FINANCIAL SERVICES
Emergency Financial Assistance.
For U.S. citizens who are temporarily destitute abroad due to robbery or other unforeseen circumstances, there are a number of possible ways to access money, such as contacting family/friends to assist with wiring money or bank-to-bank transfers. U.S. citizens destitute abroad in need of help should contact the Embassy's Special Consular Services (SCS) unit of the American Citizen Services section for information about other assistance available to eligible persons. We can be reached at (+353 1) 6688777, ext. 5809 or 5810 during business hours.
Transfer Funds from the U.S.
American Citizens who find themselves without adequate funds during their stay in Ireland should contact family or friends who may be able to assist. Funds may be transferred electronically from the United States either through private financial institutions or through U.S. Department of State channels.
Western Union
To send money via Western Union, the sender brings the money to any Western Union agent, fills out a short form, pays the service fee and receives a receipt with a Control Number. The sender then informs the receiver of the transfer. The receiver goes to any Western Union agent, provides indentification, and immediately gets the full amount in cash.
NOTE: Please be advised that the Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN) is now a Mandatory requirement for a person to receive a Western Union Money Transfer in Ireland. The MTCN is issued when payment has been made by the sender.
To find your nearest Western Union agent in Ireland, please telephone 1800-39-53-95.
To find your nearest Western Union agent in the U.S., please telephone 1-800-551-8002.
Link to Western Union Ireland to search Agent Locations Nationwide.
Link to Western Union International Agent Locations.
To Send Funds Via Western Union to the Department of State:
The depositor should advise the nearest Western Union office that they wish to purchase a money order, made payable to the Department of State for the desired amount plus $20.00. The additional $20.00 is the Department's prescribed fee for establishing the account and forwarding the funds overseas. To accompany the money order, Western Union must also send a money order message, a telegram, which must contain the name, telephone number and full address of the depositor, and the name of the recipient for transmission c/o American Embassy, Dublin. Depositor may also add the reason for sending the funds. Western Union also charges a fee, based on the amount sent and the number of words in the accompanying message. Both the money order and the telegram should be addressed and sent to:
Citizen's Emergency Center
Department of State
Washington, D.C.
Tel: 202-647-5225 or 202-647-5226.
**Funds normally are received electronically in the Embassy in one to three work days.
American Express
(Foreign Exchange)
116 Grafton Street
Dublin
Tel: (01) 6772-874 (from the U.S.: 353-1-6772-874)
To send money via American Express the depositor must present cash or bank draft for the amount required to the American Express office plus a fee of $35 to send up to $300, $40 to send up to $500 or $150 to send up to $10,000. Once the transaction is entered into the computer system, funds should be available for collection within minutes. The recipient must have photo/signature identification in order to collect funds.
Department of State
This service is available only to U.S. citizens in emergency financial situations abroad. Depositors using this procedure establish a trust account in a recipient's name in order to forward funds overseas. Upon receipt, the Department cashes their cashier's check or money order and sends a telegram to the Embassy, authorizing next workday disbursement. The recipient must contact the Embassy to receive the funds. Unless there is some overriding consideration requiring payment in U.S. dollars, funds are disbursed in local currency.
To Send Funds Via Bank Wire Transfer:
The depositor should advise his bank that he wishes to wire the desired amount, plus $45.00 (Dept. of State fee of $20.00 and American Security Bank fee of $25.00). The check must be made payable to the Department of State and indicate the name and overseas location of the recipient.
Nationsbank, State Department Branch, 2201 C. Street N.W., Washington D.C. 20520, tel: (202) 624-4750 notifies the Department upon receipt. Depositors should advise their bank that the Department of State does not have an account with the American Security Bank. The depositor's bank simply wires funds to a bank located in the Department of State building. Depositors should ask that the funds be wired "PUPID" (payable upon presentation of I.D.)
**Depending on the time of day the funds are wired, funds normally reach the recipient within three to four work days.
Neither the Embassy of the United States nor the U.S. Department of State are in any way responsible for direct transactions outside Department of State channels.
