Death Abroad, Missing Persons, and Disaster
What do I do when a U.S. citizen dies abroad?
Short answer
Call the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate immediately. They will issue a Consular Report of Death of a U.S. Citizen Abroad — the official U.S. document used in place of a death certificate for domestic purposes. They can also advise on local…
What this usually means
Call the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate immediately. They will issue a Consular Report of Death of a U.S. Citizen Abroad — the official U.S. document used in place of a death certificate for domestic purposes. They can also advise on local death registration, repatriation, and local funeral options.
What to do next
- Start the PathAfter checklist for situation-aware first steps.
- Find California county phone numbers for coroner, vital records, and local offices.
- Open the First 72 Hours Call Log before making calls.
- Open the Documents to Find Checklist when you are ready for paperwork.