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American Embassy in London
Voting Overseas
Are you an US citizen living in the United Kingdom? Think you may be eligible to vote? Wondering how you can vote in the US elections from the UK this year?
Great news! US citizens living overseas can participate in all general, primary and special elections for federal offices. All you need to do is submit an absentee ballot. Registering to vote and submitting a ballot is fast, easy and can be done from anywhere in the UK.
Follow these simple steps to make sure that you can vote in the 2020 US elections:
1) Request your Ballot: The Federal Voting
Assistance Programme (FVAP) has some useful tools to help US voters get information on their state’s absentee voting process, key election dates, deadlines for registration, etc. Most states provide the option to request ballots through their state election portals. But don’t worry if you can’t find your state: every state’s portal can be accessed via FVAP’s website at FVAP.gov. Pro tip: Choose to complete a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). This allows you to request absentee ballots for all elections during the calendar year, including the primaries, making the process a whole lot easier and less time- consuming. Not sure how to complete the FPCA? FVAP’s easy online assistant guides you through completing the form, one step at a time. We recommend that you request your ballot via email, as this is by far the fastest way to receive your ballot.
2) Receive and Complete Your Ballot:
States are required to send out ballots 45 days before a regular election for federal office, and states generally send out ballots at least 30 days before primary elections. Most states allow you to confirm your ballot delivery online.
3) Return Your Completed, Signed Ballot:
Some states allow you to return your completed ballot electronically and others do not. If your state requires you to return paper voting forms or ballots to local election officials by mail, you can do so through international mail, professional courier service, or through the diplomatic pouch at US Embassy London, US Consulate General Edinburgh, or US Consulate Belfast.
But for faster service, use the British Postal System: Place British postage on your completed, signed, dated FPCA or voted ballot, and mail it directly to the local election officials in the state where you vote. Make sure USA is indicated at the end of the address of your US board of elections. Then, mail it from any Royal Mail post office.
And that’s it! Fast, easy and can be done anywhere! Get registering!
Online Resources:
• For election dates and deadlines, subscribe to FVAP’s Voting Alerts (vote@fvap.gov). FVAP also shares Voting Alerts via Facebook (@DODFVAP), Twitter (@FVAP), and Instagram (@fvapgov)
• You can learn more at the Federal Voting Assistance Program’s (FVAP) website, FVAP.gov
• Follow the US Embassy on Twitter (@ USAinUKConsular) for voting information and other news for US citizens living in the UK.
Know Your Notaries
Are you a US citizen in the UK and need a notarial service? Fear not as you can obtain a notarial service through the British system. Wondering what this means exactly? Don’t worry, we’re here to help you know your notaries.
Documents notarised through the British system are acceptable for use in the United States and comply with the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirements of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents.
All you need to do is follow this two-step process:
1. Have your documents signed in front of a Solicitor or Notary Public. You may locate one near you through the Notaries Society at www.thenotariessociety.org.uk
2. Next, have the documents legalised by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). The FCO will legalise documents by means of an ‘Apostille’ (the legal term for the legalisation certificate).
In addition, documents such as UK public records (birth, death, and marriage certificates; probate documents; all documents certified by court officials, the Patent Office, and Companies Registration Office, etc.) can be legalised at the FCO.
More information can be found on the FCO’s legalisation website at www.gov.uk/get-document-legalised
Documents that comply with the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents are entitled to recognition in any other Convention country without further authentication. Such recognition is an obligation on the part of the United States to the other countries party to the Convention, and the Federal courts and state authorities have been alerted to this obligation. Further information on the Hague Convention can be found here.
If you are coming to the Embassy for a notarial service, there are a few things worth noting:
Once you have scheduled your appointment you should write down the appointment ID and password (you will need this if you need to cancel or change your appointment).
Here are a few simple steps to help you get prepared for an appointment at the Embassy:
Want more information on the Embassy’s notarial services? Check out our website here, which includes our helpful instructional video.
Planning Your Visit To The US Embassy
Whether you are a first time applicant or coming to renew your visa or US passport, visiting the Embassy in London can seem like a challenge. However, it is a relatively straight forward process to get you from the street to your appointment with one of our consular officers.
Here’s What To Expect
Location, location, location – remember, we are now located south of the river Thames where we recently celebrated our one-year anniversary in our new building. The Embassy’s address is: Embassy of the United States of America 33 Nine Elms Lane, London, SW11 7US.
The closest tube station is Vauxhall (on the Victoria line), with the Embassy roughly a 10 minute walk along Nine Elms Lane, or alternately you can reach the Embassy by bus – it’s the large glass, cubed building opposite the river. You can’t miss it! When you arrive at the Embassy please follow the signs for Visa Services and American Citizen Services to the rear of the building. Once you have joined your relevant queue, Embassy staff will confirm your appointment and do a quick documents check.
You will then pass through airport style security, after which you will make your way into the Embassy itself. Once inside, Visa applicants will be issued with a ticket by staff and then proceed to the 1st floor. Passport & Citizenship applicants go straight to the 2nd floor, where they will receive their ticket from our receptionist. These tickets are important as the numbers on them are used to call applicants to the interview windows at various stages of the application process, so make sure you hang onto it!
At the end of your appointment you just head out the way you came. Simple!
A few keys things to remember when coming to the Embassy!
Items You Can And Cannot Bring In
You can bring your mobile phone, e-reader, or tablet device. Key fobs and cycle/motorcycle helmets are also permitted.
Storage
Items cannot be stored at the Embassy. We therefore recommend leaving them at home or storing them before you arrive. Luggage facilities are available for a fee at several airports, coach stations and train stations, including Waterloo and Victoria.
Useful Links
Easing The Pain Of UK Immigration Queues, One Swipe At A Time
Are you tired of the long queues at UK Immigration desks? Fear not, did you know as of June 2019, US citizens are permitted to use any one of the 250+ ePassport gates at 15 air and rail ports? This includes some of the United Kingdom’s major airports such as Heathrow and Gatwick, and the Eurostar terminals in Paris and Brussels!
Here are a few tips:
