The consular card is how a Togolese national abroad becomes visible to their own administration, and at 30 business days it is the document to obtain before you need it rather than when you do. The embassy publishes the forms for download.
Quick facts
Togolese birth, marriage and death certificates are issued by the civil registry at home, and obtaining one generally needs a relative attending in person. Plan a family file as two parallel tracks rather than one sequence.
Fees breakdown
| Service | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Consular card | Consular tariff | 30 business days |
| Civil certificates | Charged in Togo | Through the civil registry |
| Legalisation of foreign certificates | Consular tariff | At the embassy |
| U.S. certificate | $15–$50 | State vital records office |
| French translation | Per page | Where required |
For a child born in the United States to Togolese parents, the American certificate goes through the legalisation chain and is translated, with the parents’ documents establishing the link.
How to file
- Obtain the consular card if you do not hold one, allowing six weeks.
- Order the child’s U.S. birth certificate from the state vital records office.
- Put it through the legalisation chain and arrange the French translation.
- Ask the embassy what its process requires in your case.
- Arrange for Togolese records to be obtained by a relative there.
- Keep copies before anything travels.
Required documents
- Parents’ Togolese passports and consular cards.
- Child’s U.S. birth certificate, legalised and translated.
- Parents’ marriage certificate where applicable.
- Proof of address in the United States.
- Colour photographs on a white background.
- Completed forms, in French.
Where to file
At the embassy in Washington, or through the civil registry in Togo for records held there.
Additional notes
Get the card first
Six weeks is a long time to discover you need it. Obtain it while nothing depends on it.
Two tracks at once
A relative gathering records in Lomé while you handle the American side halves the elapsed time.
Photographs
Colour, white background. The specification is stated and worth following exactly.
Keep copies
Every later procedure asks for these documents again.