I’m not joking. Trying to register the birth of my daughter and get a passport, no way to check on documents or confirm information before making the trip all the way to Tokyo for the appointment. This is an outright embarrassment, and deeply shameful for an embassy in my opinion. Is there any other option to at least confirm or check questions?
Be aware if you are trying to get anything done at the embassy.
15 comments
Can you call or email the same question to another consulate?
They’ve always promptly and helpfully answered my emails. I suppose things could have changed in the last 1.5 years though.
Which email are you using? Have you tried using their “ACS navigator” (in the “contact us” section of the website)?
Otherwise what documents do you have? We did this process two months ago and can confirm whether that’s what we had too.
All of the documents and information are on their website, what more do you need to know?
I called and kept getting automated messages, but then I starting mashing random buttons and somebody picked up.
Tax dollars at work?
Rahm Emanuel is a lazy c*nt who has a career record of little interest in serving his appointed function.
It seems like a common problem with embassies not responding to inquiries. Last week it was the French embassy.
[https://www.reddit.com/r/japanlife/comments/1431s32/i_am_once_again_asking_if_anyone_has_dealt_with/](https://www.reddit.com/r/japanlife/comments/1431s32/i_am_once_again_asking_if_anyone_has_dealt_with/)
[https://www.reddit.com/r/japanlife/comments/13okutd/french_embassy_tokyo/](https://www.reddit.com/r/japanlife/comments/13okutd/french_embassy_tokyo/)
Italian
[https://www.reddit.com/r/japanlife/comments/11we6dn/problem_communicating_with_the_italian_consulate/](https://www.reddit.com/r/japanlife/comments/11we6dn/problem_communicating_with_the_italian_consulate/)
I emailed them roughly 2 months ago and they were always super quick and helpful.
The section you specifically want is American Citizen Services. Are you contacting that department specifically?
It may take a bit depending on their availability, but I have had success with prompt email responses.
Don’t expect a day or two turn-around time. Calls, just keep trying.
Registering the birth of an American abroad is pretty straight forward and they outline every document you need on their site.
US Embassies are well known for their terrible customer service.
It’s been like that forever and not just in Japan.
It’s only embarrassing or shameful if you expect something better.
If you accept it, then it’s fine. Just roll with the punches.
I’ve had nothing but good experiences with the US Embassy in Tokyo. You need to be patient sometimes though.
The birth abroad report and passport application are straightforward and simple paperwork procedures. Just follow the guidelines on their website and you’ll be good.
I feel like most embassies are usuall like that. We depend on them, so they have all the power and they’re not about to get stressed out for us peasants.
It’s true, they haven’t replied to any of my emails or calls it’s been 3 weeks since I’ve sent the email so far, been trying to get my sons SSN card, they said his application was accepted and I should receive the card in the mail in 4-6 weeks, that was 5 months ago, still haven’t received his card
It’s pretty cut and dried on the website. No reason to call them
https://jp.usembassy.gov/services/citizenship-services/
https://jp.usembassy.gov/passports/