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International Travel > While Abroad > Sending Money to Destitute U.S. Citizens Overseas
If you need to get money to a destitute U.S. citizen outside the United States, you have a number of available options. See available options below:
If the options above are not viable, the U.S. Department of State may be able to help transfer funds to a destitute U.S citizen overseas through our office in Washington, D.C. to a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. The destitute U.S. citizen who is abroad should contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to inquire about eligibility requirements and additional details. The U.S. Department of State charges a $30 processing fee once per fiscal year (October 1 – September 30) to set up an account and transfer funds overseas. When sending money for the first time, please be sure to add the State Department's $30 fee to the amount you intend to send the recipient.
The quickest way to send money to the U.S. Department of State is by Western Union. In addition, you may send funds using express courier service or U.S. mail, which can take from several days to several weeks to arrive at the Department.
When sending funds, you must include:
We transfer funds daily during normal business hours (Monday – Friday 8AM – 5PM Eastern Time) and process funds arriving after-hours during the next business day.
All transactions must be processed through Western Union’s Quick Collect Service. Be aware that some U.S. states place restrictions on the use of the Quick Collect Service by phone or the Internet. Some states also restrict the amount of funds any one person can transfer within a given period of time. Western Union can inform you which states have such restrictions.
NOTE: Western Union will charge you a money transfer fee based on the dollar amount you are sending. Ask about their fee structure. Their fee is separate from and in addition to the $30 processing fee that the U.S. Department of State charges to set up an account.
There are three ways to send money to the U.S. Department of State by Western Union:
NOTE: Express courier service delivery may take 3-4 days to reach our office. U.S. Postal Service mail may take 3-4 weeks because of the Department of State’s internal mail-screening security procedures.
We do not recommend these methods for emergencies or other urgent situations.
We accept cashier’s checks or money orders only.
Make the check or money order payable to "Department of State, Overseas Citizens Services (OCS)" for the required amount plus the $30 processing fee.
Send the check or money order, along with any instructions, to:
U.S. Department of State
Overseas Citizens Services, SA-17 (10th Floor)
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20520