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The Office of Foreign Missions (OFM) is a component of the
United States Department of State The United States Department of State (DOS), or State Department, is an executive department of the U.S. federal government responsible for the country's foreign policy and relations. Equivalent to the ministry of foreign affairs of other na ...
to provide services to American diplomatic personnel abroad and foreign diplomats residing in the
United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country Continental United States, primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 U.S. state, states, a Washington, D.C., ...
. It was created by the U.S. Congress to help implement the Foreign Missions Act of 1982, which provides the legal foundation for facilitating secure and efficient operations of U.S. missions abroad, and of foreign missions and
international organizations An international organization or international organisation (see spelling differences), also known as an intergovernmental organization or an international institution, is a stable set of norms and rules meant to govern the behavior of states a ...
in the U.S.; pursuant to the act, the OFM ensures all diplomatic benefits, privileges, and immunities are properly exercised in accordance with federal laws and international agreements.Dept Org Chart (state.gov)
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Mission

The Office of Foreign Missions has four missions. #Ensure equitable treatment for United States diplomatic and consular missions abroad and their personnel through reciprocity; #Regulate the activities of foreign missions in the United States in a manner that will protect the foreign policy and national security interests of the United States; #Ensure compliance of diplomatic privileges and immunities for foreign diplomats and officials residing in the United States to enhance U.S. security; #Provide appropriate privileges, benefits, and services on a reciprocal basis to the foreign mission community in the United States. As an advocate for reciprocal agreements, OFM presses for fair treatment of U.S. personnel abroad while assuring foreign diplomats based in the United States receive the same treatment that each respective government provides in return. Additionally, OFM assists foreign missions in dealing with local government offices in the United States. OFM also provides a range of services to the foreign diplomatic community, including issuance of vehicle titles, vehicle registrations, driver's licenses, and license plates; processing of
tax exemption Tax exemption is the reduction or removal of a liability to make a compulsory payment that would otherwise be imposed by a ruling power upon persons, property, income, or transactions. Tax-exempt status may provide complete relief from taxes, redu ...
and duty-free customs requests; and facilitation of property acquisitions through local zoning law procedures. By assisting, advising, and regulating services for foreign diplomats, their dependents, and their staffs while residing in the United States. Finally, OFM establishes and maintains relationships with U.S. law enforcement and security communities at the national, state, and local levels to educate them about diplomatic privilege and immunity issues.


See also

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United States Department of State The United States Department of State (DOS), or State Department, is an executive department of the U.S. federal government responsible for the country's foreign policy and relations. Equivalent to the ministry of foreign affairs of other na ...
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United States Department of Defense The United States Department of Defense (DoD, USDOD or DOD) is an executive branch department of the federal government charged with coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government directly related to national sec ...


References


External links

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DC Plates



State Department Eyes Walter Reed To Be D.C.’s Next Embassy Enclave


{{authority control United States Department of State agencies Government agencies established in 1982