov. We respond quickly to messages, and are often able to provide a more thoroughly researched response through this method of contact.
I want to come to Scotland to work / live / visit /study. What do I need?
See: www.britainusa.org
Will the Consulate transfer my visa into my new U.S. passport?
The U.S. government cannot insert a foreign visa into a U.S. passport. Many people choose to carry their old passport along with their new one. For information and forms on how to have the UK government transfer the visa into the new passport, please visit the UK Home Office website at www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/ukresidency/transfervisatopassport/.
I want to work at the U.S. Consulate in Scotland. Are there job openings there?
Vacancies for State Department positions throughout the United Kingdom will be advertised at www.usembassy.org.uk/hrd/curvac.html. Applications for internships and other state department positions can be found on www.state.gov/employment. The U.S. Consulate in Edinburgh cannot accept any applications directly, but when there is an opening at the Consulate we advertise on our website and in our newsletter.
My green visa/departure card is still in my passport. What should I do with it?
It is very important that the card be turned in to the proper authorities so that immigration computer systems can be updated. You must complete the back of the card listing the port and date of departure from the United States along with the carrier/flight information. The I-94 or I94W, together with a letter of explanation and evidence of your departure from the U.S. should be sent to:
ACS-USCBP, SBU, P.O. Box 7125, London, KY 40742-7125, USA.
Do not mail your card to the Consulate; we are unable to process the card and it will be returned to you.
Can you send me the forms and information I need for my application?
Procedures and forms are updated regularly, and are applicant-specific. In order for individuals to ensure that they understand the requirements for the application, it is important that they review the associated instructions. The Consulate cannot send out the numerous pages that would be associated with each application. Most individuals without computers or printers rely on family, friends, Internet cafes or public libraries to get the information and forms that they require.
I have a visa question; how can I get an answer?
U.S. visas are issued by the U.S. Embassy London and Consulate General Belfast. Because the U.S. Consulate in Edinburgh does not issue visas and does not have visa examiners on staff, we are not able to address visa matters. If you have a question on visas or the Visa Waiver Program and cannot find the answer you need on london.usembassy.gov, you can call the Live Operator for Visas and Nonimmigrant Appointments at 09042 450 100 Monday through Friday, between 8.00 am and 8.00 pm, and Saturday, between 09.00 am and 4.00 pm. Calls to this line are charged at £1.20/min from BT landlines.
Why doesn't the Consulate in Edinburgh issue visas?
After the UK became part of the Visa Waiver Program in the late 1980's,there was a significant reduction in the number of persons needing visas to travel and, subsequently, Edinburgh ceased to be a visa-issuing post. The State Department is currently looking at ways that advanced technology can expand the locations for visa-processing. When this change affects applicants from Scotland, we will widely publicize the service.
How do I contact the U.S. Embassy in London?
The U.S. Embassy's main switchboard at 0207 499 9000 can connect you to various offices located at the U.S. Embassy in London. Numbers for offices can be located under the A-Z Index at the top of the Embassy's webpage e.g. IRS, Fulbright Commission. The Passport and Citizenship unit under "American Citizen Services" advertises a number and email for their office. Individuals calling for visa information will need to call 09042 450 100 Monday through Friday, between 8.00 am and 8.00 pm, and Saturday, between 09.00 am and 4.00 pm. Calls to this line are charged at £1.20/min from BT landlines.
The general mailing address for the U.S. Embassy is 24, Grosvenor Square, London W1A 1AE. To ensure delivery, correspondence intended for the U.S. Embassy in London should be sent directly to the Embassy, rather than routed through the Consulate.
I lost my U.S. birth certificate. How do I get a copy of this document?
An official copy of a Birth Certificate can be obtained from the state in which you were born. The same holds true for other vital records such as marriage, divorce and death certificates. You can find the contact details for each state on the National Center for Health Statistics website, www.cdc.gov/nchs/howto/w2w/w2welcom.htm, or order your documents from the VitalChek express document service, www.vitalchek.com.
How do I get an official replacement copy of a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA)?
The Consulate does not keep CRBAs on file, but you can obtain an official replacement copy by sending a written request to the Department of State in Washington, D.C. Current information on how to apply and fees can be found on the Department of State's website at www.travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_825.html.
AMENDING OR CORRECTING YOUR CHILD’S CRBA
If you notice an error on your child's CRBA when you receive it, please contact us by telephone on 0131 556 8315 or by e-mail to Edinburgh-Info@state.gov.
To amend or correct a Consular Report of Birth after 30 days has passed and the records have been sent to Washington D.C., submit a written request, accompanied by certified copies of all appropriate legal documents related to the requested amendment/correction, i.e. foreign birth certificate, marriage certificate, court ordered adoption or name change, birth certificates of the adopting or legitimating parents, affidavits, etc. The original FS-240 or replacement FS-240, or a notarized affidavit concerning its whereabouts, also must be included. NOTE: Allow at least 6 months from the printing of the original CRBA for the Vital Records Section to have your CRBA properly documented, filed, and available.
How do we get married in Scotland?
As of February 01 2005, non-UK citizens who wish to marry in the United Kingdom will need to have the correct visa. For information on documentation required to get married in Scotland, visit www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/regscot/getting-married-in-scotland/index.html.
How do we get married in the United States?
Requirements vary from state to state. An excellent source for each state’s requirements for marriage can be found at
www.usmarriagelaws.com
.
How do I obtain a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage?
The United States does not issue “Certificates of No Impediment”. Most Scottish Registrars are aware of this and waive that requirement.
How do I obtain a second passport for business?
Current regulations prohibit the possession of more than one valid passport at any time unless under circumstances specifically authorized by the Secretary of State. The only justification considered for issuance of a second passport is an urgent need for international travel while the bearer's full validity passport is unavailable due to visa processing at other embassies. You are required to present your valid ten year passport to apply for a second passport. If you are unable to do this because your passport is already being processed for a visa at another office, you may not apply for a second passport. If you must travel before your passport will be returned to you, obtaining an
emergency passport may be necessary.
For a second passport, you will be required to submit the same documents as for a standard passport renewal using form DS-82, including photos and Special Delivery envelope. You will also need to provide a letter from your employer stating your need for a second passport due to business travel. Please click here for additional information.
How do I get a background check for my new job?
The FBI handles fingerprint records and provides the documentation needed. For instructions and information, visit www.fbi.gov/hq/cjisd/fprequest.htm.
Is it true that my state drivers license cannot be used in the UK?
In most cases, your valid stateside drivers license can only be used in the UK for a grace period of one year. In order to legally drive and maintain insurance after the one year point, you will need a British Driver's License. Getting the license requires taking a theory test, as well as, a driving test so it pays to plan ahead. For additional information, visit the www.dvla.gov.uk.
What is an International Drivers License and can I use it in the UK?
The term "International Drivers License" or "International Drivers Permit" may be a bit of a misnomer because the document is not a license by itself nor does it allow driving privileges. The document is not a substitute for a state drivers license or a UK drivers license but is sometimes requested to be shown in conjunction with these documents at auto rental agencies. What it provides is a translation of a valid drivers license into several languages. Internet search engines can provide a list of numerous companies that will produce an International Drivers License for a fee of about $50. For additional information, visit the www.dvla.gov.uk.
What items are prohibited from entry into the United States?
Information on U.S. customs matters may be found on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website at www.customs.treas.gov, including importing and exporting, law enforcement activities, and a “Know Before You Go” guide for the international traveler.
Among articles prohibited are: absinthe, liquor-filled candy, lottery tickets, narcotics and dangerous drugs, obscene articles and publications, seditious and treasonous materials, hazardous articles (e.g., fireworks, dangerous toys, toxic or poisonous substances), products made by convicts or forced labor, and switchblades .
Meats, livestock, poultry and their by-products (such as sausage or pate), are prohibited or restricted from entering the United States, depending upon the animal disease condition in the country of origin. Please contact the U.S. Department of Agriculture at the following for further information:
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE; Imports-Exports Products Staff; APHIS, VS; Federal Building; 6505 Belcrest Road; Hyattsville, MD 20782
001-301-734-3294
Pirated copies of copyrighted articles produced without the authorization of the copyright owner are prohibited from importation into the United States.
Foreign-made trademarked articles may be limited as to the quantity which may be brought into the United States if the American owner of the registered trademark has recorded it with U.S. Customs. The types of articles usually of interest to travelers are: 1) lenses, cameras, binoculars, optical goods; 2) tape recorders, musical instruments; 3) jewelry, precious metal-ware; 4) perfumery; 5) watches, clocks. Persons arriving in the U.S. with a trademarked article are allowed an exemption, usually one article of a type bearing a protected trademark. The article must be for your personal use and not for sale.
Wildlife and fish are subject to certain import and export restrictions, prohibitions, permits or certificates, and quarantine requirements. This includes:
wild birds, mammals including marine mammals, reptiles, crustaceans, fish, and mollusks;
any part or product, such as skins, feathers, eggs; and
products and articles manufactured from wildlife and fish.
Endangered species of wildlife and products made from them are prohibited from being imported or exported. If you contemplate importing articles made from wildlife, such as tortoise shell jewelry, leather goods, articles made from whalebone, ivory, skins, or furs, please contact, prior to your departure to the United States, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the following address:
U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE; Department of the Interior; Washington, D.C. 20240; 001-703-358-2093
Unsterilized specimens of human and animal tissue (including blood, body discharges and excretions); cultures of living bacteria, viruses or similar organisms; animals suspected of being infected with a disease transmissible to humans; and insects, snails and bats may require an import permit from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Please contact the CDC at the following address for further information:
OFFICE OF HEALTH AND SAFETY; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (F-05); 1600 Clifton Road; Atlanta, GA 30333; 001-404-639-3235
If you haven't found your question here
You can e-mail a question to us at Edinburgh-Info@state.gov or look at the consular information pages on the London Embassy's website, london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/acs/index.html.
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