Vienna Convention on Consular Relations - 1963 - Text

Sep 25, 2026

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Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, adopted in Vienna on 24 April 1963 and entered into force on 19 March 1967, establishes the legal framework governing consular relations between states. It defines key terms such as consular posts, consular districts, consular officers, employees, staff categories, consular premises, and consular archives. It also sets out how consular relations are established by mutual consent and how consular functions are exercised by consular posts and diplomatic missions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages29

Reading Time1 h 13 min

AccessFree to download

Article 1

Definitions

CHAPTER I. CONSULAR RELATIONS IN GENERAL

SECTION I. ESTABLISHMENT AND CONDUCT OF CONSULAR RELATIONS

Article 2

Establishment of consular relations

Article 3

Exercise of consular functions

Article 4

Establishment of a consular post

Article 5

Consular functions

Vienna Convention on Consular Relations 1963 Done at Vienna on 24 April 1963. Entered into force on 19 March 1967. United Nations , Treaty Series , vo 1. 596, p. 261 Copyright © United Nations Vienna Convention on Consular Relations Done at Vienna on 24 April 1963 The States Parties to the present Convention , Recalling that consular relations have been established between peoples since ancient times , Having in mind the Purposes and Principles of the Charter of the United Nations concerning the sovereign equality of States , the maintenance of international peace and security, and the promotion of friendly relations among nations , Considering that the United Nations Conference on Diplomatic Intercourse and Immunities adopted the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations which was opened for signature on 18 April 1961 , Believing that an international convention on consular relations, privileges and immunities would also contribute to the development of friendly relations among nations , irrespective of their differing constitutional and social systems , Realizing that the purpose of such privileges and immunities is not to benefit individuals but to ensure the efficient performance of functions by consular posts on behalf of their respective States , Affirming that the rules of customary international law continue to govern matters not expressly regulated by the provisions of the present Convention , Have agreed as follows: Article 1 Definitions 1. For the purposes of the present Convention , the following expressions shall have the meanings hereunder assigned to them: (a) “consular post”means any consulate-general, consulate, vice-consulate or consular agency; (b) “consular district”means the area assigned to a consular post for the exercise of consular functions; (c) “head of consular post”means the person charged with the duty of acting in that capacity; (d) “consular officer”means any person , including the head of a consular post, entrusted in that capacity with the exercise of consular functions; (e) “consular employee”means any person employed in the administrative or technical service of a consular post ; (f) “member of the service staff”means any person employed in the domestic service of a consular post ; (g) “members of the consular post”means consular officers , consular employees and members of the service staff; (h) “members of the consular staff”means consular officers , other than the head of a consular post, consular employees and members of the service staff; (i) “member of the private staff”means a person who is employed exclusively in the private service of a member of the consular post ; (j) “consular premises”means the buildings or parts of buildings and the land ancillary thereto , irrespective of ownership, used exclusively for the purposes of the consular post ; (k) “consular archives” includes all the papers , documents, correspondence , books , films , tapes and registers of the consular post, together with the ciphers and codes , the card-indexes and any article of furniture intended for their protection or safe keeping. 2. Consular officers are of two categories , namely career consular officers and honorary consular officers . The provisions of Chapter II of the present Convention apply to consular posts headed by career consular officers , the provisions of Chapter III govern consular posts headed by honorary consular officers . 3. The particular status of members of the consular posts who are nationals or permanent residents of the receiving State is governed by article 71 of the present Convention. CHAPTER I. CONSULAR RELATIONS IN GENERAL SECTION I. ESTABLISHMENT AND CONDUCT OF CONSULAR RELATIONS Article 2 Establishment of consular relations 1. The establishment of consular relations between States takes place by mutual consent. 2. The consent given to the establishment of diplomatic relations between two States implies,

FAQs

When was the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations adopted and when did it enter into force?

It was done at Vienna on 24 April 1963 and entered into force on 19 March 1967.

How are consular relations established between states?

Consular relations are established by mutual consent between states.

What are consular functions under the Convention?

Consular functions include protecting the sending state's interests and nationals, promoting friendly relations through various fields, and ascertaining and reporting lawful conditions and developments in the receiving state's commercial, economic, cultural, and scientific life.

Sep 25, 2026

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