Escort Screening Courtesies
The program provides a Department of State escort officer for cabinet ministers and above, their accompanying spouses and children under the age of twelve, who are not already being escorted by a United States Secret Service or Diplomatic Security Service protective detail departing the U.S. The rank of cabinet minister should be equivalent to the rank of Cabinet Secretary in the United States Government, e.g., the Secretary of State or the Secretary of Defense. Members of the delegation accompanying the escorted official will be subject to customary screening.
The Escort Screening Courtesies Program addresses departures from designated U.S. airports and does not affect the “Expedited Port Courtesies” program for arriving dignitaries administered by the Office of Protocol. Therefore, missions requesting a protective detail from the United States Secret Service or Diplomatic Security Service through the “Expedited Port Courtesies” program should not also request courtesy escorts through the Escort Screening Courtesies Program administered by the Office of Foreign Missions.
NOTE: If the dignitary is traveling with armed security, please do not submit a request for escort screening courtesies; instead, contact Diplomatic Security’s Protective Liaison office at (202)895-3600. Also, please do not submit a request for a head of state traveling under Secret Service protection, as the Secret Service will provide the escort officer.
Questions concerning escort screening courtesies should be directed to OFM at (202)895-3500 x 4.
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