Traveling abroad: US government help
If you're a US citizen traveling abroad, the State Department can help before you go and if something goes wrong. Here are the official pages for travel advisories, STEP, passports, finding the nearest US embassy or consulate, and emergency help.
In this article · 4 sections
The short answer
The US State Department's official travel site, travel.state.gov, is the place to start.1 Before a trip it has advisories and passport help. During a trip, US embassies and consulates can help citizens in an emergency, such as a lost passport, an arrest, an illness or a crisis.
Before you go
Check the travel advisory
The State Department rates every country from Level 1 (exercise normal precautions) to Level 4 (do not travel), with details on specific risks.5
Enroll in STEP
The free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program lets you register your trip so the nearest US embassy can send you safety updates and reach you in an emergency.6
Check your passport
Make sure it's valid well beyond your trip and has blank pages; some countries have their own rules. The passports section explains applying, renewing and processing times.4
Save the embassy details
Find the US embassy or consulate for where you're going and save its address and phone number on your phone.7
If something goes wrong abroad
Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate
Its website, found through usembassy.gov, lists emergency contact details. The State Department says embassies have duty officers available after hours for emergencies.3
If you can't reach the embassy
The State Department's Help Abroad page lists these numbers:2
From the US and Canada888-407-4747As listed on travel.state.gov, checked Oct 2026
From other countries+1 202-501-4444As listed on travel.state.gov, checked Oct 2026
Lost or stolen passport
Report it, which cancels the passport so no one else can use it, then contact the nearest US embassy or consulate. If you need to travel soon, they can usually issue an emergency passport.3
For a local emergency, such as a medical emergency, fire or crime in progress, call the local emergency number first.
The calm takeaway: a few minutes before you leave (check the advisory, enroll in STEP, save the embassy's details) means that if anything goes wrong, you already know who to call.
Keep reading
- Airline contact directory
- Hotel and rental car help
- Airport guides with official maps
- All travel help pages.
Quick answers
What is STEP?
The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program is a free State Department service for US citizens traveling abroad. You register your trip so the nearest US embassy can send you safety information and contact you in an emergency.
How do I find the nearest US embassy or consulate?
Use the official finder at usembassy.gov, which links to every US embassy and consulate website, with local contact details.
What if I lose my passport abroad?
The State Department says to report it, which cancels the passport, and contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, which can issue an emergency passport if you need to travel soon.
What number can I call for help abroad?
Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate first. If you can't reach them, the State Department lists emergency numbers on its Help Abroad page: 888-407-4747 from the US and Canada, and +1 202-501-4444 from other countries (as listed on travel.state.gov, checked Oct 2026).
Sources
(7)
- U.S. Department of State, Travel.State.gov
- U.S. Department of State, Help abroad (emergencies)
- U.S. Department of State, Lost or stolen passport abroad
- U.S. Department of State, Passports
- U.S. Department of State, Travel advisories
- U.S. Department of State, Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
- U.S. Embassies and Consulates, usembassy.gov
Facts last checked against these sources: October 25, 2026.