7 FAM 270
REPORT OF DEATH OF A U.S. CITIZEN ABROAD
(CT:CON-804; 04-30-2018)
(Office of Origin: CA/OCS)
7 FAM 271 Summary
(CT:CON-434; 01-22-2013)
a. Form DS-2060, Report of the Death of an American
Citizen Abroad, is the official notice of the death of a U.S. citizen abroad,
as distinguished from the initial notification to the Department and the
next-of-kin (NOK). (See 7 FAM 220).
b. Form DS-2060 reports are not issued for persons in
the U.S. military. They are issued Form DD-2064, Certificate of Death
(Overseas), by the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Armed Forces Medical
Examiner System.
c. If a private U.S. citizen is killed in an act of
terrorism and the remains are transported unembalmed to Dover Air Force Base to
be autopsied, the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology issues a death
certificate, a copy of which is used by the U.S. Embassy/Consulate as the basis
for Form DS-2060. (See 7 FAM 1820).
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NOTE: About Old Numbering -
Form DS-2060 supersedes Form OF-180 and Form FS-192. Consular officers may
still be presented with a Form OF-180 or FS-192 to verify death or
citizenship of a decedent, and should accept such forms unless there is
reason to question their validity.
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d. Administrative Report Not A Civil Death
Certificate: A consular Report of Death is an administrative report which
provides essential facts concerning the death of a U.S. citizen abroad and
custody of the personal estate of the deceased and must be completed for all
deaths of non-military U.S. citizens abroad.
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FAQ:
Consular Affairs, Overseas Citizens Services
(CA/OCS) is frequently asked why we issue administrative reports of the
deaths of U.S. citizens abroad. Early statutes and consular instructions
reflect that reporting on deaths of U.S. citizens was regarded as a primary
consular function to furnish the citizens family with an English language
record of the death and to create a U.S. record of the death.
Second Congress, Session I, Chapter 24, 1792
Statute I, April 14, 1792
Circular Instruction of August 30, 1900
General Instruction Number 338 of July 25, 1914
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e. Accuracy: Form DS-2060 is often used in the settlement
of legal and estate matters. It is important that the form be completed as
accurately as possible.
f. Questions: Direct inquiries about the issuance or
preparation of Form DS-2060 to CA/OCS/ACS. CA/OCS/L (ASK-OCS-L@state.gov)
assists ACS and posts abroad with legal questions regarding Form DS-2060, in
consultation with L/CA as appropriate.
g. Who May Issue a Consular Form DS-2060, Report of the
Death of an American Abroad?
(1) Generally, a Form DS-2060 should be issued by a
consular officer.
(2) In addition, consular associates so designated by
the CA Assistant Secretary or Deputy Assistant Secretary may sign Reports of
Death.
(3) In the absence of a consular officer or designated
consular associate, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs may
authorize a diplomatic officer to issue a Form DS-2060. Consular agents are
not authorized to issue Reports of Death.
(4) In countries with protecting powers, the
protecting power diplomatic or consular officer will obtain the information
necessary to issue Form DS-2060. The Form DS-2060 will be completed by the
U.S. Embassy in the protecting power country. For example: Reports of Death
of U.S. citizens who die in Iran are initiated by the Swiss Protecting Power in
Iran and completed by the U.S. Embassy in Bern, Switzerland. (See 7 FAM 1000).
(5) If there is no U.S. embassy or other U.S.
diplomatic or consular representation in a country and no protecting power, the
Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs may authorize a post in a third country
to issue a Form DS-2060 temporarily.
(6) The Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs may
also authorize designated persons in the Bureau of Consular Affairs to issue a
Form DS-2060 in the United States when there is no other alternative.
7 FAM 272 AUTHORITY
(CT:CON-364; 03-07-2011)
a. 22 U.S.C. 2715b(b) Reports of Death
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The consular officer may, for any United States
citizen who dies abroad (1) in the case of a finding of death by the
appropriate local authorities, issue a Form DS-2060.
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b. 22 CFR 72.5.
c. VCCR, Article 5, Consular functions consist in
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(f) Acting as notary and civil registrar and in
capacities of a similar kind, and performing certain functions of an
administrative nature, provided that there is nothing contrary thereto in the
laws and regulations of the receiving State.
(g) Safeguarding the interests of nationals, both
individuals and bodies corporate, of the sending State in cases of succession
mortis causa in the territory of the receiving State, in accordance with the
laws and regulations of the receiving State.
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d. 7 FAM 1410 and 7 FAM 1470
provide further guidance.
7 FAM 273 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE
CONSULAR Form DS-2060 AND THE LOCAL DEATH CERTIFICATE
(CT:CON-434; 01-22-2013)
a. Often the next-of-kin (NOK) cannot settle urgent
financial matters without the Form DS-2060. To prevent undue hardship on the
decedents family, it is important to complete the document as soon as
possible.
b Sometimes local officials issue a preliminary death
certificate certifying the fact of the death but stating that the cause of
death is undetermined, pending the results of further investigations. If the
consular officer is able to obtain a preliminary death certificate and
anticipates a delay of more than six weeks in obtaining the final death
certificate, issue a preliminary Form DS-2060. (See 7 FAM 277.1).
c. If local authorities will not issue a preliminary
death certificate and the consular officer anticipates a delay of more than six
weeks in issuance of Form DS-2060, advise the NOK of the reasons for the delay
by phone, e-mail, or fax and report the matter to CA/OCS/ACS by telegram using
CASC tags.
d. Responsibility for Obtaining Local Death
Certificate:
(1) The consular officer is responsible for obtaining
the local death certificate and other necessary documents for preparing the
Form DS-2060. Usually the consular officer obtains these directly from the
local authorities, or from the local funeral home handling the funeral
arrangements. In most countries these are provided to the consul at no
charge. If a charge is incurred, this should be included in the funds provided
by the family for disposition of the remains.
(2) In some countries the local authorities are
reluctant to issue documentation except to the NOK. In such cases the consular
officer should work with the NOK to expedite the process. In no case should
the consular officer require the family to obtain this documentation if it is
possible for the consular officer to get it.
e. If there is no civil authority to issue death
certificates due to civil unrest or other disruption of normal practices, posts
should consult CA/OCS/L (ASK-OCS-L@state.gov) for guidance as to what other
documentary evidence of death may be acceptable.
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NOTE: Some U.S. States
place limitations on release of a local death certificate, even to the
foreign consul in the United States, absent notarized requests from the
NOK. The Department has determined that this is not a violation of Article
37 of the VCCR, but encourages U.S. States to cooperate with requests from
foreign consuls. Questions about this practice should be addressed to
ASK-OCS-L@state.gov.
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7 FAM 274 GUIDELINES FOR PREPARING FORM
DS-2060, Report of the Death of an American Abroad
7 FAM 274.1 Accuracy of Content
(CT:CON-361; 03-01-2011)
To assist posts in preparing Form DS-2060, these
guidelines are provided. Because of the importance of Form DS-2060, the
information contained in the report must be accurate. The consular officer who
signs the form is responsible for its accuracy even if it is prepared by
another person, such as locally employed staff (LE staff). Before signing the
completed form, the consular officer should review it for accuracy.
7 FAM 274.2 Place and Date of Issue
(CT:CON-155; 02-07-2007)
The name of the consular office (American Embassy,
American Consulate General, American Consulate, U.S. Liaison Office, U.S.
Interests Section) must be shown on the form, along with the city, country, and
date of issuance of Form DS-2060. The Form DS-2060 should be issued by the
post that has consular jurisdiction over the place of death. When the death of
a U.S. citizen occurs in an area that is not in the consular jurisdiction of a
Foreign Service post, no Form DS-2060 may be issued without the Departments
prior advice and approval.
7 FAM 274.3 Social Security Number
(SSN)
(CT:CON-681; 10-11-2016)
The social security number is not essential. Include it
on the form if it is available at the post, from the family. The SSN can be
obtained from the passport application in PIERS (Passport Information
Electronic Record System).
7 FAM 274.4 Full Name
(CT:CON-153; 01-11-2007)
Use the name contained in the U.S. documentation presented
as proof of U.S. citizenship. If there is a discrepancy between the
citizenship documents, use the name shown on the passport (even if the passport
is not the most recent document). If no passport exists, use the name shown on
the most recent document. Capitalize the surname. Include aliases and maiden
names under Remarks, or in a continuation sheet, grommeting it to the first
sheet and initialing it.
7 FAM 274.5 Evidence of U.S. Citizenship
(CT:CON-153; 01-11-2007)
a. Identify fully the documentation accepted as proof
of citizenship. If it is a passport, cite its number, date of issuance, and
place of issuance on the Evidence of U.S. Citizenship line of the report.
For a naturalization certificate, give the serial number of the certificate.
If both a passport and a naturalization certification are available, cite the
passport information on the evidence line and the naturalization information
under Remarks.
b. If citizenship evidence is not available at the
post, via PIERS or if the local authorities, family, or friends have not
responded quickly to the posts inquiries, request confirmation of citizenship
telegraphically from CA/OCS/ACS. In these cases, show the passport number, the
date, and the place of issuance under Evidence of U.S. Citizenship, and state
under Remarks that the information was obtained from the Department of State.
7 FAM 274.6 Cause of Death
(CT:CON-364; 03-07-2011)
a. Cite the authority for issuing a Form DS-2060, such
as the death certificate or a physician, as well as the cause of death. If the
authority is a death certificate, cite the number of the certificate and name
the department, agency, or office in which it is filed. If the authority is a
physician, then list the physicians name, address, phone number, and authority
under local law for a physician to execute the death record.
b. Do not state on the report that the medical or death
certificate is attached. As an attachment is not part of any certified copies
issued by the Department, a statement about an attachment creates confusion.
c. Because the report is an English-language document
designed for use in the United States, include no foreign phrases under Cause
of Death. In this space insert the English translation of the cause of death
indicated on the local death certificate or medical report.
d. Resist any urge to editorialize. If there is
further information relating to the cause of death that should be known to the
Department, convey it separately by telegram.
e. Cause of Death Not Established: If the foreign
authorities decline to list a cause of death on the local death certificate,
post can list it on Form DS-2060: Not Listed by Local Authorities; Not
Provided by Local Authorities. For the purposes of Form DS-2060 we are
interested in the fact of the death. We cannot compel local authorities to
make a determination as to the cause of death. 7 FAM 258
paragraph b (2) provides information regarding cause of death and the consular
mortuary certificate.
7 FAM 274.7 Disposition of Effects
(CT:CON-153; 01-11-2007)
The expression, "Not Applicable," is not
appropriate for this item and will not be accepted by the Department. Each
decedent at least has clothing, and the disposition of even minimal effects
must be explained. (See 7 FAM 290.)
7 FAM 274.8 Remarks
(CT:CON-153; 01-11-2007)
a. In addition to information noted in sections 7 FAM 274.1
through 7 FAM
274.7 that might be included under Remarks, this section is also reserved
for information pertaining to disposition of citizenship documents.
b. If additional space is required, continue the
remarks on the reverse side of the report or separate sheet grommeted to the
first page and initial them there, as well as signing the front of the form.
7 FAM 274.9 Signing and Sealing
(CT:CON-155; 02-07-2007)
The consular officer must sign all copies of Form DS-2060.
The officers typed name and title must appear under the signature. Firmly
impress each copy made of Form DS-2060 with the consular impression seal so
that all details of the seal are legible on the document. This requires
cleaning the die frequently and obtaining a replacement when the seals details
are no longer fully discernible.
7 FAM 275 STILLBIRTHS
(CT:CON-434; 01-22-2013)
a. 7 FAM 1470
provides guidance regarding the consular documentation possible for
stillbirths.
b. 7 FAM 200 Appendix C provides additional guidance
about assisting families in these difficult circumstances.
c. Direct questions to CA/OCS/L (ASK-OCS-L@state.gov).
7 FAM 276 DISTRIBUTING FORM DS-2060,
Report of the Death of an American Citizen
7 FAM 276.1 Distribution to the
Department and Other U.S. Agencies
(CT:CON-681; 10-11-2016)
a. Attach to the original Form DS-2060 the original local
death certificate, which is the basis for the report. Then send the original
and one copy of Form DS-2060 to the Department, Passport
Services for filing. See 7 FAM 276.5 for address.
b. If the deceased was receiving Social Security benefits, provide a copy of Form DS-2060 to the Servicing Federal Benefits Unit.
c. If the deceased was receiving other Federal benefits, send copies of the
DS-2060 directly to the Federal agencies involved, per 7 FAM 500.
d. See also 7 FAM 228 regarding notifying federal benefits agency of the death.
7 FAM 276.2 Distribution to Next of
Kin (NOK) and Legal Representative
(CT:CON-364; 03-07-2011)
a. Send up to 20 copies of Form DS-2060 to the legal
representative of the deceased, generally the NOK and/or legal representative.
(22 CFR 22.1) At the time the original Form DS-2060 is prepared, additional
copies may be sent also to other persons with a valid need for the report.
When in doubt, consult CA/OCS/ACS.
b. Copies issued to these persons at the time the
original is prepared are free of charge (22 CFR 22.1).
c. Copies of Form DS-2060 mailed to relatives and to
the legal representative should be accompanied by a brief letter explaining how
additional copies may be obtained and to again convey sympathy. (See 7 FAM Exhibit
222.3 Part 3.)
d. 7 FAM 276.5
provides information regarding release of certified copies by Passport Services
Vital Records Section.
7 FAM 276.3 Copy for State Vital
Statistics Offices
(CT:CON-364; 03-07-2011)
a. If the decedent was born in the United States send a
copy of Form DS-2060 to the State vital statistics office of the U.S. State of
birth. Forward this copy under cover of a short memo indicating that it is
being sent to allow that office to annotate its vital statistics records. If
the decedent was born abroad no copy should be sent to vital statistics offices
of the country of birth.
b. Addresses of the various state offices concerned are
found in the Department of Health and Human Services on line publication, Where
to Write for Vital Records, which is revised periodically.
c. This is in addition to the e-mail notification of
the state vital records office by email within 5 days of post notification of
the death of the U.S. citizen born in a U.S. State or other U.S. jurisdiction.
(See 7 FAM 227.)
7 FAM 276.4 Copy for Post Files and
Other Posts
(CT:CON-494; 11-04-2013)
a. Place a copy of Form DS-2060 in the posts consular
files.
b. If a part of the personal estate of the deceased is
known to be in another consular district, send a copy of Form DS-2060 to that
Foreign Service post.
7 FAM 276.5 Passport Services
Records Division - Post Transmittal of File Copy of the Form DS-2060
(CT:CON-530; 09-17-2014)
Monthly, posts must complete Form DS-2060 and transmit the
file copy to record keeping:
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U.S. Department of State
Record Services Division
CA/PPT/S/TO/RS
44132 Mercure Circle
[DHL/FedEx/UPS]
P.O. Box 1213 [USPS]
Sterling, VA 20166-1213
Posts abroad should continue to send the above
documentation to CA/PPT via diplomatic pouch, as appropriate.
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7 FAM 276.6 Passport Services Vital
Records Section - Additional Copies of Form DS-2060
(CT:CON-681; 10-11-2016)
a. Posts often receive requests for copies of Form DS-2060
long after the original was issued.
b. Upon request by a person having a valid need, the
Passport Services Vital Records Section will provide certified copies of the
document (Form DS-2060). See the Consular Affairs Internet page How To Apply
For a Certified Copy of One of These Reports for guidance on how a person may
make a request for a certified copy of a Form DS-2060.
c. The fee for each copy of the document is prescribed
in 22 CFR 22.1.
d. The Vital Records Section is an integral part of the
Records Services Division of Passport Services. The Sections mission is to
manage the various vital records (non-passport) under the purview of the Bureau
of Consular Affairs and to issue certified or authenticated copies of such
records pursuant to authorized requests. The Vital Records Section also
affixes apostilles on consular birth and death records in accordance with the
Hague Legalization Convention (7 FAM 876).
e. Delegation of Authority: Under Delegation of
Authority Number 143 from the Under Secretary for Management dated October 30,
1981, the Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs is authorized to issue
certificates of authentication and certifications under the seal of the
Department of State and in the name of the Secretary of State or the Acting
Secretary of State, for documents maintained by Passport Services. This
authority has been re-delegated to officers in Passport Services Vital Records
Section.
f. Release of Certified Copies: The Vital Records
Section will release copies of Form DS-2060 to a person with a valid need.
Information related to third parties is excised if the requester is not
identified as an immediate family member, executor of the estate, or law
enforcement. (See 7
FAM 060 and 7 FAM 1300 Appendix J.)
g. Consular posts in need of assistance from the Vital
Records Section should direct their inquiries to their CA/OCS/ACS contacts.
The ACS officer will make the initial contact with the Vital Records Section.
This will save posts from searching for the appropriate Vital Records officer
or sending blanket e-mails seeking assistance.
h. Panama Canal Zone Vital Records: Persons seeking
consular vital records or Panama Canal Zone records can write to the Vital
Records Section at:
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U.S. Department of State
Record Services Division
Vital Records Section
CA/PPT/S/TO/RS
44132 Mercure Circle [DHL/FedEx/UPS]
P.O. Box 1213 [USPS]
Sterling, VA 20166-1213
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i. Requests should include all available information
pertaining to the event or document desired. In addition to a return address,
the requester should include a daytime telephone number or e-mail address in
the event more information is required. The written request must be notarized
and include a photocopy of the requesters valid driver's license or other
government issued identification card. (See 7 FAM 1448.)
Appropriate fees must be provided by check or money order, payable through a
U.S. bank. Current fees, along with additional information, are available on
the Internet at the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet Web page or by calling
the Vital Records Sections automated line at 202-485-8300.
j. Advise an inquirer to include in the request the
following complete identifying information:
(1) Submit a signed and notarized written request
including all pertinent facts of the occasion along with a copy of the requesters
valid photo identification.
(2) General Information:
(a) Date of request;
(b) Purpose of request;
(c) Document Individual Is Requesting (Form DS-2060);
(d) Number of documents requesting; and
(e) Current mailing address and daytime telephone number.
(3) Facts of Death:
(a) Name (at birth/death);
(b) Name after adoption (if applicable);
(c) Date of death;
(d) Country of death;
(e) Fathers name;
(f) Fathers date and place (state/country) of birth;
(g) Mothers name;
(h) Mothers date and place (state/country) of birth;
and
(i) Fees: See 22 CFR 22.1 for current fees. Check or
money order must be signed, dated, and made payable to Department of State.
Remittance must be payable in U.S. dollars through a U.S. bank. Do not send
cash.
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NOTE: Additional
Requirements:
Notarized signature
A copy of a valid identification of the requester,
such as a drivers license, military identification, or passport.
If you possess a Form DS-2060, please enclose a
copy to aid in our file search.
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SUBMIT REQUESTS TO:
U.S. Department of State
Record Services Division
Vital Records Section
CA/PPT/S/TO/RS
44132 Mercure Circle [DHL/FedEx/UPS]
P.O. Box 1213 [USPS]
Sterling, VA 20166-1213
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Turnaround Time:
Most consular vital records must be retrieved from
off-site repositories, including the National Archives. Thus, the time it
takes varies greatly based on the type of record and date of occurrence,
making it difficult to give a definite timeframe. However, in most cases,
turnaround is four to eight weeks.
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Expedited Service:
Overnight delivery can save about ten days
processing time, but there is no way to reduce the retrieval time. Overnight
return via Federal Express is available domestically for an additional fee or
the requester may provide a pre-paid air bill for the carrier of choice. For
the current schedule of fees, see 22 CFR 22.1.
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Additional Information:
The Vital Records Section can be reached at (202)
485-8300.
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k. If Passport Services is unable to locate a file copy
of the Report of the Death of an American Citizen, the request for verification
of the death should be directed to CA/OCS/L which will treat the matter as a
Freedom of Information Act request and attempt to reconstruct the case from
death reporting cables and ACS system records. If the family has a copy of the
report of death bearing the seal of the issuing office, and CA/OCS is able to
verify the death from existing records, CA/OCS/L may be able to verify the
death through authentication of Department records. Such cases should be
brought to CA/OCS/Ls attention at ASK-OCS-L@state.gov. If no Department
records exist any longer, it may be necessary for post to assist the family in
obtaining an authenticated copy of the local foreign death certificate.
7 FAM 277 Corrections to Form Ds-2060,
Report of the Death of an American Citizen
7 FAM 277.1 Preliminary Form
DS-2060
(CT:CON-155; 02-07-2007)
a. When a delay of more than six weeks is anticipated
in obtaining all the information necessary for completion of Form DS-2060, the
consular officer should prepare and distribute a preliminary Form DS-2060. A
preliminary report must be prepared on Form DS-2060 but with the title or
remarks section clearly amended to read Preliminary Report of the Death of an
American Citizen Abroad.
b. A preliminary report may not be based on less than
official notification in writing that death has occurred. Circumstantial
evidence, such as the return of SSA checks or a letter from a relative, is not
sufficient to warrant the preparation of a preliminary report.
c. If the consular officer anticipates a delay of more
than six weeks in obtaining the documentation necessary for issuing Form DS-2060
and is unable to obtain an official notification in writing that death has
occurred, the officer should send a direct relay telegram to the NOK,
explaining the reason for the delay.
7 FAM 277.2 Correcting Errors
(CT:CON-220; 12-19-2007)
If a post discovers an error on the Form DS-2060 after it
is prepared, but before it is sent to the Department for filing, the post can
issue a new report of death. The post should retrieve and destroy the
erroneous copies, issue a new Form DS-2060, and distribute that.
7 FAM 277.3 Amended Form DS-2060
(CT:CON-530; 09-17-2014)
a. At present, Passport Services Vital Records Section
cannot amend or correct Form DS-2060. If errors or omissions are made in Form DS-2060
already forwarded to the Department, the family should contact CA/OCS/ACS or
contact post directly for assistance in the issuance of an amended Form DS-2060.
This must be created by the U.S. embassy or consulate which prepared the
original Report.
b. When an amendment of Form DS-2060 is required, the
post should type the word amended at the top of the form. The date on which
the amended report is prepared is the date to be shown in the space under the
document title, calling for Post & date of issue.
c. Send the original of the amended report to the
Department, Passport Services for filing. Send a copy to each person listed on
the first report, along with an explanatory letter, requesting that the first
copy or copies be returned to post for destruction. Copies of these letters
should be sent to Passport Services for filing with the amended Form DS-2060.
The record will be scanned into Passport Issuance Electronic Records System
(PIERS) via Passport Lookout Out Tracking System (PLOTS) in the future.
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Send the documents to:
U.S. Department of State
Record Services Division
CA/PPT/S/TO/RS
44132 Mercure Circle [DHL/FedEx/UPS]
P.O. Box 1213 [USPS]
Sterling, VA 20166-1213
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d. The Department's Passport Services, Vital Records
Section will attach the amended Form DS-2060 to the original record.
7 FAM 278 Revocation/Cancelation of
Form DS-2060
(CT:CON-565; 01-23-2015)
a. Form DS-2060 may be revoked/canceled with the
approval of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Overseas Citizens Services or
the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Passport Services if it is determined that
the report was issued in error either due to mistaken identity or fraud.
b. If such an allegation is made, the matter should be
referred to CA/OCS/L (ASK-OCS-L@state.gov) which will coordinate with PPT, FPP,
DS, and L/CA as appropriate.
c. If Form DS-2060 is revoked, permanent records in
Passport Services Vital Records and consular automated systems must be
annotated as appropriate. An appropriate entry will be made in the CLASS
(Consular Lookout and Support System) system depending on the facts and
circumstances of the case (see the CA/FPP Intranet page).
7 FAM 279 verification of u.s.
citizenship of deceased and disposition of passports, AND other citizenship
documents
(CT:CON-601; 09-04-2015)
a. Since a completed Form DS-2060 is acceptable as
evidence of a persons citizenship at the time of death, the consular officer
may accept as verification of that persons citizenship only those documents
which are considered acceptable for passport issuance (see 7 FAM 1320), if
the name clears and there has been no finding of loss of nationality as reflected
in CLASS (Consular Lookout and Support System). Consular officers must
exercise due care in confirming the citizenship of the deceased.
b. Do not prepare a Form DS-2060 when neither the
consular officer nor the Department can determine the citizenship of the
deceased, after making all reasonable local efforts. In such cases, enter in
the ACS system and send to the CA/OCS/ACS a record of the efforts made and the
evidence uncovered or found, and mark the posts file for destruction three
years after the last communication or action on the case. Any previously
issued copies should be recovered by the post for destruction.
c. Disposition of Passport:
(1) Passport: If the family requests to keep the
passport, cancel the passport of a deceased U.S. citizen, consistent with 7 FAM
1300 Appendix Z, by punching holes in the machine readable zone. Do not
stamp the word canceled on the personal identification page. Notify the
Consular Lost and Stolen Passport (CLASP) office in Passport Services so that
cancelation of the passport can be recorded in the official passport records of
the Department. If the family does not wish to keep the passport of the
deceased U.S. citizen as a memento, see 7 FAM 1300 Appendix L for guidance regarding disposition of the passport.
(2) Return or provide the canceled passport to the NOK
either with the Form DS-2060, or with the decedents personal effects. Note
the fact of the cancelation and the disposition of the document in the
Remarks section of Form DS-2060.
(3) If no NOK has been identified, follow 7 FAM 1300
Appendix L guidance regarding disposition
of the passport. Note the fact of the cancelation and the disposition of the
document in the "Remarks" section of Form DS-2060.
d. Enter the name of the deceased in the CLASS system
in accordance with 7
FAM 227.
e. Disposition of Other Citizenship Documents
(1) Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship:
(a) The consular officer annotates the certificate of
naturalization or citizenship of a deceased U.S. citizen by an endorsement,
showing the date and place of death of the person to whom it was issued.
(b) Return or forward the naturalization or citizenship
certificate to the NOK, either with the Form DS-2060, or with the decedents
personal effects.
(c) Notify U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
(USCIS) of the death of the bearer of a certificate of naturalization or
certificate of citizenship, even if there is a NOK or legal representative
identified, to permit USCIS to enter the fact of the death in its database.
Send the notification to USCIS Records, 1200 First Street NE, MS-2204, Washington, DC
20529-2200, referencing the name of the deceased, date of birth,
place of birth, naturalization or certificate of citizenship number, and date
and place of issuance and disposition of the certificate.
(d) When no NOK or legal representative is located,
return the document to CA/OCS under cover of a memorandum. CA/OCS/L will
forward the documents to USCIS at the above address. Note the cancelation of
the certificate and its disposition in the Remarks section of Form DS-2060.
(2) Report of Birth: If a Form FS-240, Consular
Report of Birth Abroad of Citizen of the United States of America (Form FS-240
was replaced by Form DS-2060), is found among the personal effects of
unaccompanied decedent:
(a) Form FS-240 is not canceled. The post should
annotate the back of the Form FS-240 with a hand written or rubber stamped note
reflecting the date of death and the issuance of Form DS-2060. Do not stamp
canceled on the document as families find this offensive. This is done because
the Form FS-240 is proof of U.S. citizenship and this annotation on the reverse
side of the familys copy bearing the seal of the issuing office will assist in
preventing future use of the document for fraudulent purposes;
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For example:
John Smith, to whom Form FS-240 was issued, died
January 12, 2007 in Bangkok, Thailand, as reflected on Form DS-2060 on file
with the U.S. Department of State, Passport Services Vital Records Section.
Date
Typed Name of Consular Officer
Title of Consular Officer
Initials of Consular Officer
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(b) Post should notify the Department's Passport
Services, Vital Records Section of the death of a subject of Form FS-240 or
Form DS-1350, Certification of Birth. The Vital Records Section will place a
D in the Reviewed Citizenship field of the electronic record to reflect
that fact of the death in the birth records. The "D" indicator in
the system alerts Passport Records staff that the subject is deceased and that
they should not issue a certified copy of Form FS-240 or Form DS-1350,
Certificate of Birth, as a fraud prevention measure. If proof of the
decedents acquisition of US citizenship at birth is required, Vital Records
can issue a certified letter attesting to the birth facts.
f. Other Documents:
(1) Return other documents, such as birth
certificates, to the NOK or legal representative.
(2) Annotate with notation of death a Card of Identity
and Registration and handle it in the same manner as a U.S. passport.