Oregon Consular Corps

Countries

Oregon has had Consular Services for over a century, with Consular representatives stationed in Portland, for the most part, having jurisdiction extending throughout the Western United States from Portland.

In some cases, a United States citizen or permanent resident is appointed by a foreign country as their representative. These officials hold the rank of Honorary Consul General, Honorary Consul, or Honorary Vice Consul, dependent on the status accorded by the appointed authority. These appointments must also have the approval of the United States State Department.

Honorary Consuls perform essentially the same duties as Career Consuls, although they are usually not salaried by the country represented.

Among functions performed by consular representatives are the following:

promotion of their country's trade within the area to which they are assigned.
offering protection and assistance to their country's shipping interests,legalization of ships' papers, assistance to their native sailors in distress, and adjudication of some shipping matters.
rendering assistance and protection of nationals of the country they represent.
administrating oaths, legalizing foreign documents as required by their country's laws, issuing passports, and visas.
acting as spokepersons concerning their country's policies and achievements in fields such as culture, tourism, and trade.

Under regulations formulated by 92 nations at the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, Honorary Consuls are entitled to most of the privileges and immunities accorded Career Consuls. These laws governed Diplomatic Intercourse and Immunities since April 18, 1961.