Foreign Affairs Manual
The Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM) and associated Foreign Affairs Handbooks (FAHs)[1] are the codified, authoritative source for the organization structures, policies, and procedures of the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Foreign Service. The FAM generally covers department policy, whereas the FAHs generally outline procedures.[2][3][4]
The FAM is published on the department's website.[5]
Authority
[edit]Section 1 (a)(4) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act, as amended (22 U.S.C. 2651a(1)(a)(4)) authorizes the Secretary of State to “promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the functions of the Secretary of State and the Department of State.”[6]
Per 22 U.S. Code § 2658a, "the Foreign Affairs Manual and the Foreign Affairs Handbook apply with equal force and effect and without exception to all Department of State personnel, including the Secretary of State, Department employees, and political appointees, regardless of an individual’s status as a Foreign Service officer, Civil Service employee, or political appointee hired under any legal authority."[7]
Executive Order 14211, signed by President Donald Trump on February 12, 2025, also empowers the Secretary of State to "revise or replace the Foreign Affairs Manual and direct subordinate agencies to remove, amend, or replace any handbooks, procedures, or guidance."[8][9][10][11][12]
List of FAM volumes
[edit]The FAM is divided into at least 19 volumes:
- 1 FAM Organization and Functions
- 2 FAM General
- 3 FAM Personnel[13][14]
- 4 FAM Financial Management
- 5 FAM Information Management
- 6 FAM General Services
- 7 FAM Consular Affairs
- 8 FAM Passports and Consular Reports of Birth Abroad
- 9 FAM Visas[15][16]
- 10 FAM Public, Educational, and Cultural Affairs
- 11 FAM Legal and Political Affairs
- 12 FAM Diplomatic Security
- 13 FAM Training and Professional Development
- 14 FAM Logistics Management
- 15 FAM Overseas Buildings Operations
- 16 FAM Medical
- 18 FAM Programs, Practices, and Planning
- 19 FAM Cybersecurity Guidance
- 20 FAM Data and Artificial Intelligence
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ Briana (Odom) Imran (June 10, 2025). "Executive order may alter rights for Foreign Service employees: What you need to know". Federal News Network. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
- ↑ "FAM / FAH". 2009-2017.state.gov. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
- ↑ "'One Voice' and the Trump Administration's Conduct of Foreign Affairs". Lawfare. February 28, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
- ↑ "US embassies instructed to prepare for staff reductions: Sources". ABC News. February 12, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
- ↑ "Home Page - Foreign Affairs Manual". fam.state.gov. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
- ↑ "1 FAM 010 Authority, Responsibility, and Organization". Foreign Affairs Manual. U.S. Department of State. May 16, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
- ↑ "22 U.S. Code § 2658a - Foreign Affairs Manual and Foreign Affairs Handbook changes". Retrieved May 18, 2026.
- ↑ "One Voice for America's Foreign Relations". White House. February 12, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
- ↑ "Executive Order 14211—One Voice for America's Foreign Relations". February 12, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
- ↑ Michael Crowley (February 12, 2025). "New Trump Executive Order Calls for 'Reform' to the U.S. Diplomatic Corps". The New York Times. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
- ↑ "Trump orders revamp of US diplomatic corps to ensure it follows his agenda". February 12, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
- ↑ Diana Stancy (February 12, 2025). "No longer taken advantage of: Trump signs order prioritizing 'unified' US foreign policy front". Fox News. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
- ↑ Jory Heckman (June 26, 2025). "State Department gears up for imminent layoffs, despite federal judge's order". Federal News Network. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
- ↑ Morgan Phillips (April 3, 2026). "No more casual: State Department imposes first-ever dress code on diplomats". Fox News. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
- ↑ "B-1 Visa Updates: New Specialized Trainers Category for Foreign Nationals". March 5, 2026. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
- ↑ "Trump administration revoked more than 6,000 student visas, State Department says". August 19, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
