French Embassy for the U.S.- Address / Phone Number

French Embassy in United States

Address: 4101 Reservoir Road, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20007
City: Washington (Standard time zone: UTC/GMT -5 hours)
Tel.: (202) 944 6000
Working hours: Monday to Friday, 9.00 - 16.00 (by appointment only)

In the United States, the French diplomatic mission in the national capital, the Embassy, is complemented by ten French General Consulates in major cities, one being attached to the Embassy in Washington, DC. Consular officials are responsible for protecting the interests of French nationals abroad, be they permanent residents or temporary visitors.

The Consulate General acts as Registrar for French nationals resident in the US: issues them with identity cards and passports, registers their births, deaths and marriages, enters them on the electoral rolls and organizes polling stations for major national elections, draws up notarial acts and ensures the protection of their rights with regards to the US authorities. It is also responsible for issuing visas pursuant to the Schengen Agreement to persons who require them.

A valid passport is required for all US citizens and foreign national entering France. Visitors must have ready for presentation at the border documentary evidence of the purpose of the visit, means of support for the duration of the stay and accommodation arrangements. A visa may be required. It must be requested from a French Consulate, and not from the Embassy, before departure. Whether one need a visa depend on their nationality and duration of stay in France and possibly on the reason for one's visit to France.

The Embassy accepts cash or money order only. The processing fee must be paid upon submission of the application file. This fee is non-refundable and non-transferable, no matter what the issue of the application is. Please note that payment of this fee does not guarantee that the visa will be issued.

Theft or loss of a valid passport must be reported to the police and a police report should be presented when applying for a new passport. Otherwise a passport is applied as normally. When reporting a lost passport to the police it should be noted that a report made by telephone and a registration number given  on the basis of that might not be adequate proof to the insurance company. The report can be made in person at a police station so that a report of the crime is available in writing.