Central Asia > Turkmenistan > Governments: Customs and Visa Information

Turkmenistan representation in the U.S.A.

chief of mission: Ambassador Meret Bairamovich ORAZOW
chancery: 2207 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 588-1500
FAX: [1] (202) 588-0697

Website: Embassy of Turkmenistan

U.S.A. representation in Turkmenistan

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Richard M. MILES
embassy: No. 9 1984 Street (formerly Pushkin Street), Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000
mailing address: 7070 Ashgabat Place, Washington, DC 20521-7070
telephone: [993] (12) 35-00-45
FAX: [993] (12) 39-26-14

Website: Turkmenistan: Ashgabat

Passport Information and Travel Registration

The Passport Services Office provides information and services to American citizens about how to obtain, replace or change a passport.

This site will allow you to find the nearest location to apply for a passport. It is provided by the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs

The IATA (International Air Transport Association) provides reliable information on passport and visa requirements for personal and business travel to Turkmenistan. Click here to Start.

Turkmenistan at a Glance

Official Country Name: conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Turkmenistan
local long form: none
local short form: Turkmenistan
former: Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic

Government Type: republic; authoritarian presidential rule, with little power outside the executive branch

Administrative Divisions: 5 provinces (welayatlar, singular - welayat) and 1 independent city*: Ahal Welayaty (Anew), Ashgabat*, Balkan Welayaty (Balkanabat), Dashoguz Welayaty, Lebap Welayaty (Turkmenabat), Mary Welayaty
note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses)

Independence: 27 October 1991 (from Soviet Union)

National Holiday: Independence Day, 27 October (1991)

Constitution: adopted 18 May 1992

Legal System: based on civil law system and Islamic law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

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Snippets of Interest for Turkmenistan

!	The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Registration / Embassy Location: Americans living or traveling in Turkmenistan are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department’s travel registration web site so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security within Turkmenistan. Americans without Internet access may register ... Read this Article

Special Circumstances: Turkmenistan has a cash-only economy. However, several new hotels accept credit cards. Vnesheconombank and the National Bank of Pakistan cash traveler’s checks and personal checks for a fee, although cashing a personal check is a lengthy process that could require up to two months. ... Read this Article

Criminal Penalties: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can ... Read this Article

Government Type: Republic. Independence: October 27, 1991 (from the Soviet Union). Constitution: May 18, 1992. Branches: Executive--President. Legislative--Mejlis (Parliament). Judicial--Supreme Court. Administrative subdivisions: 5 Welayats (provinces)--Ahal Welayat (Ashgabat), Balkan Welayat (Balkanabat), Dashoguz Welayat (formerly Dashowuz), Lebap Welayat (Turkmenabat, formerly Chardjou/Charjew), Mary Welayat. Political parties: Democratic Party of Turkmenistan (opposition parties are outlawed). Economy (2006 ... Read this Article

Government and Political Conditions Although the constitution declares the country to be a secular democracy and presidential republic, Turkmenistan is an authoritarian state that was dominated by its first president, Saparmyrat Niyazov, who retained his monopoly on political power until his death on December 21, 2006. The Halk Maslahaty (People's Council) decided ... Read this Article

...U.S. Embassy Ashgabat issued the following Warden Message update on September 12:The Consular Section of the American Embassy in Turkmenistan brings the following Warden Message to the attention of American Citizens resident in or visiting Turkmenistan. As an update to yesterday’s warden message (#8/2008, sent September 12, 2008), American citizens are ... Read this Article

...U.S. Embassy Ashgabat released the following Warden Message on September 12:The Consular Section of the American Embassy in Turkmenistan brings the following Warden Message to the attention of American Citizens resident in or visiting Turkmenistan. According to local police, two criminal suspects are at large and considered armed ... Read this Article

...U.S. Embassy Ashgabat issued the following Warden Message on October 23: The Consular Section of the American Embassy in Turkmenistan brings the following Warden Message to the attention of American Citizens resident in or visiting Turkmenistan. Due to Turkmenistan’s Independence Day celebrations (running from October 27-28), ... Read this Article

Intercountry Adoption For information on how to proceed with an adoption, please visit the the Department of State�s Bureau of Consular Affairs, Overseas Citizens Services.

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