# Justice Manual § 3-8.232: Foreign Witnesses

> Federal · Agency guidance · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S3-8.232

## Section

- **Citation:** Justice Manual § 3-8.232
- **Heading:** Foreign Witnesses
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Agency guidance
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** DOJ Justice Manual / Title 3: EOUSA / 3-8.000 - Financial Management / Justice Manual § 3-8.232

## Text

Consular officials will normally serve subpoenas on American citizens (including American Nationals who, while not citizens, owe permanent allegiance to the United States, as well as alien residents, who have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States, although not citizens) residing abroad, except in those countries (such as Switzerland) which prohibit foreigners from serving legal documents. In these cases, the Office of International Affairs (OIA) in the Criminal Division or the Office of Foreign Litigation (OFL) in the Civil Division should be consulted, as appropriate.

American citizens are entitled to compensation for travel and expenses in these cases. When the testimony of the employee of a foreign government is contemplated, it is imperative that the attorney submit a request directly to OIA in the Criminal Division, or the OFL in the Civil Division, prior to communicating with the witness or the foreign government. The appropriate office will request the Department of State to obtain the approval of the foreign government involved.

Payment for subsistence, witness fees, and actual cost of travel, for both American and foreign citizens, is fixed by 28 U.S.C. § 1821.

[updated February 2018] [cited in
JM 3-1.200
]

## Nearby sections

- [Justice Manual § 3-8.100 Operational Expenses](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S3-8.100.md)
- [Justice Manual § 3-8.130 Expenditures and Obligations Under the Anti-Deficiency Act](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S3-8.130.md)
- [Justice Manual § 3-8.210 Depositions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S3-8.210.md)
- [Justice Manual § 3-8.230 Foreign Counsel](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S3-8.230.md)
- [Justice Manual § 3-8.232 Foreign Witnesses](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S3-8.232.md)
- [Justice Manual § 3-8.240 Payment of Travel Expenses of Defendant and Counsel to Attend Depositions in Criminal Matters Taken at the Request of the Government](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S3-8.240.md)
- [Justice Manual § 3-8.250 Interpreters](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S3-8.250.md)
- [Justice Manual § 3-8.400 Appraisers and Masters](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S3-8.400.md)
- [Justice Manual § 3-8.420 Court Reporters](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S3-8.420.md)
- [Justice Manual § 3-8.430 Employment of Independent Reporters](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S3-8.430.md)
- [Justice Manual § 3-8.440 Employment of Additional Reporters in Lands Cases](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S3-8.440.md)
- [Justice Manual § 3-8.450 Grand Jury Reporting](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S3-8.450.md)
- [Justice Manual § 3-8.520 Expenses Incurred on Behalf of Indigent Defendants](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S3-8.520.md)
- [Justice Manual § 3-8.550 Expenses Requiring Prior Authorization](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S3-8.550.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S3-8.232. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.