Katharine C: Tea with the Consul from the US Consulate of Marseille

AWG was privileged to receive Ann Marie Chiappetta, Consul, from the US Consulate General in Marseilles for a Meet and Greet Tea at Peggy F’s gracious home.

Peggy R and our hostess, Peggy F

After we had assembled, Ann Marie was introduced by Jessica who had first met with Ann Marie when she visited the US Consulate to apply for a passport for her baby son.  Ann Marie is responsible for consular activities that include passport issuance. 

After Jessica’s introduction, Ann Marie took the floor to advise significant issues of which we Americans should be aware.  There is a new Ambassador for France,  whose (political) appointment has been approved by the Senate and Ambassador Jane Hartley will be arriving in Paris imminently.  The new Consul General in Marseilles is Monique Quesada.  Ann Marie is halfway through a 3-year appointment in Marseilles. 

Ann Marie advised that there are no longer US posts in the cities of Bordeaux, Toulouse or Nantes.  The State Dept. presence in France remains our Embassy in Paris and the Consulate General in Marseilles.  Ann Marie advises that RENEWALS of US passport may be executed via the mail - and that a personal appointment, and personal affirmation (the way it’s conducted in Post Offices in the United States) are not necessary.  Full details on the  Consulate’s website., including downloadable application forms. 

Jessica, Kim, Maquita

Ann Marie suggested that we should all be enrolled in the Smart Traveller Enrolment  Program  (STEP)- and that this does not trigger activity by the IRS.  (She is clearly asked this so often that it was something she repeated.  By law, State Dept employees may not disclose personal details of US citizens to the IRS.)   Enrollment in the Smart Traveller program will trigger alerts by email from the State Dept regarding an unstable region, or a natural disaster, in which you may be travelling.

Peggy and Cerese

Ann Marie advised us that the MAABN (Mediterranean Anglo-American Business Network) represents the American Chamber of Commerce in Southern France. 
(Note:  Maggie receives information about this group).

Throughout the afternoon, Ann Marie was happy to entertain all our questions, and provide solid information regarding a variety of citizenship issues. 

The Consulate maintains lists that may be useful to Americans - i.e. anglophone doctors and hospitals within the Consular district (which cuts a broad swathe from Toulouse to Monaco). 
Another list includes anglophone notaries and translators for the area.   She alerted us to the many resources that are available on the US Embassy’s Paris website.

She will not conduct personal consular business, such as passport renewals (which she acknowledged that her predecessors have done) in visits to Montpellier;  she believes it to be unfair to offer this service to one group and not to everyone else.

Ann Marie advises that people who require consular services should be directed to the website at marseille.usconsulate.gov for information and appointments.  Should they have further questions, they can email her team at citizeninfomarseille@state.gov or call at 01 43 12 48 85.  If the issue is too complicated for her very capable staff or it requires the direct intervention of a consular officer, then the issue will be referred to Ann Marie.  

Ann Marie gave us a personal account of her career to date: hailing from San Francisco, Ann Marie trained as a lawyer, moved from her law career to the State Dept and has had assignments in Haiti, amongst other countries, which she loved.  She found the people there warm and generous, and enjoyed being invited to baptisms and other family events.  She welcomed the opportunity to meet with us, and we encouraged her to accept our invitation both to our Thanksgiving (Nov. 16)
and Holiday (Dec. 13) celebrations.    Jessica thanked her on our behalf for coming to meet with us, and presented her with a copy of Season. 

A charming and gracious presence, we enjoyed a delightful afternoon at Peggy’s, and Ann Marie’s  talk was followed by Tea and informal conversation.



Contact coordinates:

marseille.usconsulate.gov for information and appointments. 

email for questions:  citizeninfomarseille@state.gov 

or call at 01 43 12 48 85.