Title 22, Foreign Relations and IntercourseRelease 119-102

§3904 Functions of Service

Title 22 › CHAPTER 52 — FOREIGN SERVICE › SUBCHAPTER I — GENERAL PROVISIONS › § 3904

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

Under the Secretary's direction, members of the Service must represent U.S. interests in other countries and at international organizations. They must do the duties of their jobs, including tasks required by international treaties (for example, the Vienna Conventions), U.S. law, and official government rules and orders. They must also help plan and run State Department and other agency programs about foreign relations. They can do work for any other government office, including parts of the legislative or judicial branches, when those offices need their services.

Full Legal Text

Title 22, §3904

Foreign Relations and Intercourse, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

Members of the Service shall, under the direction of the Secretary—

(1)represent the interests of the United States in relation to foreign countries and international organizations, and perform the functions relevant to their appointments and assignments, including (as appropriate) functions under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, other international agreements to which the United States is a party, the laws of the United States, and orders, regulations, and directives issued pursuant to law;

(2)provide guidance for the formulation and conduct of programs and activities of the Department and other agencies which relate to the foreign relations of the United States; and

(3)perform functions on behalf of any agency or other Government establishment (including any establishment in the legislative or judicial branch) requiring their services.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

22 U.S.C. § 3904

Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse

Last Updated

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102