Contact Information

Our American Citizen Services Unit can be reached by dialing (53)(7) 839-4100 during business hours, except Cuban and U.S. federal holidays.  Our fax number is (53)(7) 839-4247. For general inquiries regarding U.S. passports and citizenship, or other American citizen issues please contact us via e-mail at HavanaconsACS@state.gov  or at the numbers listed above. Do not write to the American Citizen Services Unit with questions relating to visas for Cuban applicants.

The Interests Section is located in Havana at Calzada between L and M Streets, Vedado.

For emergencies when the American Citizen Services Unit is closed or after hours (for U.S. Citizens only), please call the main switchboard at (+53)(7) 839-4100 and dial 1 to speak with the emergency operator. Do not call this number for routine visa inquiries.

More emergency information is available from the Department of State, Washington DC.

General Information

The U.S. Interests Section (USINT) represents American citizens and the U.S. Government in Cuba, and operates under the legal protection of the Swiss government. The Interests Section staff provides the full range of services for American Citizens in Cuba. 

Cuban police restrict access to the Interests Section. American citizens should show their American passport to the Cuban police surrounding the Interests Section in order to approach the gate.

U.S. citizens who travel to Cuba are encouraged to contact and register with the American Citizen Services Unit. U.S. citizens who register at the U.S. Interests Section in Havana may obtain updated information on travel and security within the country. 

There is no access to the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay from within Cuba. Consular issues for Guantanamo Bay are handled by the U.S. Embassy in Kingston, Jamaica. For further information on Guantanamo Bay, please contact the U.S. Embassy in Kingston by telephone (876) 935-6000 or visit the U.S. Embassy in Kingston website.

Dual Nationality

The Government of Cuba does not recognize the U.S. nationality of U.S. citizens who are Cuban-born or are the children of Cuban parents. These individuals will be treated solely as Cuban citizens and may be subject to a range of restrictions and obligations, including military service. The Cuban government may require U.S. citizens, whom the Government of Cuba considers to be Cuban, to enter and depart Cuba using a Cuban passport. Using a Cuban passport for this purpose does not jeopardize one's U.S. citizenship; however, such persons must use their U.S. passports to enter and depart the United States. There have been cases of Cuban-American dual nationals being forced by the Cuban government to surrender their U.S. passports. Despite these restrictions, Cuban-American dual nationals who fall ill may only be treated at hospitals for foreigners (except in emergencies). See the paragraph below on Consular Access for information on Cuba's denial of consular services to dual American-Cuban nationals who have been arrested, as well as the paragraph below on Children's Issues for information on how dual-nationality may affect welfare inquiries and custody disputes.

Cuban-American dual nationals should be especially wary of any attempt by Cuban authorities to compel them to sign "repatriation" documents. The Government of Cuba views a declaration of repatriation as a legal statement on the part of the dual national that she/he intends to resettle permanently in Cuba. In several instances, the Government of Cuba has seized the U.S. passport of dual nationals signing declarations of repatriation and has denied these individuals permission to return to the United States. 

Puerto Rico Birth Certificate Law

The Puerto Rican government has passed a new law that will invalidate all Puerto Rican birth certificates starting October 30, 2010.

The Department of State is currently accepting Puerto Rican birth certificates for passport services and will do so until further policy is announced. The new law does not affect Puerto Rican-born individuals who currently have a United States passport.

An amendment was recently passed by the Puerto Rican government extending the original July 1, 2010 date of invalidation to October 30, 2010.  Please refer to New Requirement for Puerto Rican Birth Certificates for more information.