US Consular Agency: Your informal town hall

The US Consular office in Mazatlán, across from the Hotel Playa Mazatlán in the Gold Zone, is a small, clean and surprisingly cheery place. That probably has a lot to do with the bubbly personalities and positive attitudes of consular agent, John Palmerin, and consular assistants Heather Kasemeier and Leticia de Paredes. They transform what could be tedious government work into a lively approach to community involvement and support.

Voting and ballot assistance, passport documentation, dispelling myths about passport regulations and Mexican law, cancelling timeshares, robberies, stolen cars, health issues like illness, death and hospitalization – these and more all fall within the consulate’s jurisdiction They’re also the only American notary publics in the state of Sinaloa - for $30 US, you can have US documents notarized in their offices.

If there are trends, they like to know what’s going on - multiple robberies or cases of dengue in one neighborhood, for example. The consulate’s network of volunteer “wardens” helps disseminate government travel warnings and other official information.

“We’re here to protect the interests of American citizens abroad,” said John. “That comes in many different forms. If it’s collectively, that’s even better.”

He remembers five years ago - before the community was enhanced by the internet and the English press - when “we were like an informal town hall.”

“People that live here year-round don’t come in with questions anymore,” John said, rather regretfully. “We have information because of the contacts we have with the local residents. Any time something happens it’s important.”

So, call, email or stop in - they like to hear from you.

Consular offices also assist in case of an emergency - in the case of a death of a US citizen, for instance, the police notify the consulate, who tries to find the next of kin and also guards the person’s belongings until arrangements are made.

“International consular agreements state that consular representatives act as legal guardians of personal belongings when a family member is not in the country,” John explained. “They secure everything and make an inventory. They don’t go alone - there’s complete transparency. No pillaging allowed! Embarrassing items are discreetly discarded.”

They also assist the US government in case of severe emergencies that require evacuation - severe flooding in Peru, for example, or the big hurricane in Cancun. In such a case, the consular office would use their list of registered citizens to find and notify them. Family members in the US can also contact the consular office here in such instances to get word to or about their relatives.

John noted that if you register online, the information goes directly to the main office in Hermosillo and isn’t transferred here to the Mazatlán office. Better to go in to their office, he said, and fill out the simple 2-page form in person. You’ll need to bring your passport so they can make a copy of it.

This information is completely confidential - despite rumors to the contrary, they don’t share any of it with the IRS or any other US government agency.

“We’re not law enforcement,” said John. “We’re simply here to ensure that US citizens are treated fairly under Mexican law.”

However, should a US citizen have a brush with the law, the consulate can help.

“Mexican law states that a US citizen has the right to contact their consular rep if they are arrested or detained,” said John. “It’s not a bad idea to keep our phone number in your wallet or cell phone.

The US Consulate Agency is at Playa Gaviotas #202, Gold Zone, across from the Hotel Playa Mazatlán. Hours: 9am-1pm, Monday-Friday. Closed Saturday & Sunday. Contact them at 916-5889, 916-7531 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . More info available at www.usembassy-mexico.gov.