The Santa Cruz Consular Agency is currently providing services to U.S. citizens from its location in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. The agency is open from Monday to Friday, with varying hours each day. It is closed on both U.S. and Bolivian holidays. All non-emergency services, including passport renewals and notarial services, require appointments for entry.
For individuals seeking appointments, the agency advises checking their requirements and scheduling information online. Furthermore, appointments can be canceled through their website or via email at ConsularSantaCruz@state.gov. The agency has specific timing policies, such as cancelling appointments for those arriving more than 30 minutes late.
Emergency services are available through an embassy duty officer, accessible after hours via specified Bolivian phone numbers. Non-emergency inquiries can be emailed with a local contact number included for a response.
For visa-related questions, the Santa Cruz staff does not offer phone or in-person assistance. Instead, inquiries should be directed to either the Non-Immigrant Visa unit or the Immigrant Visa unit via their respective emails, or by visiting the visa section of the Embassy website.
Services regarding federal benefits provided by the Social Security Administration for residents of Bolivia are handled by the SSA Federal Benefits Unit located in Argentina. Contact can be made through their online resources.
Notarial services are also appointment-based, with a requirement to include witness names when scheduling if they are necessary for document signatures. Notarial fees depend on the number of seals or signatures, with payment options available in either Bolivianos or USD.
The agency also manages passport and citizenship services upon appointment. Applications are transferred for processing to the U.S. Embassy in La Paz. Specific conditions apply for passport renewals, especially for minors, with all related parties required to make appointments before visiting the agency.
Further information regarding passport applications and notarial services can be obtained from the U.S. Embassy La Paz's website. The consular agency recommends making appointments ahead and following all guidelines to ensure efficient service access.