The Department of State takes seriously its responsibility to protect the privacy of U.S. citizens. Our obligations under the Privacy Act of 1974 as well as Department policies may limit what we can share about any U.S. citizen with others, including family, friends, Congressional staff, and the media.
The Privacy Act of 1974 governs how federal agencies, including the Department of State, collect, use, disclose, and maintain certain records about U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents. Such records may not be disclosed without the individual’s prior written consent unless otherwise authorized by law. In accordance with the Privacy Act, the Department protects individuals’ personal information from unauthorized disclosure.
Find the Privacy Act Waiver form DS-5505, click here.
For further information on the Privacy Act and the Department of State’s systems of records notices thereunder, please visit https://www.state.gov/privacy/ .