Privacy Act Form 5505

If there is an emergency and you would like to talk directly with the embassy about a family member who is over 18, they will need to have a Privacy Act form filled out and signed by the traveler. Without this form filled out and signed, you will not be able to communicate directly with the embassy about your family member.

Travel medical and evacuation insurance is a critical part of a safety and financial plan. In addition, making sure your emergency communication plan is in place with the proper documents filled out and ready is priceless.

The Privacy Act of 1974 prohibits a U.S. Consular Office from releasing any information about a U.S. citizen without their written consent except as set forth in the Act. A U.S. citizen can complete a Privacy Act Waiver (Form DS-5505) authorizing a Consular Officer to contact individuals on their behalf and disclose information.

We advise U.S. citizens to carefully consider the individuals to whom they authorize the disclosure of information.  However, we also note that failure to complete the Privacy Act Waiver may make it more difficult, or impossible, for the Department of State to provide assistance.