Samoa is the exception among the small Pacific states covered here. Its Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York is not only a UN mission: it is accredited as Samoa’s embassy to the United States and its High Commission to Canada, and it does provide consular and immigration services to Samoan nationals in both countries.
Quick facts
That matters for a community which is substantial and long-established, particularly in California, Hawaii, Washington State and Utah. Unlike Vanuatu or Tuvalu, a Samoan in the United States has a mission that will actually deal with documents.
Fees breakdown
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Passport | Consular tariff | Confirm with the mission |
| Emergency travel document | Consular tariff | For urgent return |
| Immigration services | Consular tariff | Also handled here |
| Document certification | Consular tariff | Per document |
| Return postage | Your own cost | Tracked service advised |
Both Samoan and English are used, so no translation is needed for documents prepared in the United States — a saving that most countries in this directory do not offer.
How to apply
- Contact the mission in New York, which handles consular work for the whole country.
- Ask for the current requirements and fee for your case.
- Gather your existing passport and evidence of citizenship.
- Prepare photographs to the specification given.
- Confirm how the fee must be paid before sending anything.
- Use a tracked service in both directions.
Required documents
- Current or most recent Samoan passport.
- Birth certificate or other evidence of citizenship.
- Proof of your status in the United States.
- Photographs to specification.
- Police report where the passport was lost.
- The fee in the accepted form.
Where to apply
At the Permanent Mission on Third Avenue in New York, which also serves as embassy and high commission.
Additional notes
Do not confuse it with American Samoa
Samoa is an independent country. American Samoa is a U.S. territory whose people are U.S. nationals. The two are separate in every legal sense, and mixing them up is the commonest error in this area.
One office for two countries
The same mission covers Canada. Build postage time into any deadline if you are far from New York.
English is enough
No translation needed in either direction.
Ask about immigration matters too
The mission handles those alongside consular work, which is unusual and useful.